Washington Commanders stock up, stock down
While things are looking up in terms of ownership, the Commanders have had a fair share of down years lately. With the team in the middle of OTAs, now seems like a good time to see how some are trending.
Stock up
Sam Howell, quarterback:
It looks like head coach Ron Rivera really believes in his fifth-round draft pick. When speaking to PFT Live in February, Riviera said, "He will most certainly get the first opportunity. We go into OTAs and minicamp, he'll be QB1. He'll fight for that position. We'll give him every opportunity to earn it, and we'll see what happens when we get into training camp and through it."
So far so good apparently. According to reports out of minicamp, Howell has looked comfortable in Eric Bieniemy’s system and he’s even made an impression on the team’s best receiver. When asked about Howell, Terry McLaurin said, "He's a really smart QB. He doesn't make too many mistakes when he's out there. He's running the show and I think he's doing a really good job of that."
Howell played well enough to beat the Cowboys late last year, and right now it looks like he’s doing enough to hold off Jacoby Brissett.
Jamin Davis, linebacker:
Taken 19th overall by Washington in 2021, Davis struggled as a rookie. He played in less than half the team’s games as he clearly wasn’t ready to be the team’s starting middle linebacker.
But 2022 was a different story. According to Pro Football Focus, Davis’ missed tackle percentage dropped from 14.3% in 2021 to 7.3% last year. His 47 tackles resulting in a defensive stop were 21 more than he registered as a rookie. With Cole Holcomb now with Pittsburgh and talented players around him, Davis has a great opportunity to make 2023 even better.
Stock down
Martin Mayhew, general manager:
Mayhew has been running the show since 2021, meaning he’s the guy who traded for Carson Wentz. While one trade doesn’t define a career, the team’s 15-18-1 record doesn’t impress either. Other than a strong defense, Mayhew doesn’t have much to hang his hat on as new ownership awaits the franchise.
Defensively, only two teams gave up fewer yards per game in 2022. Offensively, the team’s 18.9 points per game was the seventh-lowest number in the league. In spite of this, Mayhew waited until the third round of the draft to address the offense and until the sixth round to add a skill player.
Without a strong 2023 campaign, Mayhew should expect to be elsewhere in 2024.
Curtis Samuel, wide receiver:
You can’t blame Rivera for bringing Samuel over from Carolina, it just hasn’t worked out. In two years as a Commander, the 26-year-old receiver has just 70 catches for 683 yards and four touchdowns. Missing most of 2021 with an injury certainly factors in, but it’s hard to believe Samuel will be a factor in 2023.
Samuel carries a $13 million cap hit this year but just $2.4 million in dead money if he’s released after June 1. First-round pick Jahan Dotson is far less expensive and impressed with seven touchdowns as a rookie in 2022. Samuel was the team’s No. 2 receiver last year, but next year it should be Dotson.
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