Jalen Milroe’s 2024 campaign at Alabama Crimson Tide was a masterclass in contrasts. There were jaw-dropping highlights—like that thrilling win over Georgia where he broke contain, launched bombs, and ran like a wideout with pads—and maddening moments where accuracy issues and decision-making under pressure caught up to him. Games like Tennessee and Michigan gave scouts pause. But there was always something brewing just underneath: the kind of athletic profile that makes NFL evaluators sit forward in their chairs. Milroe never quite ironed out the rough edges, but what he lacked in polish, he made up for with raw electricity.
And that’s what showed up at Alabama’s Pro Day, where he ran a blistering 4.37-second 40-yard dash—an absurd time for a 6’2”, 225-pound passer—and zipped throws like he was in a video game. The expected movement skills were there. What caught people off guard was the rhythm and accuracy he showed in throwing drills, sparking conversations that had less to do with athleticism and more with projection. And that’s why former QB scout and Yahoo Sports analyst Nate Tice dropped the nugget that shook the room. “I’ve had an offensive coordinator, a quarterback coach, and an assistant GM—I should just say an exec, one of those people—all say he was the best quarterback interview at the combine,” Tice revealed. “The best, and like definitively.”
This wasn’t prompted. These were unprovoked, off-the-cuff remarks from high-level NFL minds. Tice explained, “It wasn’t me going like, ‘What did you think of Jalen Milroe?’ or them just going—you know who really knocked my socks off? Jalen Milroe.” The buzz wasn’t manufactured. It was organic. And when it’s that universal, it sticks. “All of them kind of came just offhand comments when we’re talking about some stuff… and all of them went out of their way to say something nice about Jalen Milroe.”
Then Dan Brugler chimed in with, “Well, he grew up in a military (family). Both his parents were in the military. So it’s very structured. Very like—he has that team-first mentality. That’s how he was raised.” And Tice, smooth as ever, just dropped, “He’s a Saban quarterback.” That last line hits harder than most realize. Being a ‘Saban quarterback’ doesn’t mean flashy. It means you understand responsibility. You live inside a structure. You lead with clarity.
But Jalen Milroe’s tape paints a player that’s often talked about with a lazy label: ‘just a running quarterback.’ One anonymous NFL executive says that couldn’t be further from the truth. “He’s one of the most intriguing guys in the entire draft. There’s a narrative that he’s just a running quarterback, but that’s way off,” the executive said. “His deep ball can be a major weapon at the next level. I’ve watched him a lot—he’s very capable in the pocket and carves up zone defenses well.” That’s the kind of analysis that pushes a player up a team’s draft board. He’s not just an athlete playing QB—he’s a quarterback with the athleticism to break defenses in ways most players can’t.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 01: Jalen Milroe #QB11 of Alabama participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 01, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“There’s a lot to work with, and I like the kid,” the same exec said. And that’s the truth about Jalen Milroe. You’re not drafting a finished product. You’re drafting a moldable piece of clay with top-tier traits. You see flashes of Lamar Jackson in the open field. A bit of Jalen Hurts when he plants and throws and a whole lot of untapped ceiling. The Combine interviews may not show up on highlight reels. But they revealed something more important. His football IQ, coachability, and how deeply embedded leadership is in his DNA.
Jalen Milroe’s combination of tools and intangible qualities has positioned him as one of the draft’s true wildcards. He’ll need the right situation—a team with patience, a creative offensive coordinator, and a QB-friendly culture. If that fit clicks, someone’s going to walk away with a high-upside franchise QB for a bargain.
Mike Mayock sees $8B potential in Bama’s Jalen Milroe
Could Jalen Milroe be the next hidden gem in the NFL Draft? Former Raiders GM Mike Mayock seems to think so—and he’s got his eyes set on Hollywood. The Alabama QB isn’t expected to go on Day 1, but Mayock believes the $8 billion-worth Los Angeles Rams might be the perfect match, saying, “I don’t think he’s going to go until the second day, and to me, the best place for him to land would be the Los Angeles Rams.”
With Sean McVay publicly downplaying QB interest—“I haven’t done a whole lot of work” on the position, he said at the league meetings—there’s a chance they’re just playing it cool before pouncing. And with no second-round pick but two third-rounders, LA is in a prime spot to take a developmental swing.
“Most people around the league think he’s a project, and I don’t disagree,” Mayock continued. “They also think he’s got an exciting skillset, and again, I don’t disagree.” Mayock even added, “I think he’d have a real chance to develop.” Pair Milroe with Matthew Stafford for a couple of years, let him marinate under McVay, and who knows? That $8B upside might just become the league’s best-kept secret.
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