On this yr’s draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t spend a excessive draft choose on a quarterback. As an alternative, they waited till the sixth spherical to assault that place, drafting Ohio State’s Will Howard. Normally, sixth-round picks don’t blossom into franchise quarterbacks. Subsequently, it’s unfair to name Howard the Steelers’ future below heart. Nevertheless, former NFL head coach Jon Gruden thinks the Steelers bought an awesome participant.
“I’ll go on report right here,” Gruden mentioned Monday on SiriusXM Radio on the Senior Bowl Corridor of Fame induction ceremony. “The Pittsburgh Steelers bought a steal in Will Howard. That man is a stud.”
All through the pre-draft course of, Gruden didn’t disguise his love for Howard. The younger quarterback appeared on Gruden’s QB Class this yr, and the previous NFL head coach got here away impressed. On the very least, Howard has Gruden’s help.
Howard was an awesome participant in school, particularly throughout his ultimate yr. Within the 2024 season, he helped Ohio State win the Nationwide Championship, battling some adversity alongside the way in which. Howard saved his finest ball for the most important moments, too. He was named the Offensive MVP of that championship recreation. The lights weren’t too brilliant for him.
Throughout that very same look, Gruden provided up extra reward for Howard.
“I made the comparability to Josh Allen, and everybody mentioned, ‘Oh, Gruden thinks he’s Josh Allen.’ No, I mentioned he’s 6047, 236 [pounds]. I need you to get a really feel for the way huge this man is. He can run the direct energy performs. He can run the zone learn performs. He has 4 landing runs of over 70 yards. He received huge at Kansas State. He received all of it at Ohio State. And he can play in chilly climate.”
Gruden did examine Howard to Allen, top-of-the-line quarterbacks within the league as we speak, however solely to offer a perspective on the rookie’s measurement. Whereas that doesn’t imply all the pieces, it does matter. Given Howard’s athleticism, it’s much more vital. Simply this yr, Mike Tomlin careworn how a lot he appreciates mobility at that place.
Can Howard be a franchise quarterback? Possibly, however he has a protracted street to go to get there. Though he has good traits and received huge video games in school, the NFL is a distinct beast. Fortunately, he shouldn’t be thrust right into a beginning position throughout his rookie yr.
That ought to enable Howard to sit down and be taught, engaged on his recreation. Maybe that can assist him change into an honest starter sooner or later. Whereas Pittsburgh might nonetheless draft a quarterback subsequent yr, in the event that they discover themselves in purgatory on the place once more, possibly Howard can present them with a little bit consolation. Even when he doesn’t change into a star, taking an opportunity on him within the sixth spherical felt like an excellent transfer.
