By normal standards and what NFL teams usually look at, Howard is a late-round pick. Mock drafts and draft expert put him as a fifth-round talent, on average. Howard looks like a solid NFL backup but not a franchise quarterback, and solid NFL backups are usually found in the fifth or sixth round.

Athlon Sports' Luke Easterling has Howard absent from his final four-round NFL mock draft. The Athletic's Dane Brugler has the Las Vegas Raiders selecting Howard with the No. 143 overall pick in the fifth round, reuniting the star with former Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.