Sam Howell

Howell ended up starting 17 games for Washington last year only because backup Jacoby Brissett injured his hamstring the week Howell was to be benched late in the season. Howell was actually a competent No. 2 fantasy QB the first half of the season, and even in Weeks 11-13 when he had 1:5 TD:INT he stayed afloat with four rushing touchdowns. But the last four games were especially dreadful -- three TDs, seven INTs, 4.7 YPA -- and sealed his fate with the Commanders. He was the only QB in the league with at least 14 starts who failed to throw more touchdowns than interceptions (21:21). The Seahawks traded for Howell in March to back up Geno Smith, which seems like an appropriate spot for the 2022 fifth-round pick. At 6-1, 220, with an above-average arm, Howell could again be useful in two-QB leagues should Smith go down, as the Seahawks have a nice group of playmakers in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker.

A 2022 fifth-round pick, Howell started one game last season for Washington -- Week 18 -- but is expected to be the Week 1 starter this year. Only free-agent acquisition Jacoby Brissett is around to challenge him for the job after the team parted ways with Taylor Heinicke and Carson Wentz. A three-year starter at North Carolina, Howell showed a quick release and above-average arm strength, with good accuracy on deep throws. At 6-1, 220, Howell is strong for a QB and capable as a runner, but he’s not especially fast and isn't likely to get many designed runs (27 of his 35 rushing yards in his lone start last year came on scrambles). Washington has a good group of wideouts for Howell to target in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel, and former Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy promises to get them the ball in space with a quick-passing game as the new OC. Howell should at least be useful in two-QB leagues if he can hold the job.

Howell had first-round buzz after putting up 38 touchdown passes as a freshman and 10.3 yards per attempt as a sophomore, but he dropped all the way to the fifth round after a disappointing junior year at UNC. He'll begin his career as the third quarterback in Washington behind new No. 1 Carson Wentz and 2021 starter Taylor Heinicke. Howell did run for 828 yards and 11 TDs last year, suggesting he might offer more mobility than the veterans ahead of him, if nothing else.