Chris Simms pumps the brakes on high expectations for Will Howard with Steelers
Will Howard's unexpected slide to the sixth round of the NFL draft, despite being initially projected as a mid-round pick, has raised questions about the disconnect between his pre-draft expectations and his actual selection. Chris Simms attributes this to the perception of Howard's association with the successful Ohio State Buckeyes, which may have inflated his perceived value. Simms highlights Howard's below-average arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism as reasons for his drop in the draft. Nonetheless, Howard has shown potential in college with his sufficient arm strength and impressive throws, suggesting he could develop into a solid NFL quarterback. If Howard succeeds, the Steelers might have secured a significant steal in the draft, but as a late-round pick, the risk is minimal if he does not pan out.
Context:
Will Howard's unexpected slide to the sixth round of the NFL draft, despite being initially projected as a mid-round pick, has raised questions about the disconnect between his pre-draft expectations and his actual selection. Chris Simms attributes this to the perception of Howard's association with the successful Ohio State Buckeyes, which may have inflated his perceived value. Simms highlights Howard's below-average arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism as reasons for his drop in the draft. Nonetheless, Howard has shown potential in college with his sufficient arm strength and impressive throws, suggesting he could develop into a solid NFL quarterback. If Howard succeeds, the Steelers might have secured a significant steal in the draft, but as a late-round pick, the risk is minimal if he does not pan out.
Dive Deeper:
Will Howard was initially considered a mid-round draft pick, but he unexpectedly fell to the sixth round, causing speculation about the reasons behind this drop.
Chris Simms believes Howard's connection to the prestigious Ohio State Buckeyes may have led to inflated expectations, as people assumed high performance based on the team's success, not individual merit.
Simms critiques Howard's below-average arm strength, inconsistency in accuracy, and lack of exceptional athleticism, which contributed to his lower draft position despite the pre-draft hype.
Despite these criticisms, Howard showcased adequate arm strength and made notable throws in college, suggesting he has the capability to improve and succeed in the NFL with further development.
The lowered expectations following his draft position may benefit Howard, allowing him to develop without the pressure of high initial expectations, and potentially offering the Steelers a valuable pick if he thrives.
If Howard does not succeed, the impact on the Steelers will be minimal due to his late-round selection, reducing the potential loss from the draft investment.
The situation highlights the complexities of draft projections and the potential for players to develop beyond initial assessments based on team affiliations and perceived talent.
Throughout the pre-draft process, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard was widely considered a mid-round draft pick, which made his slide to the sixth round somewhat surprising.
So, what was the disconnect between the pre-draft expectations and where Howard ultimately ended up? Well, NBC Sports' Chris Simms thinks it had something to do with Howard playing for the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes.
"I think it's because of the emblem on the helmet," Simms said. "People look at that and they go, 'Wait, they're a top-five team in the country. He's the quarterback. He's got to be one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.'
"No, there's a bunch of first-round players on the football team with him. The quarterback is getting the benefit of how awesome the team is there."
Simms then went on to point out some of Howard's flaws to justify why he was drafted where he was.
"How many times did I have people on my Instagram or Twitter looking at it going, 'Why isn't Will Howard being talked about as a first-round or a second-round quarterback? I don't know, because his arm is below average," Simms said.
"Because he's not incredibly accurate and he's not the greatest athlete in the world. Other than that, he should be the first pick of the draft. I'm not trying to get on Will Howard, but it's just the expectations."
While Howard isn't elite in any of the aforementioned areas, he's no slouch, either, and could turn himself into a bona fide starting quarterback in the NFL if he can develop.
Howard flashed sufficient arm strength in college, and he made some impressive throws that displayed his accuracy and touch. When it comes to athleticism, he certainly isn't electric, but Howard has enough to help him in the NFL.
Expectations might have been higher before the draft, but those have simmered down now that Howard is a sixth-round draft choice.
If he succeeds, the Steelers will have gotten themselves one of the biggest steals in the 2025 NFL draft. If he doesn't, his status as a late-round pick will make the pain from missing on him minimal.
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