A sixth-round quarterback in today’s NFL might not generate much buzz as a possible franchise quarterback, or even a serviceable starter, but Ohio State’s Will Howard, who came off the board to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round at No. 185 overall, could be different.
Howard is coming off a national championship season with the Buckeyes and played quite well in the 12-team College Football Playoff, taking his game to another level to lead Ohio State to the top of the mountain.
While there were some concerns about his arm strength and accuracy going into the draft, Howard projected as a guy who can process quickly, is big and strong, and can function in play-action passing attacks. That fits Pittsburgh pretty well, and the Steelers were ecstatic to get him in the sixth round.
For now, he projects as the QB3 behind the presumed starter in Aaron Rodgers (once he signs), and Mason Rudolph. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe believes that with all Howard brings to the table, though, he can eventually succeed as quarterback of the Steelers.
“Howard played his best ball in the College Football Playoff to lead Ohio State to the national championship, so he’s got the requisite moxie to play for a proud Steelers franchise against a grueling AFC North schedule,” Howe writes of Howard in his rankings of QBs that can be successful out of the 2025 NFL Draft. “At 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, Howard also has plus size to play in that tough division. The Steelers want to run the ball and play strong defense, taking as much off their quarterback’s shoulders as possible.
“With wideout DK Metcalf, tight end Pat Freiermuth and receiver George Pickens (until/unless he’s traded), Howard will have weapons, and the offensive line has improved.”
On paper, Howard is stepping into a good situation with weapons around him for the foreseeable future in wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Pat Freiermuth, fellow rookie running back Kaleb Johnson, and a young offensive line that should get better moving forward.
Arthur Smith is a sound offensive coordinator, too, one who can accentuate a quarterback’s strengths.
Add the moxie and clear confidence that Howard brings, and it could be a good recipe for success, should Howard develop into a starting quarterback and get a chance in Pittsburgh.
Even if he does, Howe has some concerns about Howard.
“While Howard was great down the stretch, he was playing on easy mode for the most talented team in the nation. It’s not always clear how much credit a college quarterback deserves under those circumstances,” Howe writes. “Spinning it forward, there’s no telling when or if Howard will see the field because no one can predict how much longer Rodgers will play.
“Plus, the Steelers could draft another quarterback in 2026 to stifle Howard’s path to the lineup.”
As a sixth-round pick, there’s no guarantee Howard ever gets that shot as a starting quarterback in the Steel City. Heck, the Steelers might even swing big in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on the QB position, which many project to have a great QB class once again.
The arm strength limitations might hinder Howard some, too.
But he has the confidence, the swagger, the toughness and the leadership abilities to have a real chance at succeeding, especially in Pittsburgh. Time will tell.
