Falcons QB Desmond Ridder has teammates fired up about his leadership heading into his second season. “When he talks, you listen,” TE Jonnu Smith told The Athletic. “Having leadership qualities is the most important trait you should have as a quarterback. He has that. He’s been coming in here and working his butt off. I have nothing but great things to say about Desmond.” Those words come from a seventh-year veteran heading into his age-28 season and in his first offseason with the Falcons. Others had similar praise for Ridder, who has not only led on-field work but reportedly been organizing events with teammates away from the field. All of this could mean nothing for his in-game performance. And Taylor Heinicke stands in wait as Ridder insurance. But all signs point to the Falcons hoping that Ridder will be their guy for at least the near future. He’s a fine late shot to take in superflex drafts. Check out his spot in our superflex rankings.
When asked about the team's QB situation on Tuesday, Falcons HC Arthur Smith shared the plan is for Desmond Ridder to open training camp as the starter. Smith also spoke about QB Taylor Heinicke, the former Commanders signal-caller who inked a two-year deal with the Falcons in free agency. "The chemistry in the quarterback room is important, as we expect Desmond to take the next step," said Smith. "But we also have [Heinicke] who can go in and win you football games and be ready to play." Reading between the lines a little bit, it sounds as though this could be a camp battle in which Heinicke would have an opportunity to win the job if Ridder slips. That said, we can't put too much stock into vague statements like this in late March. We'll surely have our attention on this situation should it evolve into something more into the summer. If nothing else, dynasty managers could consider throwing out some feelers to acquire Heinicke on the cheap in superflex leagues, but that's about all there is here.
New Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke told reporters on Thursday that his goal is to be "the best backup I can be to Desmond [Ridder]." "They drafted (Ridder) high for a reason," Heinicke added. So that puts to bed any notion of a true QB competition in Atlanta. Of course, there's a chance that Ridder falters and gives way to Heinicke at some point in 2023. But Ridder is the Falcons QB to consider late in fantasy football drafts.
The Falcons have agreed to a two-year deal with QB Taylor Heinicke that could pay as much as $20 million, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That likely means Heinicke will get significant salary escalators if he winds up starting a bunch of games. More importantly, though, this might be the clearest signal that Atlanta expects to have QB Desmond Ridder starting Week 1 of 2023. The Falcons now have two QBs with NFL starting experience rostered, still more than a month ahead of the NFL Draft. We doubt this excludes the franchise from taking a QB in Round 1 of the draft, if the Falcons like a guy who gets to them. But don't bet on them angling to move up for any QB prospect. Ridder obviously has plenty to prove after just four rookie-year starts. And Heinicke looks like a two-year insurance policy. But Ridder has also been going plenty late enough in best ball ADP so far to be worth selecting as a QB3.
Commanders HC Ron Rivera announced rookie QB Sam Howell as the Week 18 starter vs. Dallas. It’ll be the 5th-round pick’s first career start. Howell's a poor bet to perform as a useful QB2, but take note that he posted 828 rushing yards -- 69 per game -- in his final season at UNC.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Commanders are expected to start QB Taylor Heinicke against Dallas in the season finale. But he adds that rookie QB Sam Howell "is also slated to play." Take this news as an admission from HC Ron Rivera that he was wrong to start Carson Wentz in the Week 17 loss to Cleveland. With Washington now eliminated from playoff contention, though, it would seem to make more sense to just play the rookie the whole way. The reported plan, of course, makes both QBs unusable in fantasy football lineups. And the whole situation adds risk to Washington pass-catchers. We're not changing our outlook for RB Brian Robinson Jr., though. Check out the adjusted Week 18 fantasy football rankings.
The Commanders will start QB Carson Wentz on Sunday against the Browns. According to multiple reports, HC Ron Rivera told the team his decision Wednesday morning. Wentz relieved Taylor Heinicke in Saturday's loss to the 49ers, completing 75% of his throws for 123 yards (7.68 per attempt) and a TD. His last start came in the Week 6 win at Chicago in which Wentz broke a finger and required surgery. Washington threw the ball a lot more with Wentz behind center, averaging 42 pass attempts across his 5 healthy outings compared with 30.1 over Heinicke's 8 full games. Of course, the offense also barely had RB Brian Robinson Jr. for that stretch. We'd expect more of a rushing lean vs. those 1st 5 weeks -- but also likely some more willingness to throw. It's not an exciting fantasy offense either way. Wentz's time this season has been bad for WR Terry McLaurin's target share. He drew just 16% over the 1st 6 games, compared with 27.8% in Heinicke's full outings.
