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Ohio State QB Will Howard Predicted to Join Projected $238 Million QB in Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan D Adams | Last updated Apr 3, 2025 9:05 AM ET

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard is searching for a new home in the 2025 NFL draft. Recent NFL mock drafts provide a wide range of potential outcomes for Howard, despite the quarterback coming off a national championship run.

ESPN's Field Yates projects Howard as a potential second-round pick, while other mocks have the quarterback as a Day 3 selection. The most likely scenario for Howard is sitting behind a veteran NFL quarterback, at least for his first pro season.

A recent mock draft from Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling has the San Francisco 49ers selecting Howard with the No. 138 overall pick in the fourth round.

The move would put Howard behind veteran Brock Purdy, who is likely headed for a massive contract extension. Purdy is entering the final season of a bargain four-year, $3.7 million rookie contract.

Put some respect on Will Howard’s name! Crushed his Pro Day today. 65/67 with two drops. Will checked all of the boxes today for the doubters ✅

National Champion. Best QB in the country. 50 career starts. Future franchise QB. pic.twitter.com/qxoWlEJcUe
— Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) March 26, 2025

Spotrac projects a massive raise for Purdy, estimating that the quarterback's market value is a four-year, $238.9 million contract.

Howard's draft slot is far from a certainty as Easterling's latest mock draft on Thursday has the Buckeyes quarterback falling outside the first four rounds. ESPN's Jordan Reid has Howard ranked as the No. 8 quarterback in the 2025 class.

More from Will Howard on what transferring to Ohio State meant to his future and preparing him for a career in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/jWe4EZXSvd
— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) March 26, 2025

"Howard performed a 65-pass script in front of all 32 teams at Ohio State's pro day," Reid wrote on Thursday. "He showed efficiency down the field and over the middle, two types of throws that were emphasized during the workout.

"'He's big, mobile, and just look how that team responded to his hot run late in the year,' an AFC scout said following the workout."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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