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Will Howard

I really hope this young man gets his chance next year. He has all the tools and ability to be successful in the NFL. And add to that now we have people on the coaching staff that could help develop him and improve our passing game to an NFL caliber offense.

The other thing I noticed watching this video of almost 10 minutes, and probably showed 50 different highlights is how few of the highlights, I actually counted two maybe three, that showed Tate on the receiving end of his passes. Just something I wanted to point out for those of you that want Tate in the first round that there are better receivers Available for us this year that early in the draft.
 
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steel dino said:
I really hope this young man gets his chance next year. He has all the tools and ability to be successful in the NFL. And add to that now we have people on the coaching staff that could help develop him and improve our passing game to an NFL caliber offense.

The other thing I noticed watching this video of almost 10 minutes, and probably showed 50 different highlights is how few of the highlights, I actually counted two maybe three, that showed Tate on the receiving end of his passes. Just something I wanted to point out for those of you that want Tate in the first round that there are better receivers Available for us this year that early in the draft.
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Not saying that Tate should be the pick, but in these highlights he was the third WR option behind Egbuka and Smith, they also had Judkins and Henderson in the backfield, so their offense was a much different machine than it was this past season.
 
He displays very good pocket awareness. He can hit slants and throws over the middle effectively. He runs well. Some say he is more fleet footed than the highly esteemed Josh Allen. The throws to the back shoulder were very good.

Why is there so much doubt?
 
insaniti said:
Not saying that Tate should be the pick, but in these highlights he was the third WR option behind Egbuka and Smith, they also had Judkins and Henderson in the backfield, so their offense was a much different machine than it was this past season.
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Possibly.
But all 50 or 60 of the highlights?
In my crazy ways of looking at things, if I was thinking of drafting a wide receiver in the first, and I watched 50 to 60 highlights of the quarterback on his team throwing the football, I would expect to see that person standing out and being on the receiving end ofat least 30 to 40% of those clips.,.
 
xjx said:
He displays very good pocket awareness. He can hit slants and throws over the middle effectively. He runs well. Some say he is more fleet footed than the highly esteemed Josh Allen. The throws to the back shoulder were very good.

Why is there so much doubt?
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Many seem to question his mechanics, and his arm is good, but not great. Definitely not the mutant-like arm strength that Josh Allen has.

The most encouraging thing about Howard is that he got better as a pocket passer every year in college, but he still wasn't a finished product despite going crazy in the college playoffs.

That scheme and those WRs at Ohio State helped a lot, and he probably cost himself a few rounds of draft position with his throwing at the combine.

He definitely has a "chance" to become something, as the size/speed ratio and intangibles are impressive and the arm is good enough, but he was also a 6th round pick in a QB-starved league for a reason.

I'm all for sinking or swimming with Howard for a year (with Rudolph as the backup.)

Worst case, they suck enough to get a top 10 pick in what "should" be a better QB draft in 2027, but we know how that goes.

The strength of that class is going to depend a lot on how Dante Moore and Arch Manning play in 2026.
 
steel dino said:
Possibly.
But all 50 or 60 of the highlights?
In my crazy ways of looking at things, if I was thinking of drafting a wide receiver in the first, and I watched 50 to 60 highlights of the quarterback on his team throwing the football, I would expect to see that person standing out and being on the receiving end ofat least 30 to 40% of those clips.,.
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steel dino - you're being a smidge dismissive and short sighted.
You first have to realize who OSU had on their roster during Tate's career.
Emeka Egbuka also played second fiddle Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxson Smith Njigba, and Jeremiah Smith.
He seems to have worked out just fine in TB.
OSU has been pumping out great WRs for a while now.
Now, there are injury concerns with Tate.
But the highlight reel was Howard's, not Tate's.
You may have a different opinion if you watch Tate's highlights.
 
fedderone said:
steel dino - you're being a smidge dismissive and short sighted.
You first have to realize who OSU had on their roster during Tate's career.
Emeka Egbuka also played second fiddle Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxson Smith Njigba, and Jeremiah Smith.
He seems to have worked out just fine in TB.
OSU has been pumping out great WRs for a while now.
Now, there are injury concerns with Tate.
But the highlight reel was Howard's, not Tate's.
You may have a different opinion if you watch Tate's highlights.
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Yes, very possible I would have a different opinion after I watched Tate’s highlights.
Of course, personal highlights usually involved just that person making great plays but with quarterback highlights, there is another player on the receiving end of those highlights. I’m not saying the kids‘s gonna be a bust. I’m just saying it was extremely odd that only two or three out of 50 or 60 clips of his quarterback, throwing the football, showed Tate on the receiving end, and because of that in my mind, I would have trepidation of drafted him at the Steelers selection in the first round..
I haven’t looked, but I would have to say if you watch highlights of the quarterbacks that throw the football to the other players projected to go in the first round at the wide receiver position, those highlights would show that receiver, catching the football for big plays much more than what we saw out of Howard highlights that involve Tate on the receiving end.
 
