Sunday, May 21, 2023

Washington Commanders Post-Draft 2023 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a post-draft roundup for the Washington Commanders in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 24

Most improved: Offensive coordinator

Washington hired Eric Bieniemy as its offensive coordinator, replacing Scott Turner. Bieniemy had the same role with Kansas City, but Chiefs coach Andy Reid was the primary playcaller. Bieniemy will be the primary playcaller in Washington, where the players had lost confidence in Turner. Bieniemy's adherence to details and demanding ways should be welcomed, along with his energy. In the past three years combined, the Commanders rank 28th in points and 27th in yards.

NFL.com -- Rank: 30

The Sam Howell thing might be real. The Commanders kept telling anyone who asked that they were serious about giving the 2022 fifth-round pick a chance to win the starting job in 2023, and their decision to pass on taking a quarterback in the draft proved they were serious. A Howell v. Jacoby Brissett summertime camp battle doesn't scream HIGH-LEVEL CONTENDER, but it's also fair to wonder if the organization is in a bit of a holding pattern on seismic decisions (like, say, using an early pick on a quarterback), with team ownership very much in transition. A new era in Washington football is coming ... just not yet.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 18

They have enough talent to push the Eagles, with one big caveat: Sam Howell. If he's as good as Washington thinks he can be, they will be good. If not, they will draft a quarterback next year.

USA Today -- Rank: 29

With organizational upheaval looming, they've surrendered on DE Chase Young and the quarterback position. Copious talent here in danger of being squandered.

The Athletic -- Rank: 27

Draft takeaway: Drafting the wildly undersized Emmanuel Forbes (6-foot-1, 166 pounds) at No. 16 over Gonzalez might have been the single biggest position-specific reach of the draft.

Hype man: There will never be better vibes than during the season Daniel Snyder finally sells the team. I love you, Josh Harris.

Daron Downer: How much can a full season of Sam Howell and a pair of mid-round interior offensive linemen really be expected to improve the No. 28 offense by DVOA? That's a lot to put on Eric Bieniemy's shoulders.

PFF -- Rank: 22

The Commanders added a decent starting tackle in Andrew Wylie during free agency and an upgrade at quarterback in Jacoby Brissett.

They filled their need at cornerback right away in the draft, picking Emmanuel Forbes and Jartavius Martin. Forbes put up an 87.2 PFF grade in 2022 and racked up 14 interceptions and 17 pass breakups in his college career. Another need, the offensive line, was filled by Braeden Daniels and Ricky Stromberg. Daniels may start right away, considering the Commanders' offensive line struggles in 2022 (24th-ranked unit in PFF pass-blocking grade).

PFT -- Rank: 27

I get giving Sam Howell his big chance here, and backing him up with Jacoby Brissett is okay too. But keep in mind how far this offense—which averaged 17.7 points a game in the last 16 weeks—has to go.

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