Reviewing the Commanders rookies after first six games of 2022 season

Sam Howell, QB (Round 5, No. 144 overall)

Howell shined in the preseason but he’s been inactive for most Sunday’s with Taylor Heinicke serving as Carson Wentz’s backup.

One of maybe two Washington’s draft picks who were taken with an eye on the future, Howell’s lone hope to get snaps this year might be if the Commanders’ season comes off the rails and the last couple games become meaningless.

Grade: N/A

Cole Turner, TE (Round 5, No. 149 overall)

Like Robinson, Turner played his first NFL game this past Sunday. The big-bodied tight end missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury, but has been a healthy scratch ever since with Logan Thomas and John Bates ahead of him on the depth chart.

Ron Rivera promised Turner would get his shot eventually and that came in Week 5 with Thomas (calf) sidelined). The fifth-round pick caught 10 touchdowns for Nevada and was one of Wentz’s favorite targets during red zone drills at camp. He’s someone who needs to get more playing time as the season wears on.

That happened in Week 6 with Thomas shelved again and John Bates leaving the game early with a hamstring injury. Turner hauled in his first career catch on which he showcased his catch radius that had fans swooning during training camp.

The rookie even had a couple key blocks in the second half vs the Bears; an area he worked on tirelessly to get more playing time during camp.

Grade: C+ with room for improvement

Chris Paul, G (Round 6, No. 230 overall)

Paul was drafted for his versatility but has yet to see the field this season. That could change after Trai Turner was benched in Week 4 and is seemingly being slowed by the quad injury that shelved him for most of training camp. For now, an injury to Saahdiq Charles or Andrew Norwell is Paul’s only viable path to playing time.

Grade: N/A

Christian Holmes, CB (Round 7, No. 240 overall)

Holmes’ lone defensive snaps (six) came in Week 3 against the Eagles. He’s had a consistent role on special teams, logging 80 snaps entering Week 5 and made the play of the game for the Commanders on Velus Jones Jr.’s muffed punt in the fourth quarter. Holmes did excellently to wrestle the rock away from Jones. Washington took over and proceeded to score the go-ahead TD via Brian Robinson.

That doesn’t happen without Holmes.

Grade: C

Disturbing number of N/As for a team that drafted players hoping they’d contribute immediately, no? The Mathis injury and Robinson’s horrifying obstacle haven’t helped matters, but right now Dotson is the only Commanders rookie contributing on a weekly basis. Hopefully, Robinson and Turner help change that as the weeks go by.