Steve Palazzolo said sixth-round pick Will Howard is worth a late bench spot in dynasty and Superflex formats because he checks several upside boxes despite obvious warts. Palazzolo noted Howard’s year-over-year improvement at Ohio State, culminating in his best performance in the national title game where he hit Jeremiah Smith on a third-and-11 go ball. He praised Howard’s ability to rebound from low points—specifically the Oregon clock mis-management slide and the disastrous Michigan game—arguing that mental resiliency matters for long-term development. Physically, Howard brings prototype NFL size, above-average mobility and a "pretty good arm" that occasionally flashes high-level ball placement. Accuracy remains scattershot—Palazzolo admitted he still fires a few "hospital balls"—but the arrow is trending upward after a season under Chip Kelly. With only Justin Fields and veteran Aaron Rodgers competing for 2025 snaps, Palazzolo believes the Steelers can slow-cook Howard for a year or two, making him a cheap lottery ticket who could become a trade chip or future starter in deep leagues.

Ryan Wilson compared Pittsburgh’s selection of Will Howard at pick 185 to Tom Brady’s famous 199th pick, calling the Kansas State product a legitimate "quarterback of the future." Wilson highlighted Howard’s Big Ten transfer pedigree, sturdy 6′5″ frame and willing deep-ball mentality as perfect fits for Arthur Smith’s heavy play-action scheme. Because neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields is signed beyond 2025, Ryan Wilson believes Howard will get a real chance to start by 2026 and could see garbage-time reps sooner if injuries strike. The tout advised superflex dynasty managers to scoop Howard in the fourth round of rookie drafts, arguing that Pittsburgh’s track record of developing mid-round signal-callers (e.g., Mason Rudolph) and the sixth-round investment show real organizational intent. He added Howard’s vertical aggression pairs well with George Pickens and Roman Wilson, giving Howard sneaky 2026 fantasy ceiling if he wins the job.

Ryan Wilson called Will Howard the “new 199” after Pittsburgh grabbed him at pick 185, arguing that the former Kansas State and Ohio State quarterback profiles as a long-term starter if he develops. Wilson highlighted Howard’s prototypical size (6-4, 236), plus mobility, and a live arm that produced five games of 275+ passing yards and multiple scores down the stretch last year. He stressed that as a sixth-rounder Howard will sit, but the Steelers’ focus on offensive-line upgrades and a run-centric approach means he won’t be asked to carry the offense when his turn comes. Wilson even said he feels "better about this than I did the 2022 first-round selection of Kenny Pickett." Fantasy takeaway: stash Howard on deep dynasty rosters or in super-flex taxi squads; the developmental environment and minimal draft-capital cost make him a low-risk, high-upside chip.

Josh Pate called Will Howard the classic "stash and cash" quarterback for Superflex dynasty leagues and long‑shot NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year tickets down the line. Pate emphasized Howard’s elite "neck‑up" traits—leadership, command of a locker room, and rapid processing—that do not show up in combine testing. Ohio State coaches "never wavered" on him even during rough outings such as the Michigan game, reinforcing the trust factor. Pate envisions a scenario where Howard sits for a season or two, then takes over after an injury and never relinquishes the job—comparing it to past mid‑round success stories. With a polished 6'4", 240‑pound frame and top‑10 adjusted completion rate on intermediate throws (per OSU analytics), Pate urged dynasty players to scoop him in the late second/early third of rookie drafts before the public realizes the long‑term upside.

Because Pittsburgh lacks a second‑rounder, Wilson mocked Will Howard to them in round three. He measured 6'4" 236 lbs and flashed a big arm plus surprising athleticism at the Ohio State Pro Day after transferring from Kansas State. The Steelers took him to dinner the night before that workout, signaling real interest. Wilson likes the fit as a one‑to‑two‑year developmental option behind a veteran bridge if Shedeur Sanders is not available at pick 21.