With the NFL regular season still a while away, it feels like a good time to rank the Washington Commanders‘ starting quarterback Sam Howell to his contemporaries. This is a preseason ranking based on projected starters for the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
Preseason ranking of every NFL quarterback in 2023
32. Desmond Ridder, Falcons
Desmond Ridder has a lot to prove entering his second season with the Atlanta Falcons. He went 2-2 as a starter last season. He had a QBR of 49.8, two touchdowns, 708 yards passing, and completed 63.5 percent of his passes. The Falcons have a lot of offensive weapons so he has to show he can be a full-time starter this season.
31. Kenny Pickett, Steelers
It appears that Kenny Pickett is the quarterback of the future for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he has a long way to go. During his 13-game rookie season last year, he finished with 51.5 QBR, 2,404 yards passing, seven touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 63.0 completion percentage. He doesn’t have to make all-pro, but significant improvement is needed.
30. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers
It’s fair to say that Baker Mayfield has failed to live up to the expectation of being a former first-overall pick. However, it looks like he will have one more shot at being a starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Last season with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams he had a QBR of 24.5, 2,163 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and a 60.0 percent completion percentage in 12 games where he had a 2-8 record as a starter. Mayfield has big shoes to fill with Tom Brady retiring and history says he won’t be able to fill it.
29. Jordan Love, Packers
With Aaron Rodgers gone, the Green Bay Packers are Jordan Love’s team now. Love played limited snaps last season and didn’t start a single game. He had a QBR of 82.0, a 66.7 percent completion percentage, 195 yards passing, and one touchdown. He’s essentially a rookie and will have plenty of time to develop.
28. Bryce Young, Panthers
The Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the first overall pick out of Alabama. Young has all the skills to be an elite quarterback in the NFL, but as a rookie, he’s unproven and the biggest concern is his frame. He’s only 5-foot-10 and 190 lbs, which means durability and pocket presence are concerns for the rookie.
“The upside is there for the inexperienced QB, but only time will tell if Howell reaches it.”
27. Sam Howell, Commanders
Sadly, Sam Howell didn’t even crack the top-25 on this list. The Washington Commanders’ second-year quarterback comes into the season with just one start where he defeated the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the game with a completion percentage of 57.9, 169 yards passing, 35 yards rushing, one touchdown, and one interception. He also had a QBR of 46.4 in the game. The upside is there for the inexperienced QB, but only time will tell if Howell reaches it.
26. Anthony Richardson, Colts
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick and he’s easily the best dual-threat quarterback drafted this year. At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, the Flordia product has the physical tools to play the position at the NFL level. The question comes with his passing ability and his limited experience in college is why he’s as low as he is on this list.
25. Mac Jones, Patriots
This is a make-or-break year for Mac Jones. Jones has to prove to the New England Patriots that he can be their franchise guy after having a less-than-stellar year last season. His QBR was just 36.1 which was down more than 20 points last season. He also had 2,997 passing yards, 65.2 completion percentage, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
24. Deshaun Watson, Browns
Clearly, Deshaun Watson was rusty after being unable to play for a year plus off due to off-the-field issues. He was traded to Cleveland Browns and played just six games after his suspension. In those games, he had a QBR of 38.3, 1,102-yard passing, 175 yards rushing, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions.
23. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
For the past two offseasons, the Tennessee Titans have drafted quarterbacks to replace Ryan Tannehill but he’s been a steady hand for the franchise. He struggled with health but played 12 games last season. In those games he had 2,536 yards passing, a 49.1 QBR, 65.2 completion percentage, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
22. C.J. Stroud, Texans
I personally believe that C.J. Stroud is the best quarterback drafted this past year and he went to the Houston Texans with the second overall pick. Stroud has the arm talent as well as size at 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds to be an elite quarterback. As long as the Texans staff don’t hinder his development, there’s little reason to believe the Ohio State product won’t be a star.
21. Brock Purdy, 49ers
It’s hard to believe that a seventh-round pick in Brock Purdy has beaten out the former third-overall pick Trey Lance for the starting job. Last season, Purdy played in nine games for the San Fransico 49ers and stunned everyone before going down with an injury. He had a QBR of 65.6, a completion percentage of 67.1, 1,374 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions. It will be interesting to see if he can continue this play next year.
20. Daniel Jones, Giants
Before last season, Daniel Jones was looking like a bust for the New York Giants. However, Jones found his footing as a pro this past season and put up respectable numbers. He had a QBR of 60.8 as well as 3.205 yards passing, 708 yards running, 15 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns, and five interceptions.
19. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
Former Washington Commanders quarterback Kirk Cousins has had a solid run with the Minnesota Vikings since signing with the franchise. However, the elite game manager just can’t make a deep playoff run. Last season, Cousins had a QBR of 49.9, 4,547 passing yards, 65.9 completion percentage, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
18. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders
Jimmy Garoppolo gets to reunite with his former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels who’s the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders next season. Garoppolo played last season with the 49ers where he showed he’s the best game manager in the NFL. In 11 games he had a QBR of 54.3, 2,437 passing yards, 67.2 completion percentage, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
17. Kyler Murray, Cardinals
There was real debate if Kyler Murray was going to represent the Arizona Cardinals due to his current recovery from an ACL tear. However, putting veteran Colt McCoy on this list didn’t seem right because when healthy, Murray is the face of the franchise for the Cardinals.
Last season in 11 games, he had a QBR of 51.5, a completion percentage of 66.4, seven interceptions, 2,368 passing yards, 418 rushing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, and three rushing touchdowns. Murray has all the tools to be a franchise despite his short stature, he just has to show more maturity.
