The 2025 NFL Draft is in full swing following the first-round action on Thursday night (April 24). While Day 1 had its share of fireworks, Day 2 offers plenty of intrigue — especially at the quarterback position. One name to keep an eye on is Will Howard, the Ohio State standout and reigning national champion.
Howard didn’t crack the first round, but his resume — highlighted by a national title and standout senior season — makes him a strong candidate to be selected on Day 2.
Best Potential Landing Spots for Will Howard
After four seasons at Kansas State, Howard transferred to Ohio State for his final collegiate year. The move paid off in a big way — both for him and for the Buckeyes.
“Though Howard was clearly on the rise, questions followed when he initially transferred to Ohio State regarding whether he would be the quarterback to lead them to postseason success,” wrote PFSN’s Jacob Infante.
“He silenced doubters pretty quickly, however. A third-team All-Big Ten member in 2024, Howard reached career highs with 4,010 passing yards, a 73.0% completion percentage, a 175.3 passer rating, and a 14-2 record as a starter. He capped off his strong season with a national championship, defeating Notre Dame and earning the Offensive MVP of the game for his efforts.”
Howard’s rise has positioned him as a legitimate mid-round prospect. Here are three teams to watch as potential landing spots.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders bypassed quarterbacks with the No. 6 overall pick, opting instead to bolster their run game with Boise State star Ashton Jeanty. The pick made sense for a team looking to support its offense, but the quarterback position remains unsettled.
Vegas traded for veteran Geno Smith before free agency — a solid stopgap option. Still, a long-term plan is needed, and Howard could be the perfect project quarterback with upside.
What makes the fit even more intriguing is Howard’s connection to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. The two worked together during Howard’s lone season at Ohio State. That existing relationship could help fast-track his development in the pros.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams traded out of the first round, sending their pick to Atlanta in exchange for a future first-rounder. With their draft starting Friday night, they could use the opportunity to address their long-term future at quarterback.
Matthew Stafford is still the guy in Los Angeles — for now. But at age 37 and with a history of injuries, it’s clear the clock is ticking. Drafting a quarterback now allows time to groom a successor behind one of the most experienced passers in the league.
Howard would enter a favorable situation in Los Angeles, playing in Sean McVay’s offense and throwing to weapons like Puka Nacua and free-agent acquisition Davante Adams. Few mid-round quarterbacks land in situations that ripe for success.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh made waves by passing on Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the first round. As it stands, they only have one quarterback on the roster — Mason Rudolph, a perennial backup — which makes Day 2 a critical opportunity to address the position.
Without a second-round pick, the Steelers may be out of range for some of the bigger names. However, Howard is a realistic and enticing target for their third-round selection.
He could either sit behind a veteran — potentially Aaron Rodgers (if Pro Football Talk reports ring true), should the Steelers lure him with a contract — or compete for a starting job immediately, depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out.
