Howard goes to Steelers in 6th round after leading Ohio State to title

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 185th overall.

Howard, 23, helped guide the Buckeyes to a CFP title last season after beginning his collegiate career at Kansas State. He is the seventh quarterback selected in this draft.

The Downingtown, Pennsylvania, native passed for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2024. He also added seven rushing scores.

Howard joins a quarterback depth chart that currently features Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. The Steelers have been linked to free-agent passer Aaron Rodgers throughout the offseason.

Pre-draft profile

Howard offers an intriguing set of physical tools, and heating up at the right time to help Ohio State to a national title will certainly help his case. If given the necessary time, it's possible he can parlay the late growth into a more well-rounded skill set as a passer. There's some significant projection required on that front, though. Howard is accurate enough and manages the pocket well. He can also be a factor on designed QB runs. As we saw during the CFP, that can be enough to win when he's given defined reads. But he hasn't consistently shown he can work through progressions when his first option is taken away. That's when you see passes forced into coverage and the ball put in danger. Howard is likely a developmental backup who could be an early contributor in short-yardage packages.