Film Room: The Steelers find great value in developmental QB Will Howard
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the 6th Round of last week’s NFL draft, giving them a young quarterback they can look to develop as a potential starter down the road.
Howard led the Buckeyes to the college national championship last season. In their four post-season games, which Ohio State won by an average of 17.5 points per contest, Howard was at his best. He completed 76% of his passes, averaged 287 yards per game, and threw eight touchdown passes. Howard’s completion percentage was 73% on the season, while his touchdown-to-interception ratio was 35:10. Howard, who stands 6’5 and weighs 235 pounds, also ran the ball for seven touchdowns, and was an effective ball-carrier in short-yardage situations.
Ohio State’s offense under coordinator Chip Kelly asked Howard to throw a good amount of RPOs and quick screens, and he was often moved out of the pocket on bootlegs and roll-outs. But Howard attacked the middle of the field as well. He has shown an ability to stand in the pocket and go through his progressions, and he is not afraid to attack tight windows in coverage. Howard puts enough velocity on the ball to make those throws, and his arm strength allows him to complete routes to the far side of the field, too.
Howard needs to improve on his deep ball. He possesses sufficient arm strength to make these throws but needs to develop better touch. He must also speed up his process in the pocket, where he can hold the ball too long at times. Howard had one of the best supporting casts in the country at OSU, and some scouts wondered if his success this past season was a product of the talent disparity the Buckeyes often enjoyed over their opponents. That, and the fact Howard had just one elite season in college, caused him to slide into the sixth round.
As a sixth-round pick, though, the Steelers should get great value from Howard. Assuming Aaron Rodgers winds up the starter this season, and Mason Rudolph is his backup, Howard will not have to play much, if at all. That will give him time to develop. The Steelers won’t count on him to be their starter in 2026, and will surely look to draft one of the quarterbacks coming out in that heralded class. But Howard may find himself in the mix for a starting job. He’s been an underdog before and has overcome long odds to find success. It wouldn’t be shocking if he did it again in Pittsburgh.
For my film room on Howard, check the link below:
Ok, I lied. Will Howard film room is not coming tomorrow. I like this pick so much for the Steelers I had to get it out now! @FFSNSteelCity
WILL HOWARD FILM ROOM pic.twitter.com/ys9huTyn24
— Kevin Smith (@KTSmithFFSN) April 29, 2025
For more of my work, follow me on X @KTSmithFFSN, and tune into my “Call Sheet Daily” podcast, which runs Monday-Friday mornings on most major platforms.
I’m just here so I don’t get fined, and little bro specifically encouraged participation and comments.
Do quarterbacks generally develop better touch on long balls after they get to the NFL? It really seems to be a great value, and hardly any downside taking him in the 6th round. It may be presumptuous, but how does Howard’s tape, skill set, and intangibles compare him to a Brock Purdy. Does Howard have traits, or just his predraft profile, that say he’s either ahead of or behind where Purdy, or Kenny Pickett was before entering the NFL?
I am glad that the Steelers drafted Howard. It’s a point of contention on this site but I still believe that teams should draft a QB every year until the find “the guy”. The Steelers did just that in this draft. Is Will Howard a potential franchise QB? Probably not. Still, he was there in the 6th and has some nice traits. You never know.
Next year the QBs will likely be Mason Rudolph, a newly picked guy, and Will Howard. Rudolph is what he is but that’s two young QBs who have a chance. Guess what, do it again in 2027. That will leave the 2026 guy (who will have a year of experience), Will Howard (who will have two years of experience), and the 2027 guy. That’s three chances of finding a franchise QB. Given the randomness associated with QBs working out, the more chances the better if you ask me.
100% agree on keep “him” till you find “him”.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s the Steelers shuold take their time molding and developing Will Howard since Mason Rudolph is the starting quarterback
Some interesting feedback on Howard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv_Tkhm_gZg&t=3476s
Everyone has an opinion around this time of year.
I think some takeaways about Howard are his inconsistencies, and being surrounded with so much ascendant talent that his opponents did not consistently have and how he produced with that talent. There are also questions about his throwing; how “good” are his actual throws? Are they tight and precise? Is he making good decisions and execution?
He has shown that he can lead a team when it counts (his so called “Lin-sanity ” run through the playoffs last year). He also has the physical tools ( you can’t coach size).
Bottom line is this is a 6th round QB pick, that needs a fair amount of work. Can the Steelers develop him? That’s the big question. I’m excited to see, but not all that hopeful. Definitely worth a 6th round flyer. You can’t find a new QB without bringing in new QBs.
Agree completely. I have doubts that many people really think that Will Howard will ever amount to much other than being a decent back-up. Even that’s probably a bit iffy. Still, he played for a big time program in big time games and that has to be worth something. It’s not like this is Chris Oladokun that they are making an investment in.
Agreed. If Howard achieves Charlie Batch-level reserve standing, that would be good. Let Arth earn his keep.
I’d have been fine with the Steelers taking him in the 4th, so getting him in the 6th feels like a bargain.
Even if he’s never anything more than a solid backup, that’s good value in the 6th round. If he’s anything more than that, it’s total gravy.