16. Jared Goff, Lions
Despite having one of the best seasons of his career, the Detroit Lions still drafted Hendon Hooker in the third round. However, if Jared Goff continues to put up the stats from last year, it will be impossible for Detriot to bench him. Last season he had a QBR of 61.1, 4,438 passing yards, 65.1 completion percentage, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
15. Russell Wilson, Broncos
Legacy helped Russell Wilson not drop any lower than what he is on this list. Last season was easily the worst in Wilson’s career and first year with the Denver Broncos. He had a QBR of 36.7, 3,524 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 60.5. Hopefully, the future Hall of Famer will bounce back with new head coach Sean Payton taking the reins of the Broncos.
14. Derek Carr, Saints
After playing all of his career with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Derek Carr found a new home with the New Orleans Saints. Carr has had a very good career overall but struggled last season. He had a QBR of 55.5, 3,522 passing yards, 60.8 completion percentage, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The Saints have a more solid overall team so he should bounce back.
13. Matthew Stafford, Rams
Injuries derailed Matthew Stafford last season, but the season before he won a Super Bowl so it certainly helped him in these rankings. The Los Angeles Rams need Stafford to return to his Super Bowl season form because they can’t afford for him to repeat his performance from last year. Last season, he had a QBR of 50.3, 68.0 completion percentage, 2,087 yards passing, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in nine games.
12. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
If it wasn’t for health concerns, Tua Tagovailoa would have been in the top 10 of these rankings. When healthy, Tagavailoa and the Miami Dolphins were one of the better teams in the NFL as he had a record of 8-5. Last season, he had a QBR of 68.8, a completion percentage of 64.8, 3,548 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. If he can stay healthy, expect him to be higher on the next rankings.
11. Geno Smith, Seahawks
Geno Smith was a journeyman for most of his career being a backup, however, the former West Virginia product shined with the Seattle Seahawks last year. The first-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in completion percentage at 69.8. He also had a QBR of 60.8, 4,282 passing yards, 366 rushing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and 11 interceptions.
10. Justin Fields, Bears
Despite having one of the worst rosters in the NFL built around him, Justin Fields has improved during his two seasons with the Chicago Bears. The duel-threat QB had a great second season. He finished with a QBR of 54.0, a 60.4 completion percentage, 2,242 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 1,143 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns. His upside is unlimited and the Bears need to give him the weapons
9. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Outside of this past season, Dak Prescott has been a low turnover machine, and with a new person calling plays for the Dallas Cowboys his turnover problem shouldn’t be an issue. Last season in 12 games, he had a QBR of 57.9, 66.2 completion percentage, 2,860 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
One can argue that despite the fact that Trevor Lawrence just finishing his second Jacksonville Jaguars, the young quarterback is arguably a top-5 QB in franchise history. Last season, he had a QBR of 54.5, a completion percentage of 66.3, 4,113 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions, 291 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns.
7. Aaron Rodgers, Jets
Just like Brett Favre before him, Aaron Rodgers left the Green Bay Packers for the New York Jets this offseason. Last season was easily the worst of Rodgers’ career, but the change of scenery could help him bounce back. Last season, the 39-year-old veteran had a QBR of 39.3, a 64.6 completion percentage, 3,695 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
6. Justin Herbert, Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the budding stars in the NFL in Justin Herbert. The third-year pro has been the only reason why the Charges have been relevant in Los Angeles. Last season, Herbert had a QBR of 58.2, a completion percentage of 68.2, 4,739 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
5. Jalen Hurts, Eagles
Jalen Hurts had one of the best wide receiving groups this past season and it helped him lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl. Hurts appears to be the guy in Philadelphia and the stats back up that assertion. Last year, he had a QBR of 66.4, a completion percentage of 66.5, 3,701 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 760 rushing yards, and 13 rushing touchdowns.
4. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Despite health being an issue for Lamar Jackson the past two seasons, the former MVP is still the best running-threat QB in the game. In just 12 games for the Baltimore Ravens, Jackson had a QBR of 59.1, a completion percentage of 62.3, 2,242 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions, 764 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns.
3. Joe Burrow, Bengals
Considering that Joe Burrow just finished his third season and he’s already a top-3 QB in the NFL is unique. The Cincinnati Bengals were able to reach a Super Bowl two years ago as a result of Burrow’s skills. Last season, Burrow had a QBR of 58.7, 68.3 completion percentage, 4,475 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 257 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns.
2. Josh Allen, Bills
In terms of having a complete game, one can argue that Josh Allen has it. As a result, the Buffalo Bills have been a contender for most of his career. Last season he had a QBR of 71.4, a completion percentage of 63.3, 4,238 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 762 rushing yards, and seven rushing touchdowns.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
The Washington Commanders were able to steal Patrick Mahomes’ former offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy. However, Mahomes will always make the Kansas City Chiefs a contender as Mahomes is on his way to becoming an All-Time great. He already has won two Super Bowls and has two NFL regular season MVPs as well as two Super Bowl MVPs.
The elite passer is still only 27 years old on top of those awards so he has plenty of time to build on that resume. Last season he had an NFL-best 77.6 QBR, 41 passing touchdowns, and 5,250 passing yards. He also had a completion percentage of 67.1, 12 interceptions, 358 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns.
Do you agree with these rankings? How much higher do you think the Washington Commanders’ QB can claim in these ranking next season? Comment below with your thoughts.