Sam Howell Traded

[mredskins]

Commanders get: 2024 third-round pick and 2024 fifth-round pick
Seahawks get: Howell, 2024 fourth-round pick, 2024 sixth-round pick

Commanders' grade: B
Seahawks' grade: B+

The Seahawks started the day with only Geno Smith under contract at quarterback. Now the Seahawks have a potential challenger to Smith as their starting QB.

A fifth-rounder in the 2022 draft, Howell played 17 games for the Commanders last season. In an odd twist, he netted one draft asset (No. 78 overall) that is higher than his original draft slot (No. 144).

After a red-hot start, Howell faded down the stretch before being benched for Jacoby Brissett, only to return to action after an injury to the veteran.

Howell ended the season with 21 touchdown passes to 21 interceptions, was sacked 65 times and completed 63.4% of his passes for a QBR of 42.4 -- No. 24 in the league. An offense marred by poor offensive line play and Howell's inexperience ultimately led to a complete regime change in Washington.

Now he's in Seattle, where new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb may be looking to spice up the offense.

Smith, returning for his third season as Seattle's starter, was No. 23 in the league in air yards per attempt at 7.0 yards. Grubb, who comes to the Seahawks from the University of Washington, loves the deep ball. Interestingly enough, Howell's QBR of 98.2 on outside deep routes was fourth best in the league. Fun fact: Smith had the NFL's worst QBR in the same situations (2.6).

If Grubb plans to bring his three-wide, vertical offense from Washington to the Seahawks, Howell's deep ball touch and power are actually good fits.

For Washington, all signs should now firmly point to selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall if they didn't already.

The Commanders signed veteran Marcus Mariota and have Jake Fromm on the roster. With the second overall pick in a draft that could potentially have four quarterbacks selected in the top 10, GM Adam Peters can go get his quarterback. And he now has some extra draft capital to build a team around that signal-caller, as this trade gives Washington six of the top 100 picks.

And maybe, just maybe, that's enough draft capital to entice Chicago to switch places so the Commanders can pick hometown quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall? -- Miller