Brian Baldinger is one of the best NFL analysts you’ll find. The former NFL offensive lineman is an analyst for multiple outlets covering the NFL and the NFL draft, including the NFL Network, Audacy and FOX Sports.
During the NFL season, Baldinger is one the best Twitter follows you’ll find with his “Baldy’s Breakdowns,” where he puts out multiple clips of each NFL game from the week before and offers his analysis, often praising players for both teams.
On Thursday, Baldinger joined the “Grant and Danny” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington to discuss the 2023 NFL draft and the Washington Commanders.
First, Baldinger was asked about Washington’s need on the offensive line. Baldinger felt like the Commanders upgraded the line with the additions of Nick Gates and Andrew Wylie, but there is still room to add more help in the trenches.
Baldinger then talked about the tight end position:
“Could you upgrade the tight end position?” Baldinger asked. “Logan Thomas is there, I think John Bates is still there. There’s tight ends in this draft. Dalton Kincaid……[would] upgrade that position and have a much better offense and help Sam Howell, or Jacoby Brissett, your quarterback position.”
Baldinger is a big fan of Kincaid.
“I do think Kincaid is special,” Baldinger said. “The way that he runs routes. You can’t compare anyone to [Travis] Kelce, But when you watch him run, watch him run routes, that’s kinda who he reminds you of. He’s a big guy that runs really well, got a big range, can go up and get the football; he runs like a wide receiver. Those guys, really smooth, really smooth in and out of breaks, just the way that he sets guys up, the way that he attacks, he looks different. He looks different than all of the other guys. Classic flex tight end.”
Again, Baldinger wasn’t saying Kincaid is the next Kelce. Just offering some of the similarities between the two, something Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy would know all about.
Baldinger’s most interesting comments were related to Washington’s quarterback situation in comparison to the other NFC East quarterbacks.
“It’s just the fact that they’re so entrenched, seemingly, with Sam Howell,” he said.
“Now, they drafted him; they saw him in practice every day in the meetings. They saw him start a game. But you know, you’re going into the division with the highest-priced quarterback in football right now and a guy that took the team to the Super Bowl in Jalen Hurts. We kinda know what Dak is in Dallas and what Dallas thinks about Dak. And the Giants basically just have Daniel Jones a new contract. So, you’re competing in the division against those guys, and Daniel Jones won a playoff game last year. It’s just kind of a head-scratcher that they’re so in love with Sam Howell, knowing what it takes to win in this league, especially in this division right now.”
There is some truth in Baldinger’s answer. Yes, Howell is unproven. But after being burned by the Carson Wentz experiment last season, the Commanders weren’t getting a difference-making veteran at quarterback this offseason for multiple reasons, including cost.
Howell has plenty of talent, and, for once, Washington is doing the right thing. Surround a young quarterback with talent and see if he can deliver. You will know this season if Howell is the future quarterback or not. If he isn’t, you look for a young passer again in 2024.
The Commanders are banking on a strong running game and terrific weapons at wide receiver to help Howell in 2023.