The Commanders removed QB Taylor Heinicke from the 2nd half of Saturday's loss to the 49ers, replacing him with Carson Wentz. Heinicke completed 13 of 18 throws for 166 yards (9.2 per attempt), 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also lost a fumble. Wentz completed 12 of 16 passes for 123 yards (7.7 per attempt) and 1 TD. HC Ron Rivera told reporters after the game that he's not sure who he'll start in Week 17 against the Browns.
Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke put forth a gutsy effort, completing 17 of 28 attempts for 249 yards and 1 TD in Sunday's loss to the Giants. Heinicke also added 33 yards on the ground. A few penalties cost Heinicke and the Commanders both real-life and fantasy points, but managers that perhaps streamed the signal-caller in superflex leagues can feel okay about the results. However, Week 16 will not be an ideal time to consider Heinicke as the Commanders are preparing for a showdown against a 49ers defense that ranks as the 3rd-toughest matchup for QBs this season. You'd have to be insanely desperate or manage an injury-riddled roster to go with Heinicke next week.
Commanders QB Carson Wentz (finger) has been activated from IR. We'll see about Washington's plan at QB, but we expect QB Taylor Heinicke to at least start this weekend's game vs. the Giants. He's been up and down over the past 7 games but has led the Commanders to 5 wins. Wentz went 2-4 over the first 6 games of the season. The biggest fantasy impact here is with WR Terry McLaurin, who's been much more productive with Heinicke.
Update: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that Wentz is returning as Heinicke's backup.
Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke threw for 275 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's tie with the Giants. He found WR Terry McLaurin and WR Jahan Dotson for TDs. Heinicke threw no INTs in the game but fumbled twice, losing 1. He also took 5 sacks. Washington gets a Week 14 bye before a rematch with the Giants.
The Commanders have designated QB Carson Wentz to return to practice. That leaves 3 weeks to decide whether to activate him from IR. Wentz has been out since injuring his throwing hand in the Week 6 win at Chicago. HC Ron Rivera has recently expressed confidence in QB Taylor Heinicke, though, amid a 4-1 stretch with him behind center. Don't bet on Washington going back to Wentz until/unless the team starts losing more (barring injury, of course). Heinicke's arrival has been good for WR Terry McLaurin's target shares, but the team passing numbers are way down from where they were with Wentz: from 248.2 yards per game to 206.2.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Commanders will continue starting QB Taylor Heinicke. QB Carson Wentz is reportedly not yet ready to return from his finger injury, but the team plans to stick with Heinicke even after Wentz is ready. It makes sense. The team is 3-1 with Heinicke behind center this season, 2-4 with Wentz. The latter, however, does hold edges in TD rate, INT rate and passer rating. Heinicke leads Wentz in QBR and yards per attempt. He has also been good for WR Terry McLaurin's target counts, whereas Wentz's presence boosted Curtis Samuel.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin led the team in targets for the 2nd straight game in Sunday's loss to the Vikings. He caught 5 of 9 for 56 yards. WR Curtis Samuel beat him in receiving yards, taking his 3 catches for 65 yards and a TD. His 49-yard score accounted for most of that, though, and came on an absurd play. QB Taylor Heinicke threw a deep ball into triple coverage. One of the Minnesota CBs ran into an official, while the other 2 misplayed the ball. That allowed Samuel to make a catch going to the ground and then roll into the end zone. Heinicke totaled just 149 passing yards for the game. His other TD pass went to WR Dax Milne. Washington visits Philadelphia next Monday night.
Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke went 23-of-31 passing (74.2%) for 279 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in Sunday's win over the Colts. He also ran for Washington's other TD amid a 6-29-1 rushing day. The QB tied WR Curtis Samuel for the team lead in rushing yards. A generous Vikings pass defense awaits in Week 9, making Heinicke a potential streaming option for fantasy football lineups.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin tied WR Curtis Samuel for the team target lead (8) in Sunday's win over the Packers. That marked the 1st time this season that McLaurin didn't trail Samuel, coinciding with the 1st start for QB Taylor Heinicke in place of Carson Wentz. McLaurin caught 5 balls for 73 yards and a TD, 1 of 2 Heinicke threw. Samuel also caught 5 balls for 53 yards and added 26 rushing yards on 5 carries. Washington heads to Indy in Week 8.
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