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Will Jalen Milroe be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? Andrew Ball analyzes the Alabama quarterback and his draft stock ahead of the April selection process.
A great quarterback leads to wins. A mediocre quarterback puts a team at the top of the draft order, or worse, purgatory.
That's why teams will gamble on quarterbacks with question marks in the NFL Draft. Fixing accuracy or turnover issues can vault a franchise into a contender.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe enters the 2025 NFL Draft with glaring weaknesses but outstanding athleticism. Will his strengths make him a first-round pick in April? Let's break it down.
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Jalen Milroe's College Production
Jalen Milroe was Alabama's full-time starter in 2023 and 2024. Statistically, his 2023 campaign was the better of the two. Under Nick Saban, he threw 23 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 531 yards and 12 scores on the ground. That led to a sixth-place finish for the Heisman Trophy.
He took a step back under Kalen DeBoer. He relied more on his legs, totaling 726 rushing yards and 2o touchdowns. His 16:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio cost Alabama wins and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Kip doesn't like teams from Alabama...@KipLewis9 | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/jCLU5BjI6G
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 24, 2024
The lasting memory of Milroe's final season is multiple-turnover games. He gave the football away three times in the loss to Oklahoma, victory over Auburn, and defeat to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Will Jalen Milroe Be A First-Round Pick In The 2025 NFL Draft?
Physically speaking, Milroe is one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. He has a great arm and can make most throws, but he doesn't fully trust himself when reading a defense.
Quarterbacks who tend to bail out of clean pockets early and rely on athleticism struggle in the NFL. Anthony Richardson and Trey Lance fit that mold.
However, some NFL general managers will see the intangibles and upside and swing for the fences, hoping to turn Milroe into someone like Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts. With Carson Beck staying in the college ranks, Milroe is the consensus third quarterback on the board behind Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward.
Jalen Milroe's quickness, acceleration and top-end speed makes him a nightmare to defend when he takes off in the open-field.
He turns a 3rd & 15 into a 77-yard run, making multiple defenders miss in the process. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/MmBVVirHjm
— WBG84 (@WBG84) January 21, 2025
Depending on his Pro Day and NFL Combine results, Milroe could sneak up draft boards. Quarterbacks are always a hot commodity, and a handful of quarterback-needy teams are near the top. Or, he could be selected by a team with an aging veteran (Seahawks, Steelers, or Rams) in the back half of the first round to let him sit and learn for a season.
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