Why Was Will Howard Drafted So Late? Unpacking A Draft Day Mystery
The NFL Draft is a spectacle of dreams realized, where college stars hear their names called, stepping into the big leagues. Yet, sometimes, a player many expect to go early finds themselves waiting, and waiting, as the rounds tick by. It's a bit of a head-scratcher, honestly, when someone like Will Howard, a quarterback who led his Ohio State team to a national championship, experiences such a slide.
For fans and analysts alike, the question lingered, you know, as the 2025 NFL Draft unfolded: just why did Will Howard fall so far? He was, by many accounts, a highly regarded prospect, with some even seeing him as a potential Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. So, to see the Pittsburgh Steelers finally pick him up in the sixth round, at pick number 185, certainly got people talking.
This article aims to peel back the layers of that draft day surprise, looking at the reasons behind his unexpected drop. We'll explore the whispers from behind the scenes, the scouting perspectives, and what it all means for Howard's future with the Steelers. It's a very interesting situation, to be sure.
Table of Contents
- Will Howard: A Quick Look
- The Buzz Before the Draft: High Hopes for Howard
- Unpacking the Drop: Why Teams Held Back
- The Steelers' Play: A Sixth-Round Steal?
- Strengths and Weaknesses: A Closer Look
- People Often Wonder: FAQs About Will Howard's Draft
- What's Next for Will Howard?
- Conclusion
Will Howard: A Quick Look
Will Howard's journey to the NFL Draft was, in some respects, quite remarkable. He's a player who has shown a lot of grit and leadership, especially in his final college season. It's always interesting to see how these young athletes make their way through the ranks, and his story is certainly one that caught many eyes, as a matter of fact.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Will Howard |
| College | Ohio State University |
| Position | Quarterback |
| NFL Draft Year | 2025 |
| Drafted By | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Draft Round | 6th Round |
| Draft Pick Number | 185 |
| Key College Achievement | Led Ohio State to 2024 CFP Championship (National Champion) |
The Buzz Before the Draft: High Hopes for Howard
Before the actual draft began, there was a fair bit of chatter about Will Howard. Some folks in the football world really thought he had the tools to be picked much earlier than he ultimately was. It's kind of typical, you know, for prospects to have a range of predictions, but Howard's range seemed particularly wide, apparently.
Early Projections and Surprise
Many draft watchers had Will Howard pegged as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 selection. This means they thought he'd be off the board somewhere in the third or fourth rounds. Some mock drafts, believe it or not, even had his name popping up near the first round at certain points in the draft cycle. That's a pretty big deal, to be honest, for a college quarterback.
So, when the first few rounds passed, and then the middle rounds, without Howard's name being called, it definitely raised some eyebrows. People were asking, "Why is he still available?" It was a moment of genuine surprise for many who followed the draft closely, as a matter of fact. The idea that a national champion quarterback would slide so far seemed, in a way, counterintuitive.
The projections for him were, in short, quite optimistic for a long stretch. It's not every day you see a player who led his team to such a significant victory still waiting deep into the draft. This sort of situation often makes people wonder about what's happening behind the scenes, and that's exactly what happened with Howard, you know.
A Complicated Prospect, So It Seemed
NFL scouts, after the college football regular season wraps up, really get down to business, trying to figure out which players are the best fit for the next level. Will Howard, it turns out, was considered by many to be one of the most complicated Ohio State players to evaluate as the draft got closer. This is something that makes a prospect very interesting, to say the least.
What makes a player "complicated" in the eyes of scouts? Well, it often has to do with inconsistencies or a mix of really high highs and some lower lows in their college performances. It means there's not a clear, straightforward picture of what they'll be in the pros, which can make teams a bit hesitant, you know. His journey, from being a national champion to a late-round pick, suggests just that kind of mixed bag, apparently.
Some evaluators, as a matter of fact, had him graded much higher than where he eventually landed. This just adds to the sense that he was a player who divided opinion among those who scout talent for a living. It's like, some saw a lot of potential, while others saw more questions. That's a pretty common thing in the draft, but it seemed more pronounced with Howard, to be honest.
Unpacking the Drop: Why Teams Held Back
The big question, of course, is why teams passed on Will Howard so often. There was, apparently, a clear reason he ended up falling all the way to the sixth round. It wasn't just random chance; there were specific concerns that made many teams wary, you know, despite his college achievements.
The Rollercoaster Ride at Ohio State
One of the main points brought up by those in the know, like Steve Palozzolo from the 33rd Football Team, was Howard's "rollercoaster performances" at Ohio State. This phrase, in a way, paints a picture of inconsistency. It suggests that while he had moments of brilliance, he also had games where things didn't go as smoothly, and that's a bit of a worry for NFL teams.
A quarterback's consistency is, quite frankly, a huge factor for professional teams. They want someone they can rely on week in and week out. If a player shows flashes of greatness but also struggles with accuracy, decision-making, or handling pressure at times, it creates doubt. This kind of up-and-down play can make scouts pause, even for a player who has led his team to a championship, as a matter of fact.
It's like, you see the potential, but you also see the moments where things could go wrong. This makes it harder for teams to justify using an early draft pick, where they typically want a more sure thing. The "rollercoaster" nature of his play meant teams had to weigh the good against the less good, and that's a tough balance, to be honest.
Team Concerns and Scouting Reports
Behind the scenes, teams were indeed wary of Howard's play. This sentiment, echoed by various analysts, suggests that the "rollercoaster" aspect wasn't just a casual observation; it was a significant point of discussion in team war rooms. Scouting reports, you know, go into a lot of detail, and these reports likely highlighted the areas where Howard needed to improve.
