Jalen Milroe to Steelers, Will Howard to Rams in Mel Kiper, Yates 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Nine days from the start of the 2025 NFL draft, analysts are still trying to figure out what will happen with the quarterbacks after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders likely come off the board early in the first round.

In a joint three-round mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates, two of the most-debated quarterbacks in this class are projected to come off the board in round three.

Kiper projected the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade up for the No. 68 overall pick to select Jalen Milroe. Later in the round, Yates gave Will Howard to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 90.

In projecting Milroe to the Steelers, Kiper noted they need to find a long-term answer at quarterback even if they are able to sign Aaron Rodgers.

Milroe's stock, in particular, is fascinating to keep an eye on. He is one of 17 prospects who accepted an invite from the NFL to attend the draft in person, which is usually an indication the league expects them to be selected in the first round or very early in the second round.

The scouting reports for Milroe make it easy to understand why NFL teams would be tantalized by his skill set. He didn't qualify for a relative athletic score due to limited information, but his speed did come in at the elite level.

B/R's NFL scouting department projected Milroe to be selected by the New York Giants at No. 34 overall in its most recent mock released on Tuesday.

It would be a bit of a surprise if the Steelers and Giants don't come out of the draft with a quarterback. Milroe is a developmental project, but the upside is huge with his combination of running ability and arm talent.

The Rams and Matthew Stafford continued their annual tradition of possibly splitting up, only to come back together for at least one more year. It's perhaps notable that their reunion this offseason didn't include the Rams adding additional years to his contract, so he's only signed through 2026.

Stafford is also 37 years old, so the Rams need to start thinking about their long-term future at the position regardless of his contract status.

Howard doesn't possess the kind of off-the-charts tools a player like Milroe does, but he has earned high marks for his size, athleticism and ability to fit the ball into tight windows in the short and intermediate areas of the field.

That type of skill set is something Rams head coach Sean McVay is capable of maximizing. It's not unlike what he previously had with Jared Goff.

The Rams wouldn't have to start Howard until 2026, at the earliest, and taking a flier on a talented quarterback in the third round is smart business for an organization that can afford to take a long-term view after having one of the youngest offensive rosters in the NFL by snap-weighted age last season.