Ex-Packers QB Raises Eyebrows With Will Howard Comments Ahead of NFL Draft

One moniker Ohio State quarterback Will Howard can most definitely claim is that of a champion, and that's one sort of player makeup that tends to translate well to the next level. 

Howard's stock is at its highest as he heads to the draft in April, though he isn't expected to come off the board in the first round. However, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah predicted in January that Howard could be an early-to-mid second-rounder after the Buckeyes' dominant run through the College Football Playoff. 

"He's right on the borderline of a top-50 pick for me at this point in time," Jeremiah said during an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show."

It was a second-round pick in Jalen Hurts (No. 53 overall) who just led the Philadelphia Eagles to a title. Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert believes Howard can have the same kind of impact in the NFL, albeit by playing much more like a different Super Bowl MVP who won his ring 12 years earlier. 

"I found my Will Howard comp: Young Joe Flacco," Benkert posted to X on Thursday, Feb. 13. "He can make any throw on the field, he’s athletic enough to move the chains on third downs, and he’s willing to stand and deliver with pressure in his face."

Benkert continued with a prediction of where Howard might land.  

"He gets a little antsy from time to time and, to be honest, some of the throws that he misses are because he’s trying to throw it earlier than he needs to. This isn’t a bad thing and it’s easy to fix, but he’s definitely a true pro style quarterback," Benkert added. "He’s got some moxie to him as well, which was cool to see come out on film. I actually could see him being a mid-round draft pick to somewhere like Pittsburgh."

Flacco is still in the NFL and will play next season at 40 years old. Although he's never made a Pro Bowl, Flacco is a champion and has racked up impressive stats with a regular-season record of 105-86 complemented by nearly 46,000 passing yards and 257 TDs. 

The Steelers would offer Howard not only a chance to compete for a starting spot as a rookie, but the opportunity to win immediately. His numbers against pressure aren't good, though he's an elite thrower of the deep ball and could help open up a Pittsburgh offense that desperately needs some spark. 

The Steelers own the No. 52 overall pick in the draft's second round.