Commanders QB Sam Howell: Fantasy Football Sleeper?

The Washington Commanders are rolling the dice with second-year quarterback Sam Howell, and if you do the same in fantasy football this season then you could be rewarded.

Fantasy Football is one of the most popular games in the world these days and while the Washington Commanders are more focused on the real thing, they’re performances on the field can either help or hurt some of the fans who draft their favorite burgundy and gold players every season. 

This year, Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin is the clear favorite to be the best member of this squad for your fantasy roster. 

But there are several players in Washington who could produce well above their draft position. 

These players are often referred to as sleepers in the fantasy football world, and one that isn’t getting a whole lot of buzz right now is quarterback Sam Howell, who is one of three in his position you should keep an eye on according to 33rd Team.

“Will he be the starting quarterback in Washington long term? I don’t know,” says 33rd Team. “But I can tell you he’s got a lot of weapons around him in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel. He’s got a new OC in Eric Bieniemy and a strong running game behind Brian Robinson Jr. Commanders are a very mid team but I do think Sam Howell has a lot of talent and with the offensive firepower that they have he could put up some big fantasy numbers.”

Joining the list with Howell is New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and Indianapolis Colts rookie Anthony Richardson.

It’s highly possible that in every format and even in 12 team leagues if you want to take a flier on Howell you’ll be able to do so in the final rounds of your league’s draft. 

That potential presents an interesting opportunity for Commanders fans who want to flex their support of the team while still maintaining a winning approach to building their own roster. 

Last season the Chicago Bears defense surrendered the most passing yards per play in the NFL, and this year Washington will host that defense in Week 5 - albeit it likely improved from their own offseason moves. 

Week 5 also happens to be the first week of byes on the schedule, so those with Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson or Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert at the top of their roster might want to consider stashing Howell as a one-week fill-in. 

Of course, these projections are coming ahead of training camp and the NFL Preseason, and the more the football world gets to see Howell on the field the more they begin to believe in his once first-round potential.

Find David Harrison on the Locked On Commanders podcast or text him directly at (202) 760-2188.

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