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steel dino said:
Possibly.
But all 50 or 60 of the highlights?
In my crazy ways of looking at things, if I was thinking of drafting a wide receiver in the first, and I watched 50 to 60 highlights of the quarterback on his team throwing the football, I would expect to see that person standing out and being on the receiving end ofat least 30 to 40% of those clips.,.
Click to expand...
in 2024 he had 52 catches, 733 yards and 4 TD's in 15 games
in 2025 he had 51 catches 875 yards and 9 TD's in 11 games.

Again, not saying he should be the pick, but different offenses. In 24, the buckeyes had TWO 1000 yard rushers, in 25 only one. But Tate showed the ability to score TD's this past year.

This is also just ONE video of Howards senior year. It does show all 4 of Tates TD's from that year...but this is a Will Howard thread, and that highlight reel, and what I have posted about their offenses is one of the knocks on Howard. He was surrounded by elite talent at every possible position in that offense. But I still saw some very tight window throws, and standing in when he knew he was going to take a hit. He was also not one to get down on himself when he made a mistake, he worked and got better from the mistake, and that's what made that playoff run so spectacular for him. I think him falling in the draft was a product of the other prospects and the lack of teams really looking for a QB outside of Tenn.

Really, who were the teams looking at QB last year? Go around the league, Sea had signed Darnold, LAS signed Smith, Minn was rolling with AJ (their top pick from the previous draft), AZ still has Murray and wasn't QUITE the question mark he is on that roster today, CAR wasn't giving up on Young yet, Clev is always a disaster and still has Watson eating up cap space, ATL drafted Penix the year before and has Cousins, you go down the list and aside from Tenn, there weren't a ton of teams vying for the QB position in what some called a weak QB draft class.

I think Howard has prototypical size, he's very athletic for his size as well. I'd put him between young Ben and Allen as far as that goes, strong arm. I don't think where he went in the draft is indicative to his talents at all, he should have gone much higher. I had him in the 3rd round, but once he made it past the third, it was a free fall until we picked him. I think he has a higher ceiling than Rudolph did coming out, more physical tools. Compared to what we will have a shot at in this draft, I definitely roll with Howard and load up on WR, DL, S and OL.
 
Mahommes throws sidearm and other unconventional ways Rodgers does it. Allen does it. Arguments can be made about mechanics. Even the top guys have bad mechanics.
 
There's a 90% chance he's nothing more than a clip board holder, but we really need to find a long term QB, so I'm all for giving him a shot, at least we'd know. It's better than bringing a 43 year old QB back in here and kick that can down the road another year. Draft a guy too, let Howard, draft pick, Mason battle it out.
 
xjx said:
Mahommes throws sidearm and other unconventional ways Rodgers does it. Allen does it. Arguments can be made about mechanics. Even the top guys have bad mechanics.
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Yeah I never understood the mechanics argument. Seems like alot of teams take QBs and mess with their mechanics and they never recover. If you don't like how a guy throws the ball, don't draft him. Drafting a guy and changing how he has been throwing the ball for 15yrs does not usually work. Sure you can do some minor tweaks but shouldn't do a full fundamental overhaul.
 
Black & Gold Bleeder said:


Little video to remind us all who we have sitting on the bench.
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Thank you @Black & Gold Bleeder . I have been singing Will Howard praises since we drafted him. I truly believe he is our QB of the future and will be Ben'esque for our needs. I hate hearing the Malik Willis or 'Pittsburgh will be looking to draft a QB'. Come on man, those people needed that reminder.

I would LOVE A-Rod to come back a year and give Howard some mentorship and the guidance of a QB builder in McCarthy.
 
Give Will Howard a chance but also bring in a draft pick and maybe a FA and let them all battle it out.
On another note check out Howard’s numbers his last year at Ohio State and Fernando Mendozz’s his last year at Indiana. Very, very similar stat numbers and with both winning a national championship as well.
One projected as the number one overall pick and the other just an afterthought. Odd!
 
insaniti said:
in 2024 he had 52 catches, 733 yards and 4 TD's in 15 games
in 2025 he had 51 catches 875 yards and 9 TD's in 11 games.

Again, not saying he should be the pick, but different offenses. In 24, the buckeyes had TWO 1000 yard rushers, in 25 only one. But Tate showed the ability to score TD's this past year.

This is also just ONE video of Howards senior year. It does show all 4 of Tates TD's from that year...but this is a Will Howard thread, and that highlight reel, and what I have posted about their offenses is one of the knocks on Howard. He was surrounded by elite talent at every possible position in that offense. But I still saw some very tight window throws, and standing in when he knew he was going to take a hit. He was also not one to get down on himself when he made a mistake, he worked and got better from the mistake, and that's what made that playoff run so spectacular for him. I think him falling in the draft was a product of the other prospects and the lack of teams really looking for a QB outside of Tenn.

