UKHTTC: Sunday Pint & a Blog

It was a week in Washington dominated by two discussion points.

First, that the Josh Harris group bid for the Commanders will include the significant dollars of D.C Billionaire Mitchell Rales. The fact this was reported by NFL Insider Adam Schefter might well mean the Josh Harris bid is at the front of the pack. However, there is still the ready to pounce unlimited funds of Jeff Bezos to take into consideration and such wealth could likely trump any other bids.

The second discussion point is that a stud DMV QB, a certain Lamar Jackson, had the non-exclusive tag applied by the Baltimore Ravens. Despite his obvious talent, the Ravens do not want the fully guaranteed money to equate to Deshaun Watson levels. For a Commanders team who have long been in QB purgatory, this meant many level-headed Twitter fans/bloggers/podcasters lost their minds.

So, for those asleep at the back: the Washington Commanders are in ownership flux and current custodian Mr Daniel Snyder does not have the likely $200m+ for the escrow requirements.

Now, if new owners were secured and they wanted to make a bold statement, then yes, all might have been possible. My guess, however, is that Lamar Jackson will be suiting up for the Ravens in 2023 and with around $160m in guaranteed money and $42m a season on average.

Back to reality then and here at UKHTTC, we welcome you all to make yourself comfortable with a pint, and this blog, as Joshua Edwards and UKHTTC founder Christian Burt offer some thoughts on three pressing topics of the day.

Who will be the back-up QB in 2023, who needs to make a jump next season and where might the Commanders go in the draft?

First up, Josh.

Back up QB

What do you want in a backup? Ideally someone smart, who can pick up the offense, prepares well, is always ready, and who isn’t good enough to be a distraction. I love Taylor Heinicke’s story, but the last criterion precludes him, in my book. Should Howell struggle, you just know a sizeable part of this fanbase would be advocating for another chapter of the Heinicke storybook.

My preference would be for Chase Daniel, who is out of contract in the summer following another season as the backup to Justin Herbert in L.A. Daniel has made a career of the backup position, earning over $41m despite only starting 5 games since going undrafted in 2009 (Jim Zorn’s Washington signed Daniel as an undrafted free agent but later released him).

Daniel is beloved by teammates and coaches, it would be impossible to sustain such a career otherwise, and would only cost somewhere in the region of $1.5m.

Who needs a big jump in ’23?

I spent 20 minutes this afternoon trying to find my “Kam Curl will make a substantial leap in 2022” tweets but failed. You’ll have to take me at my word (keep your receipts).

This season there are a few candidates for ‘needs a big jump’. I’ll go with Sam Cosmi.

Injured twice last year, Cosmi, a second-round pick in 2021, needs to stay healthy and solidify his position on the right side of the offensive line.

Which position remains to be seen, as Cosmi has played both tackle and guard, and Rivera hinted at a permanent move to guard. Either way, the third-year pro needs to clean some things up as he allowed 5 sacks last season and his PFF grade regressed slightly from year one to year two (74.9 to 71.6).

Establishing a run game and protecting Sam Howell are probably priorities one and two for this offense and Cosmi can play a big part.

Which position in the first round?

BPA (best player available), or trade down. Boring? Maybe. Sensible? Yes.

Getting a difference maker you love, regardless of position, is the way I’d go.

I’d not rule out any position, including Quarterback, in that strategy. Obviously, there are several positions in which the team could use immediate help, including cornerback, guard, tackle, and tight end.

Should the best player on their board at 16, assuming no trades, be at one of those spots, then happy days, but I’ve always thought it would be unwise to pass over guys just because you feel comfortable at say, safety or defensive end.

Let’s not kid ourselves people, we’re not the Chiefs. We’ve not won 9 games since the 2015 season. Play the ball as it lies and go get your best rated player or trade out if you don’t think the value is there, ala the late Bobby Beathard.

And thoughts from Christian.

Back-up QB

Straight off the bat let me state this: I do not want Taylor Heinicke back in Washington.

Taylor was useful in that he knew the Scott Turner system and had the moxie to go make some daring plays when required. But it is a ship that has firmly sailed, and the team does not need a fans in the stand clamour for TH4 when the inevitable growing pains are on display for what will essentially be season one for Sam Howell under centre.

I want the back-up QB to Howell to be experienced, well-prepared for every Sunday and, in the event that Howell just isn’t the guy at NFL level, have the ability to step in and win football games.

With a passer rating of 95.2 for the Saints in 2022, step forward Andy Dalton.

The only problem here might be money, as Dalton would likely want to near-double the $3m he was paid in New Orleans. With a bit of salary restructuring around the roster, this can be easily done and would represent a smart move by the Commanders front office.

Who needs a jump in 2023?

Chase Young was the second pick and NFL defensive rookie of the year in 2020.

Unfortunately for Chase, he exited 2021 in Week 10 with a grade 3 tear that required ACL reconstruction. Viewed almost unanimously as a sure-fire hit in the NFL, the team were understandably cautious to protect a prized asset off the edge and Young only returned to action late in 2022 in Week 16 vs San Francisco.

This Washington team need a fully healed and, more importantly, 100% confident in his knee version of Chase Young. There were flashes in the three games he managed in 2022 and a good start for CY99 would be to attend OTAs. Let us also not forget that Eric Bieniemy was hired as Assistant Head Coach in Washington, not just the OC.

Eric might be exactly the fire up the ass guy that Chase needs in 2023 to fulfil the natural talent off the edge.

Which position in the first round?

Washington might have obvious needs across the OL, but I do not want the front office to get obsessed with a Guard, Centre or Tackle.

Now, that isn’t to say that if the number 1 or 2 ranked Guard is there you don’t take them, but personally I would be good with just about any position given this is a franchise which is likely to only really take off under new ownership.

The new incumbents deserve as many high-calibre and high ceiling players across the roster and if the #1 ranked WR/RB/ TE on the Washington board is still there at 16, then pull the trigger.

An example to me is stud RB Bijan Robinson. If the Commanders are serious about a run first offense, which makes sense when we essentially have a rookie QB under centre, then take that Texas Longhorn (who has College freshman familiarity with Commanders Guard/Tackle Sam Cosmi) if there at 16.

The Commanders have a generous eight picks in the 2023 NFL draft and that is plenty to avoid any reaching at pick 16 for a high floor, low ceiling guy across the OL.