Commanders should give rookie Sam Howell a shot at QB

Washington Commanders HC Ron Rivera has not decided on a starting QB for a Week 18 home game against playoff-bound Dallas.

The Commanders (7-8-1) have little to play for after their elimination from the postseason in Week 17. So why not give rookie Sam Howell a shot?

Howell had an impressive college career at North Carolina, and heading into last year's NFL Draft was considered an early-round talent. After the Commanders took him in the fifth round (144th), he was touted as a steal by Rivera.

"We feel this was a home run for us," he said (h/t: Washington Post).

Others weren't as kind.

In a pre-2022 NFL Draft scouting report of Howell, NFL.com wrote: "Howell isn't wired for or suited to a ball-control passing attack and might need a vertical passing scheme capable of creating explosive plays in order to succeed."

In Week 17, QB Taylor Heinicke was sent to the bench because of poor play. His replacement, former starter Carson Wentz, played even worse in the loss to the Browns.

The chances of Howell becoming a franchise QB are probably slim, given that late-round picks rarely are. Should Washington find a new QB in the offseason, it's unlikely Howell will compete for a starting job in 2023.

But the Commanders drafted him for a reason. So in a game that will have no implications, Washington has zero downsides in giving him an audition.