NFL analyst explains why Pittsburgh Steelers rookie quarterback Will Howard fell in the draft despite not having a 'fatal flaw'
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Will Howard are both thrilled to be in a partnership. The Steelers, however, believe they got great value by waiting all the way until the sixth round, while Howard would have undoubtedly liked to hear his name called sooner. Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team gave one word as to why […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Will Howard are both thrilled to be in a partnership.
The Steelers, however, believe they got great value by waiting all the way until the sixth round, while Howard would have undoubtedly liked to hear his name called sooner.
Steve Palazzolo of The 33rd Team gave one word as to why Howard was still available late on day three of the 2025 NFL Draft….
Will Howard fell in the draft due to inconsistency?
"I don't know if there's anything specific fatally as far as the flaw, it's just inconsistency. The same description can be used on [Jalen] Milroe," Palazzolo told 93.7 The Fan. "There was some games where his accuracy is all over the place… He will overthrow receivers over the middle of the field a couple times a game it seems and his arm is not great. It's good. I think he's been touted as having a big arm, but it's not great. It's fine and the athleticism is kind of like a lower end Daniel Jones."
Will Howard has "10-year NFL career" written all over him, but it's more likely to be as a backup than a starter. There are things you watch and appreciate about his game, including obvious high football intelligence, dual-threat ability, and textbook fundamentals. He's also incredibly tough both mentally and physically. He can lead a locker room.
And he has a championship pedigree now after transferring into OSU, getting buy-in from his teammates, and leading them to a national championship victory in just 12 months.
So if Will Howard hits, exceeds expectations and makes himself into starter for the Steelers, it will be because of his intangibles. The very mindset and work ethic that had generated headlines for doing what other rookies wouldn't, not even a week after being drafted.
The floor for Howard is a career backup, and his inconsistency in college is part of that floor. But here's the thing: if he can fix those minor flaws, you suddenly have a player who's more than capable of being a serviceable starter in the modern NFL thanks to his dual-threat ability and mental makeup.
So betting against Howard might not be the best proposition.
