The 2023 NFL Season is here, and the Music City Drive In is getting you ready. Check back each day from now until September 3 as we look at each team and make award and playoff predictions. Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments.

The Commanders were the only team in the NFC East not to qualify for the playoffs. While it’s easy to think of them as a last-place team, it wasn’t as bad as you might remember. The Commanders went 8-8-1, avoiding a losing season for the first time in Ron Rivera’s tenure as Head Coach. And that came despite uneven quarterback play. The question is whether they can take a step forward in 2023.

Off-Season Changes

The Commanders overhauled the quarterback unit this off-season after an unsatisfying 2022. Veteran Carson Wentz, acquired last off-season, was released and remains a free agent. Veteran Taylor Heinicke, who stepped in as starter frequently the past few seasons, departed in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons, where he’ll be a primary backup behind Desmond Ridder. The team did sign veteran Jacoby Brissett to provide some depth and experience in the new quarterback room.

In the draft, the Commanders spent their first two picks improving the secondary. In the First Round, the team took cornerback Emmanuel Forbes and in the Second Round the team snagged safety Jartavius Martin. In the next two rounds, the focus was on the offensive line. In the Third Round, the team took center Ricky Stromberg while in the Fourth Round the Commanders snagged a guard in Braeden Daniels.

Fantasy Impact

At quarterback, the team is turning over the reins to second-year quarterback Sam Howell. Howell started a single game in 2022 after being the team’s Fifth Round pick in the 2022 Draft. He went 11-for-19 for 169 yards, a touchdown and an interception. What will he do as the starter? That’s the big question. For now, he’s a QB3 for me.

In the backfield, the Commanders found a groove using Brian Robinson, Jr., and Antonio Gibson to end 2022. With veteran J.D. McKissic no longer on the team, that pair figures to be the go-to in the backfield again. Gibson was RB28 and Robinson was RB43 last season. I think Robinson is more of the pounder, while Gibson is more explosive. I like Gibson as an RB3 again, with Robinson as an RB3/4.

In the passing game, the team has three strong receivers in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. Their fate for fantasy will depend on how Howell develops. McLaurin finished as WR14 a year ago and figures to be a WR2. Dotson has the biggest variability, but I think he’ll take a step forward in 2023. I think Dotson and Samuel will both have flex value. At tight end, veteran Logan Thomas figures to be the primary option, but he’s a low-end TE2 for me.

Prediction

Washington was fourth in the NFC East in 2022 and I think they’ll be there again. The team was competitive and finished at .500. That’s probably about right if Howell is what the team hopes. If not, it could be a really long season for the Commanders. I’m leaning toward a long season, followed by some off-season changes.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.