It won’t be surprising if the Pittsburgh Steelers select a quarterback in next month’s draft. The more interesting question is – who? Ohio State’s Will Howard stands out as an old-school prototype. A pocket passer with touch and accuracy, the PPG’s Gerry Dulac recently noted the team’s interest in him. Not everyone is convinced. Beat writer Mark Kaboly pushed back on the notion, believing the team is lower on Howard’s pro potential compared to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
“I would think Milroe would be somebody that [Mike Tomlin] would take before Will Howard,” Kaboly told 93.7 The Fan’s Austin Bechtold Friday. “I’m not quite sure how much they’re interested in Will Howard. I know there’s some reports out there that suggest otherwise, but some of the things I’ve heard was maybe they aren’t as interested as you might think.”
A one-year Buckeye who transferred from Kansas State, Howard led Ohio State to a national championship. He played his best football when the stakes were highest, throwing for a combined eight touchdowns to two interceptions during the playoffs. That included blowing the doors off Oregon in the quarterfinal and completing 81 percent of his passes to defeat Notre Dame in the title game, throwing a dime on 3rd and 11 to seal the win.
Kaboly admitted his intel comes from earlier in the season when Howard was finding his footing in the offense. Opinions may have changed.
Pittsburgh’s front office loves a winner. That’s all Howard did in college. In his final two years at Kansas State, the Wildcats won nine and 10 games after failing to win more than eight the previous five seasons. In 2024, Ohio State went 14-2 to finish in the history books.
Our scouting report noted that Howard’s ability to layer the football separates him from other passers in the class and despite a lack of foot speed, his size and strength made him an asset in short-yardage situations. Negatively, there’s debate about velocity on his throws and his processing, Howard struggling to read Michigan’s tough defense in a late-season 13-10 loss.
The Steelers’ choice could come down to flavor. Do they want a pocket passer? Louisville’s Tyler Shough and Howard will be on their short list. Do they want the gamer? Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart fits even if he isn’t true first-round material as has been recently mocked. Do they want the dynamic athlete? Milroe is the man for the job.
Assuming Pittsburgh passes on the position in the first round, the board will partially dictate who is available come pick N0. 83 but the Steelers’ new quarterback philosophy will drive the rest.
Recommended for you