NFL: Predicting the week one starting quarterback for all 32 teams
By Kyle Edmond
Washington Commanders: Taylor Heinicke
Keep in mind, week one. I don’t think Taylor Heinicke finishes the season as the starter in Washington, but he should start the season as the starting quarterback. He held down the fort in 2021 and can do the same in 2022 until their rookie is ready to take over.
Holding the 11th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders first draft pick under the new moniker could be an attempt to land their quarterback of the future in Malik Willis. Given where the Commanders will be picking, Willis could be the best option for them.
There’s still a lot of the draft process to go that will determine where quarterbacks will land and be projected. In the case of Willis, he has a similar skill set to Cam Newton, just in a smaller frame. We know the success that Ron Rivera had with Newton and he could try and replicate that with Willis.
Regardless, Willis won’t be ready to go week one making Heinicke the option to start the season. He already knows the system but it would also make sense for Willis to eventually take over for him during the season. It’s similar to what has happened to Tyrod Taylor the last two seasons, just hopefully without the injuries.