Where Does Commanders Rookie Class Rank Among NFL?
After finishing last in the NFC East and missing the postseason, the Washington Commanders and their young talent left a lot to be desired in 2022. However, several rookies did become key contributors who now look to make the second-year leap.
The youth movement is strong in the NFL, with multiple rookies making major impacts in crucial moments. Unsurprisingly, the New York Jets had the best rookie class, according to NFL.com, with rookies Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson each earning a Rookie of the Year Honor.
How does the Commanders rookie class compare? Washington's 2022-23 class ranked No. 25 of the 32 teams. Here is what NFL.com said of the Commanders' rookies:
Jahan Dotson joined a Commanders team that already had a couple of strong talents in Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, yet he still managed to finish with 35 catches for 523 yards and seven touchdowns despite playing with three different quarterbacks. He didn't produce at the levels of Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson, but Dotson deserves commendation for his performance as a rookie. Phidarian Mathis' rookie season met an unfortunate end in Week 1 with a knee injury.
Brian Robinson's story is well-known at this point: He appeared set to win the starting running back job, then was shot twice in the leg. He returned to rush 205 times for 797 yards and two touchdowns, falling short of 4 yards per carry but winning the support of football fans everywhere for his journey back to the field.
Percy Butler played more on special teams than defense, but he could become a contributor as a safety in the seasons ahead. Sam Howell spent almost all of 2022 enjoying a front-row seat for the switches between Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke before receiving a chance to play in Week 18. He put on a decent showing in the win over Dallas and will enter the 2023 offseason as Washington's top quarterback, at least for now.
Now that Washington has officially cut Wentz, Howell's development will be on full show. Currently, Howell is the lone quarterback on the roster and the team has tabbed Howell as the "likely" starter.
The Commanders are currently scouting the NFL Combine in search of bettering their next class. The combine runs from Feb. 27 to March 6 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the favorite (-175) to be drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Chicago Bears own the first pick, however there are multiple quarterback-needy teams who may desire to trade up. The draft will take place at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. with the first round beginning on April 27.
Washington currently has six picks in the 2023 NFL draft, including the No. 16 overall selection.
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