“When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North remembers, “As we head into the 2025 NFL Draft, taking place April 24–26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, all the football circles are abuzz with the OSU star players. And why not? Just when it looked like their season was over after that horrible loss to Michigan in “The Game,” Ryan Day’s team turned it around and has been smashing everyone in the playoffs. The Buckeyes have one final game- the national championship final- and all glory can be theirs. Where does the NFL’s interest stem from?

Just look at these numbers. The team averages 35.8 points per contest. They had a high-octane offense, gaining 6,425 total yards, and 3,977 of them on the ground. But at the center of it all? These are three players who’ve been the talk of the town with dynamite performances. One of them, Jeremiah Smith, is still a freshman but is already being talked about as the No. 1 pick for the 2027 Draft. Where can the other two land this draft? Let us see.

Will Howard: The Colts need a Captain?

Will Howard of Ohio State, 2024: 3,779 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, 7 rushing scores in 2024. His QBR? A solid 87.6. That’s not a numbers line; it’s a CV prepared for NFL Sundays. He’s 6’4″, 235 lbs of poise, with an adjusted completion percentage of 78.6%, and an 8.6 yd average depth of target. He isn’t a first-round pick. Howard’s best showing against a top-five team: he completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. This game was not only an improvement in his accuracy, it helped him surpass a historic single-season and career school record set by C.J. Stroud. but Howard’s stuff screams “developmental starter.” Enter the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts have been quarterback purgatory these past couple of years. A broken hand, a drift: they’ve been looking for a steady head. Howard’s arm power and confidence in the pocket make him a candidate to develop into their offense. He’s a player who’d enter, hold hands with the line, and immediately look like he’s home. The Colts have the retooled coaching staff and a young core to prove it. Howard might be the coach this team needs.

Then there’s the “Patriot Way” — an ageless option still bright as ever. New England has been on a quarterback carousel since Tom Brady’s departure, but Howard’s thinking style would be a natural fit in Foxborough. He is not a flash-and-mirror, but his efficiency is just what the Patriots care about. And under Mike Vrabel (3 Super Bowl rings as a player), Howard would be working with one of the most experienced coaches in football, someone who knows what it takes to take a player to the next level & with Drake Maye just been drafted, That’s the system a QB like Howard would love to run: smart, strategic, precise.

We recently saw Pat McAfee getting all heated when he was told that mock drafts predicted Howard as a round-4 pick. Round 4? McAfee saw it as disrespectful for a player who had done it both at Kansas State and Ohio State. Five years of college experience is no joke. The number of snaps you take in that developmental phase decides your career trajectory. Just look at Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, and CJ Stroud. What’s common? Played a lot of snaps in college. A few current NFL teams are already regretting picking QBs who have barely played in college. Who’s Howard’s favorite QB? Well, Aaron Rodgers. And just like A-Rod, Howard can do it all with his arm.

Emeka Egbuka: Buffalo’s secret weapon?

And now for the guy who is likely to leave NFL scouts doing double-takes on video: Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka has 947 catches, 10 touchdowns, and the ability to fracture ankles on the run, he is a first-round guy from hell. The Buffalo Bills would be a match made in heaven.

Think: Josh Allen comes ripping, gets past a defender, and flings a laser to Egbuka 10 yards ahead of his next corner. That’s the sort of collaboration that defensive coordinators might be giddy over & a strong route-runner like Egbuka might give their offense some options to get into the postseason.

But what about Pittsburgh? The Steelers are tough, dirty, and founded on all-star receivers contested throws on sweltering December nights. Egbuka’s touch: clean, rough, and ruthless screams Pittsburgh. And with Wilson & Fields at the quarterback positions he belongs, this trio could do some serious damage to the Steeler’s offense. Add Egbuka to George Pickens and you have one of the most scary young WR combinations in the NFL.

A wildcard option: look to the Washington Commanders. Jayden Daniels at center, Egbuka’s separation and run-blocking from the slot would twerk well in an offense that requires some speed. With Egbuka’s speed and intelligence, Washington could be a NFC East contender for the first time since 2007, and there would be cause for celebration in the nation’s capital.

Howard and Egbuka’s Ohio State adventures have been nothing if not fantastic and the NFL can be in on the money. Howard’s big arm and consistency in the post could revive a disintegrating team and Egbuka’s skill set and versatility is a plug-and-play hero on any team. Either they’re blazing lights at Lucas Oil Stadium, squaring up in Gillette, or tying it up at Highmark, these two Buckeyes are going to have some history in the pros. The only question now? Which jersey will they stick with next season?