Really, who were the teams looking at QB last year? Go around the league, Sea had signed Darnold, LAS signed Smith, Minn was rolling with AJ (their top pick from the previous draft), AZ still has Murray and wasn't QUITE the question mark he is on that roster today, CAR wasn't giving up on Young yet, Clev is always a disaster and still has Watson eating up cap space, ATL drafted Penix the year before and has Cousins, you go down the list and aside from Tenn, there weren't a ton of teams vying for the QB position in what some called a weak QB draft class.

I think Howard has prototypical size, he's very athletic for his size as well. I'd put him between young Ben and Allen as far as that goes, strong arm. I don't think where he went in the draft is indicative to his talents at all, he should have gone much higher. I had him in the 3rd round, but once he made it past the third, it was a free fall until we picked him. I think he has a higher ceiling than Rudolph did coming out, more physical tools. Compared to what we will have a shot at in this draft, I definitely roll with Howard and load up on WR, DL, S and OL.
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Several QBs were still taken ahead of Howard, including Shadeur.

It could be all those teams missed the boat, but all of them definitely saw something they didn't like.

One can say the same for the Steelers, considering how long they waited to draft Howard.
 
xjx said:
Mahommes throws sidearm and other unconventional ways Rodgers does it. Allen does it. Arguments can be made about mechanics. Even the top guys have bad mechanics.
Click to expand...
i remember some dude named Tony McDaniel saying a QB that he had "happy feet" who turned out just fine, despite throwing wobbly passes.
 
xjx said:
He displays very good pocket awareness. He can hit slants and throws over the middle effectively. He runs well. Some say he is more fleet footed than the highly esteemed Josh Allen. The throws to the back shoulder were very good.

Why is there so much doubt?
Click to expand...
I felt that he has balance issues when running but that can be fixed...

This was a nice birthday gift!
 
steel dino said:
Possibly.
But all 50 or 60 of the highlights?
In my crazy ways of looking at things, if I was thinking of drafting a wide receiver in the first, and I watched 50 to 60 highlights of the quarterback on his team throwing the football, I would expect to see that person standing out and being on the receiving end ofat least 30 to 40% of those clips.,.
Click to expand...
Exactly.

We need to stock pile picks for next year to get Jeremiah Smith. Period the end.
 
xjx said:
He displays very good pocket awareness. He can hit slants and throws over the middle effectively. He runs well. Some say he is more fleet footed than the highly esteemed Josh Allen. The throws to the back shoulder were very good.

Why is there so much doubt?
Click to expand...


His injury came at the wrong time and the Tomlin & his staff had no idea how to evaluate / develop him. They stuck / buried him on scout team QB, purgatory.

Tomlin had opportunity to clinch POs but couldn’t, didn’t use any opportunity to get Will playing time.

The “Doubt” came from the short comings of the Tomlin handling of the search for a QB, not the QB himself.




Salute the nation
 
steelhurt said:
Give Will Howard a chance but also bring in a draft pick and maybe a FA and let them all battle it out.
On another note check out Howard’s numbers his last year at Ohio State and Fernando Mendozz’s his last year at Indiana. Very, very similar stat numbers and with both winning a national championship as well.
One projected as the number one overall pick and the other just an afterthought. Odd!
Click to expand...

This is why analytics and context matter. JT Barrett started 4 years in Columbus, threw for 9400+, ran for 3200+, thew 104 TD to 30 INT, ran for 43 TDs.

Didn't get a sniff in the NFL.
 
steel dino said:
Yes, very possible I would have a different opinion after I watched Tate’s highlights.
Of course, personal highlights usually involved just that person making great plays but with quarterback highlights, there is another player on the receiving end of those highlights. I’m not saying the kids‘s gonna be a bust. I’m just saying it was extremely odd that only two or three out of 50 or 60 clips of his quarterback, throwing the football, showed Tate on the receiving end, and because of that in my mind, I would have trepidation of drafted him at the Steelers selection in the first round..
I haven’t looked, but I would have to say if you watch highlights of the quarterbacks that throw the football to the other players projected to go in the first round at the wide receiver position, those highlights would show that receiver, catching the football for big plays much more than what we saw out of Howard highlights that involve Tate on the receiving end.
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Agreed.
However, Jeremiah Smith may very well be a #1 overall pick, or at minimum, top 5 next April.
He is SPECIAL.
Sometimes it's not a bad thing to be Scottie Pippen next to Michael Jordan, or Kevin Greene opposite Greg Lloyd.
It's not that he sucks, it's just there's different levels of greatness.
I don't think Tate is as good as Smith, but I also think he can be a team's #1 easily, and at worse case scenario, the #2.
And that's a pretty good pick at #21 for a team starved for offensive firepower.
In our case, he can be Robin to DK's Batman for a year or two and then take over as #1.........IF we draft him.
 
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