Commanders QB Sam Howell: Fantasy Football 'Sleeper'?

Could Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell emerge as a sharp fantasy football quarterback?

Fantasy football fanatics have kept a close eye on NFL organized team activities, as rankings develop for the 2023 season. Looking for a relatively unknown or almost-forgotten player who unexpectedly emerges to blow up the scoreboard... Which players could become as "sleepers" this season?

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell is among Sports Illustrated's "sleeper" quarterback picks for 2023:

"Howell has been handed the starting job in Year 2," SI writes. "The Commanders aren’t short of weapons in the passing game, either, with a strong trio in Terry McLaurin, sleeper Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. Howell is an accurate passer with good arm strength, and he’s also mobile. In fact, he rushed for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns in his final collegiate season."

Despite coach Ron Rivera committing to a "quarterback competition" between Howell and veteran Jacoby Brissett, all signs point to Howell being the starter on Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.

In Howell's lone start of the season, he threw and ran for a touchdown in a 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. A fifth-round pick in 2022, the Commanders believe Howell could be their long-term answer at QB. 

Offensively in 2022, Washington ranked 24th in the NFL in points, averaging 18.9 points per game. The Commanders return running backs Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson and receivers Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson.

However, hopes are high for an improvement in 2023, largely thanks to new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. 

Bieniemy was the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2018-2022. In that span, quarterback Patrick Mahomes developed into one of the best in football, leading the Chiefs to two Super Bowl titles.

If Howell could pick up a fraction of Mahomes and Bieniemy's energy, he will certainly be a sleeper for the upcoming season.

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