🧠 The Evolution of Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe’s path hasn’t been the standard blueprint for an NFL-bound quarterback. When he first arrived at Alabama, he was viewed as a raw athlete with tantalizing upside but lacked the polish of a prototypical pocket passer. Fast forward to the end of the 2024 college football season, and Milroe has made significant strides—not just as an athlete, but as a leader and game manager. His growth under center played a huge part in Alabama’s offensive resurgence.
Milroe’s ability to bounce back from a benching early in his career showed maturity and resilience—traits NFL teams deeply value in a quarterback.
🎯 Strengths and Upside
Milroe’s skill set is tailor-made for the modern NFL offense, especially as teams continue to embrace mobile quarterbacks with RPO-heavy schemes and spread concepts.
Strengths:
- Elite Mobility: Milroe’s 4.4-range speed and elusiveness make him dangerous on designed runs and scrambles.
- Deep Ball Arm Strength: He can stretch the field vertically, keeping defenses honest.
- Red Zone Weapon: 20+ rushing touchdowns in 2024 prove he’s lethal near the goal line.
- Leadership and Poise: Showed growth in command of Alabama’s offense in high-stakes games.
Areas of Concern:
- Accuracy and Ball Placement: Needs to improve in short and intermediate windows.
- Reading Defenses: Must process faster and anticipate coverage rotations.
- Turnover Tendency: His 11 interceptions in 2024 underscore decision-making concerns.
NFL scouts know that while Milroe is not yet a finished product, his ceiling may be among the highest of any quarterback in the 2025 class.
🧩 NFL Comparisons
Milroe draws comparisons to several dual-threat QBs who have made noise in the league.
🔸 Cam Newton (Early Career):
Both have a similar build, physicality, and ability to take over games with their legs. Cam was more refined coming out of Auburn, but Milroe has a comparable flair and leadership style.
🔸 Jalen Hurts:
Hurts also started at Alabama, faced adversity, and improved as a passer at the next level. Both share a similar athletic profile, work ethic, and leadership traits. Hurts is now a model for what Milroe could become with the right coaching.
🔸 Justin Fields:
Like Fields, Milroe needs to develop quicker reads but has game-breaking potential. Fields’ journey in Chicago offers a cautionary tale about fit and coaching support—two things Milroe must get right.
🧪 Scheme Fit & Developmental Path
To succeed, Milroe will need to land in a system that plays to his strengths while giving him time to develop. A team with an innovative offensive coordinator and a stable QB room would be ideal.
Best System Fits:
- West Coast with RPO Wrinkles
- Zone-Read & Spread Option Systems
- Vertical Passing Offenses with Motion Concepts
He likely won’t be a Week 1 starter, but with a redshirt rookie year or a specialized “package” role (like Taysom Hill’s early Saints role), Milroe can contribute early while refining his skills behind the scenes.
🏈 Expanded Look: Potential NFL Destinations
Let’s take a deeper dive into the five most intriguing potential destinations for Milroe in the 2025 NFL Draft.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Pick #21 or Round 2 Trade Up)
Pittsburgh’s interest is legit—they’ve already met with Milroe. With Russell Wilson likely a stopgap and Justin Fields in need of competition, Milroe would enter a QB room that emphasizes mobility and can be patient with development. OC Arthur Smith loves play-action and power-run games, which could mesh well with Milroe’s strengths.
Fit Grade: A-
Development Timeline: 1-2 years
2. New England Patriots (Round 2)
With Jacoby Brissett as a bridge and a rebuilding roster, Milroe could be the face of a new era. The Patriots don’t have the weapons or offensive line for a young QB to thrive immediately, but their long-term vision could make Milroe a perfect project if paired with a QB-savvy OC.
Fit Grade: B+
Development Timeline: 2+ years
3. Atlanta Falcons (Round 2 or 3)
Atlanta has surrounded Kirk Cousins with skill talent and an emerging line. Drafting Milroe to sit behind Cousins and develop under Zac Robinson’s Sean McVay-inspired scheme could be perfect. Think of it like how the Packers groomed Jordan Love.
Fit Grade: A
Development Timeline: 2 years
4. Tennessee Titans (Late Round 2 / Early 3)
The Titans could be looking at a post-Will Levis future if his development stalls. Milroe would offer a dynamic contrast and inject energy into an offense that often lacks explosiveness.
Fit Grade: B
Development Timeline: 1-2 years
5. Indianapolis Colts (Round 2 with Trade Up)
Anthony Richardson is the entrenched starter, but a team with a mobile QB may look to double down on a similar backup type to keep the offense consistent. Milroe would get time and mentorship in Shane Steichen’s system.
Fit Grade: B
Development Timeline: Backup/Insurance
📊 Draft Stock and Pro Day Buzz
Milroe’s pro day showed off his cannon arm and athleticism, confirming what scouts saw on film. He interviewed well, too—earning praise for his intelligence and humility. However, his Senior Bowl performance (if invited) and team workouts will weigh heavily on whether he’s drafted on Day 2 or slips to Day 3.
Current Projection:
- Best Case: Early Round 2 (Pick #33-45)
- Likely Range: Mid to Late Round 2
- Floor: Early Round 4
🔍 X-Factor: Coaching and Support
Milroe’s NFL success hinges not just on his development but on organizational stability. Look at how situations affected recent QBs:
- Tua Tagovailoa (early injuries, then stability with Mike McDaniel)
- Justin Fields (coaching turnover and scheme mismatch)
- Jalen Hurts (thrived with continuity and offensive investment)
Milroe needs a front office and coaching staff committed to his growth. If he lands somewhere chaotic, his margin for error shrinks drastically.
Jalen Milroe may not be the most polished passer in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he is unquestionably one of its most intriguing talents. His ceiling, in the right hands, could rival the top quarterbacks of this generation. Milroe’s path will be less about where he goes and more about who guides him along the way.
