When Eric Bieniemy took over because the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator in 2023, many had excessive hopes he might flip round a crew that ranked twentieth and twenty fourth in whole yards and factors per recreation in 2022, respectively. This didn’t come to fruition because the Commanders took a step again in each classes.
Regardless of the crew’s statistical regression, the offensive technique shifted to a extra pass-heavy method, with the full variety of passes growing from 554 to 636 from the season earlier than. The first beneficiary of the passing surplus was former Commanders quarterback Sam Howell. Whereas the elevated quantity of passes propelled him to a top-12 quarterback end in end-of-season fantasy rankings, his efficiency was marred by inefficiency. He averaged a meager 6.4 yards per try on his 612 passes, with a landing to interception ratio of 21:21.
In a stunning transfer, the Commanders opted to commerce Howell to Seattle this offseason, receiving a pair of draft picks in return. This choice was made with the intention of getting Howell function a backup to the incumbent starter, Geno Smith. In consequence, the query arises — ought to we think about dropping Howell in dynasty leagues?
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Sam Howell’s standing as a drop candidate is a posh choice. He won’t provide far more in single-QB codecs than being a roster-clogger and might comfortably be dropped you probably have no less than two respectable starters. Nonetheless, the scenario turns into much less clear in Superflex and greatest ball codecs, the place his potential worth and the shortage of beginning quarterbacks might come into play.
He is arrived.#GoHawks x @Delta pic.twitter.com/BDshpEgbne
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 15, 2024
In greatest ball, Howell’s potential worth could be thought-about if there are not any different engaging choices on the waiver wire. In 2023, there have been 66 particular person quarterbacks to begin no less than one recreation. Whereas that quantity might sound excessive, it is really down from 2022, once we noticed 68.
Geno Smith is the projected starter and doubtless will likely be at some stage in the season except he’s injured or takes one other step again in a new-look Ryan Grubb offense. Smith was glorious in 2022, however that was underneath the route of Dave Canales, who’s seemingly on a conflict path to resurrect quarterbacks’ careers.
In 2023, Smith turned again right into a pumpkin and was extra of the participant we keep in mind from earlier in his profession. The door would possibly nonetheless be open for Howell to get his palms on the Seahawks offense, and he would possibly present some worth in greatest ball if he can accomplish that.
In Superflex, I am completely holding Howell if I’ve area for him on my bench. Whereas he underperformed in 2023, the previous Tar Heel no less than confirmed flashes of competency and wasn’t a zero within the speeding class, both. Howell ranked within the high 10 amongst quarterbacks in speeding yards final season (263) and tied for third in speeding touchdowns with Lamar Jackson and Desmond Ridder (5).
Moreover, that is nonetheless a really younger participant at simply 23 years outdated, whereas Smith will enter his twelfth season within the NFL at 33. My expectations are low for Howell getting into this season. Nonetheless, in Superflex codecs, he might enable you to win every week or two if he cracks the beginning lineup with a trio of large receivers vastly extra gifted than his earlier teammates in Washington. In case you have the area, you are good to carry him — for now, contemplating his age and potential in Superflex.
Wednesday work. @Sam7Howell ➡️ @jaxon_smith1 pic.twitter.com/p8bGelSNzE
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) May 23, 2024
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