Every player has strengths and weaknesses, and for quarterbacks, these are scrutinized perhaps more than any other position. Scouts look at arm talent, accuracy, pocket presence, decision-making under pressure, and leadership qualities. If there were question marks in any of these areas, especially when combined with inconsistent game tape, it could cause a player to slide, apparently.
It's also worth considering that the NFL Draft is a game of supply and demand, and team needs. If a team already has a quarterback, or if they prioritize other positions early, they might pass on a player with some question marks, even if that player has a high ceiling. The collective caution from multiple teams, you see, is what ultimately leads to a significant fall, as a matter of fact.
Comparing the Quarterback Field
Another factor in a player's draft position is the strength of the overall draft class at their position. The text mentions that top quarterbacks expected to be drafted first were Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, followed by Jaxson Dart. This suggests that the 2025 quarterback class had some very strong contenders at the top, which can push other good players down the board, you know.
When there are several highly rated quarterbacks available, teams might opt for those with fewer perceived flaws or a higher "floor" – meaning they are considered safer bets to perform at a certain level. This doesn't mean Will Howard isn't talented; it just means that in comparison to others who were seen as more polished or consistent, teams might have prioritized those players earlier, apparently.
It's a bit like a competitive race where even if you're fast, someone else might be just a little bit faster, or have a more consistent stride. The presence of other strong quarterback prospects could have, in some respects, contributed to teams feeling less urgency to grab Howard in the earlier rounds, knowing they might have other options they preferred, as a matter of fact.
The Steelers' Play: A Sixth-Round Steal?
Despite the slide, the Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately made the move, selecting Will Howard with the 185th pick in the sixth round. This decision, in a way, reflects their draft strategy and perhaps a belief that they got good value for a player some evaluators had graded much higher. It's always a gamble in the later rounds, but sometimes these picks turn out to be real gems, you know.
Staying Put and Making the Pick
The Steelers, instead of making a bold move early in the draft for a quarterback, chose to stay put. This suggests they were comfortable with their draft board and the players available at their natural pick slots. Their patience paid off when Howard was still on the board late in the sixth round, as a matter of fact. It's like, they waited for the value to come to them, and it did, apparently.
Picking a quarterback in the sixth round is a different proposition than picking one in the first or second. The pressure is significantly less, and the expectation is more about developing a player with potential rather than slotting them in as an immediate starter. This kind of pick allows a team to take a chance on a player who has some question marks but also a lot of upside, you know.
For the Steelers, it was a move that, in some respects, made sense given the draft's flow. They got a national champion quarterback who, for whatever reason, slid down the board, but who still possesses traits that made him a highly regarded prospect earlier in the process. It's a low-risk, potentially high-reward situation, to be honest.
A Potentially Good Outcome, You Know
Interestingly, the text suggests that "taking a drop in the draft may have been the best outcome" for Will Howard. This is a fascinating perspective. Why would falling be a good thing? Well, sometimes, landing with the right team, in the right situation, can be more beneficial for a player's development than being drafted higher into a less ideal spot, as a matter of fact.
A later-round pick often means less immediate pressure to perform. He might have more time to learn the system, refine his skills, and address those "rollercoaster" tendencies without the intense spotlight that comes with being a high draft pick. The Steelers, presumably, can offer him a stable environment to grow, which could be exactly what he needs, apparently.
It's like, sometimes a slower burn is better for long-term success. If he had gone earlier, say to a team needing an immediate starter, the pressure might have been too much, too soon. This way, he gets a chance to develop his game, and that could very well turn out to be the best path for him to reach his full potential in the NFL, you know.
Strengths and Weaknesses: A Closer Look
To really understand why Will Howard was drafted so late, we need to consider his strengths and weaknesses as a player. The text hints at both, particularly his role in Ohio State's success and the "rollercoaster" nature of his play. A comprehensive scouting report would, in a way, lay out all these details.
What Made Him a Champion
One undeniable strength of Will Howard is his ability to lead a team to victory. He quarterbacked the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 2024 CFP Championship, making them the best team of the college season. This achievement, to be honest, speaks volumes about his leadership, resilience, and ability to perform in high-stakes moments. You don't win a national championship by accident, as a matter of fact.
His ability to guide his team through a demanding college season and deliver a championship is a testament to his competitive spirit and, presumably, his ability to make plays when it counts. These are qualities that translate well to the professional level. He's shown he can handle the pressure of big games, and that's a very valuable trait for any quarterback, you know.
This success also suggests he has a good grasp of the game, can execute a game plan, and rally his teammates. Those are the kinds of intangibles that scouts look for, even if the physical tools aren't always perfectly consistent. He's a winner, and that's a pretty big plus in his column, apparently.
Areas for Growth, Apparently
The "rollercoaster performances" point directly to areas where Howard likely needs to refine his game. While he has clear strengths, there must have been inconsistencies in his mechanics, decision-making, or perhaps his accuracy that gave teams pause. These are common areas for young quarterbacks to work on as they transition to the NFL, as a matter of fact.
For instance, some quarterbacks struggle with throwing consistently accurately on the move, or making quick reads against complex NFL defenses. Others might have moments of poor ball placement or struggle with turnovers. These are the kinds of things that can be worked on, but they represent a higher risk for teams looking for immediate impact, you know.
The fact that he fell to the sixth round suggests that, while his strengths were evident, the perceived weaknesses were significant enough to deter teams from using earlier picks. However, with good coaching and dedicated effort, these areas for growth can be improved upon, and that's what the Steelers are surely hoping for, apparently. It's a development project, in some respects.
People Often Wonder: FAQs About Will Howard's Draft
Folks often have a few specific questions when a player like Will Howard, who had high expectations, ends up falling in the draft. Here are some common thoughts people have, as a matter of fact.
Q: Was Ohio
Why you should start with why
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