The New Orleans Saints are heading into a major rebuild under new head coach Kellen Moore. Even with Derek Carr penciled in as the starter for the 2025 season, the team is still looking for its quarterback of the future.
That search might end at the 2025 NFL Draft, as one analyst predicts they’ll take Ohio State’s Will Howard.
Saints Predicted To Select Will Howard in 2025 NFL Draft
The Saints started last season strong but quickly fell off. After winning their first two games, they dropped 12 of their final 15, finishing 5-12 overall.
Carr’s injury played a role in the collapse, but even when healthy, the team lacked the firepower to stay competitive. He started 10 games and finished with just 2,145 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.
New Orleans ended the year ranked No. 22 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, and with an aging roster, it’s clear the Saints need to start planning for what’s next. That’s why Ben Rolfe of PFSN projects them to take Howard with the 131st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Rolfe sees the Saints filling needs at wide receiver and along the offensive line in earlier rounds, then adding Howard on Day 5. If things go that way in April, New Orleans would be giving Carr more help while also locking in a reliable backup.
At 6’4″ and 235 pounds, Howard is viewed as one of the top five quarterbacks in the draft class by many analysts. While Rolfe has him going in the fifth round, that kind of value could be a steal for the Saints.
Howard struggled during his four years at Kansas State, but a 2024 transfer to Ohio State changed everything. He posted career highs with 4,010 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, a 73% completion rate, a 175.3 passer rating, and led the Buckeyes to a 14-2 record.
He capped the season with a national championship win over Notre Dame and took home Offensive MVP honors for the game.
Been watching the last 4 games for top NFLDraft QBs & Will Howard had the BEST 4 game stretch of any QB I’ve watched so far – and it really wasn’t even that close!! Great throws, consistent accuracy, downfield throws, good reads, multiple concepts, etc…
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner)
Howard likely won’t be the starter in New Orleans, but he gives the Saints a solid option behind Carr. And after the year he just had, it wouldn’t be shocking if Moore decides to give him a look early in the season.
Howard’s Scouting Report
Here’s what PFSN’s Jacob Infante wrote in his scouting report on Howard:
“Throughout his time at Kansas State, Howard pretty clearly had an NFL-caliber frame and arm. Evaluators saw that on display in a more efficient manner at Ohio State.
“Armed with a cannon and a compact release, Howard looks the part when you simply watch how he throws the ball. His improved accuracy down the field in 2024 is encouraging, as it allowed him to maximize what he brings to the table in terms of arm talent.
“From a team perspective, his growth from being a 3-7 starter through his first two years to a national champion is remarkable.
“Even in 2024, though, Howard was prone to some of the questionable decision-making processes he showed earlier in his collegiate career. If he is to take the next step once he gets to the NFL, he’ll need to be more careful with the ball and be more precise going through his progressions.
“Howard will certainly get drafted, and he has more physical upside than your typical Day 3 backup prospect. He feels like a worthy selection roughly in the range of Round 5, though, with the 2025 NFL Draft being a lighter quarterback class, don’t be surprised if someone takes a shot on him higher than that.”
