The Washington Commanders made a flurry of transactions during the first week of free agency to improve their 2024 lineup. So far, Washington has signed 14 external free agents while retaining only three of its own. The Commanders have allowed several starters to leave, including Curtis Samuel, Kendall Fuller, and Kam Curl.
Last week, the Commanders sent 2023 starting quarterback Sam Howell to the Seattle Seahawks in a pick swap. Washington traded a fourth and sixth-round pick to the Seahawks for a third and fifth-round pick.
Considering the returns three teams received for trading their former first-round picks this week, general manager Adam Peters received an excellent return for the 2022 fifth-round pick.
How did others grade Washington’s return for Howell? Commanders Wire and others graded the Howell trade from the Commanders’ perspective.
We are big fans of Sam Howell and remain convinced he can be an NFL starting quarterback. But, if nothing else, he will have a long career as a backup. Let’s view this from Peters’ perspective. Howell had value. Peters knew he had value and used that value to add more to Washington’s 2024 draft arsenal, which now is up to six picks in the top 100 in next month’s draft. Howell also has a chance to push Geno Smith in Seattle. If you have
When Seahawks general manager John Schneider spoke about Howell, it was clear that he saw him as a long-term NFL starting quarterback. The Commanders were always going quarterback at second overall. It became more apparent following Howell’s move. In exchange, Peters receives another pick, which can help Washington surround a rookie quarterback with more
Sure, Commanders General Manager Adam Peters had a role in every move this offseason, but here was his moment to shine, and boy, did he deliver. Remember, Howell was a fifth-round pick, and Peters was able to get both a third- and a fifth-round pick from the Seahawks. That is in no way saying he robbed the ‘Hawks, as it took two Washington picks to help seal the deal, but it’s a great sign Peters knew just how much he could get for Howell and now, the Commanders have an extra third-rounder, even if it’s the last pick in Round 3. I would’ve preferred to have seen Howell stay, but it’s clear this move signifies a QB going at No. 2 overall, and Howell has shown he has starting capability in the NFL. Trading Howell, especially to Seattle where Geno Smith’s contract can be cut loose after this season, gives him a realistic shot at continuing to play starting football in the NFL. In all, it’s a trade that benefits both sides in the short- and long-term, which is as good as an NFL trade can get.
The fact that Washington was able to deal Howell for what amounts to an early fourth-round pick (according to the draft pick value chart) is very good. The Commanders only spent a fifth on Howell, and Mariota’s signing indicated that Howell was not a part of their future. The Patriots had to settle for a sixth-round pick in exchange for 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones, while the Falcons traded 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder for a backup wide receiver with an expiring contract. However, other teams were Howell is viewed as a project quarterback who has the potential to develop into a quality starter. (Howell was predicted as a late first-round quarterback following his junior season, but he chose to stay in school and slid to the 2022 draft). Denver was one of those teams, according to two league sources who were briefed on the negotiations. That boosted the Commanders’ asking price.
The Commanders advanced by trading Howell for a third and a fifth. By getting those additional selections, the Commanders may continue to prepare for the future while the Seahawks contend in the NFC West now.
Howell was brave in his first start, and he would’ve formed an excellent emergency plan under center while still being young enough to make decisions. But the Commanders were always going to replace him with a high-end investment this offseason, most likely around the top of the draft. Getting the rough equivalent of a fourth-round pick for him through the pick exchange is good value, especially when new No. 2 Marcus Mariota and/or other veteran reserves can provide a similar level of talent.
Howell, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft, played 17 games for the Commanders last season. In a strange twist, he received one draft asset (No. 78 overall), which is higher than his original draft position (No. 144). After a red-hot start, Howell faltered down the stretch before being benched for Jacoby Brissett, only to return to action after an injury to the veteran. Howell finished the season with 21 touchdown throws and 21 interceptions, was sacked 65 times, and completed 63.4% of his passes for a QBR of 42.4, ranked 24th in the league. An offense plagued by weak offensive line play and Howell’s inexperience resulted in a total regime shift in Washington. For If Washington hasn’t already done so, all signs point to their drafting a quarterback at number two overall. The Commanders signed veteran Marcus Mariota and have Jake Fromm on their roster. With the second overall pick in a draft that may potentially feature four quarterbacks in the top ten, GM Adam Peters can go get his quarterback. And with this move, Washington now has six of the top 100 picks, giving him more draft capital to develop a squad around that signal-caller. And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough draft cash to encourage Chicago to exchange spots, allowing the Commanders to select hometown QB Caleb Williams first overall?
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