The 2025 NFL Draft may not have the wild QB carousel of years past, but it’s quietly shaping up to be a high-stakes proving ground—especially for Jalen Milroe. Just a year ago, the Alabama quarterback was being hyped as one of the most explosive dual-threat talents in the country. And to be fair, the athleticism is still jaw-dropping. But as we inch closer to draft night, reality is setting in—and it’s not all bright lights and top-10 projections.
In a draft class featuring polished quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Jaxson Dart, Milroe suddenly finds himself trailing in the rankings, staring at a second-round grade and a long list of questions to answer.
A draft board shakeup
On March 31st, the NFL’s official Instagram account shared Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 QB prospects for the 2025 Draft. Jalen Milroe? Fourth on the list—behind Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Miami’s Cam Ward, and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.
That ranking alone sent a message. Despite his physical tools, Milroe is being outshined by quarterbacks considered more refined, more accurate, and more NFL-ready. According to NFL.com’s three-round mock draft, Milroe is projected to land with the Pittsburgh Steelers—at pick No. 52.
That’s not the first-round spotlight many expected. Especially not from a guy who totaled 2,844 passing yards, 16 TDs, over 700 rushing yards, and 20 scores on the ground last season.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—Milroe’s ceiling is high. But the tape shows why he’s slipping. Even with an offensive mastermind like Kalen DeBoer guiding him, Milroe never quite became the consistent, mistake-free quarterback scouts wanted to see. He was dynamic in moments—like the Iron Bowl comeback—but inconsistent when it mattered most. In each of Alabama’s four losses, Milroe never rushed for more than 12 yards, averaging just 8.8 per game. When defenses closed his running lanes, his impact disappeared.
Turnovers were another issue. In his final three college games, he had three giveaways per game. Not ideal heading into a league that demands precision and ball security. Speaking of which, Milroe fumbled 24 times in just two seasons. He was also sacked 67 times. Yes, Bama’s O-line wasn’t perfect, but Milroe held onto the ball too long far too often.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah saw this firsthand during the Combine. “He’s a lot more comfortable when he can just drive it. I don’t know that the layered throws… are still a work in progress with Milroe,” Jeremiah said during coverage. He added, “He’s got a hose, though. It’s just a matter of directing it and being a little more precise with the footwork, which is going to help with your accuracy.”
So, the arm talent is there. But the control and polish? Still developing.
The fan pulse: Mixed at best
With Milroe sliding down boards and being projected as a mid-second-round pick, fans across the league chimed in—and the reactions were all over the place. A Giants fan on X, Bobby Spence, started a conversation with a blunt question: “Thoughts on taking Jalen Milroe in the 2nd round?”
Another replied: “I would like to trade back into the second round, I rather take a DT with 34th pick.” That take might sting a bit, but it reflects a growing sentiment—teams are hesitant to gamble on Milroe early, especially with other positional needs.
One fan put it pretty straight: “He’s a project so how many years do you want to watch Russ/Jameis? I’d say he probably needs 2 years to get NFL ready.” That’s the thing with Milroe—he’s going to need some time and the right fit. You can’t just toss him into the starting lineup week one. But as a long-term project with crazy athletic potential? In the right round, he’s a steal. Like another fan snarkily suggested, “Just fine. Draft Hunter #3 & Milroe #34. I’m cool with it.” So yeah, patience is going to be key for whoever takes a chance on Milroe.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: Georgia at Alabama Sep 28, 2024 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe 4 warms up prior to their game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tuscaloosa Bryant-Denny Stadium Alabama USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxDavidxMercerx 20240928_jdm_sx1_006
Then there was a classic boom-or-bust evaluation: “Ultimate boom/bust guy. Talent to become a star at the position. Also may never play a down as a starter. If Sanders isn’t there/they decide not to take him, ok. But I still think you take Sanders at 3 if available.” That last part speaks volumes. Despite some critics pointing to Shedeur Sanders’ Combine interview demeanor as “arrogant,” he’s still locked in as a likely top-5 pick—and possibly QB2 off the board. Milroe? He’s not even guaranteed to go on Day 1.
Another fan chimed in with a broader view: “I would say yes if we didn’t have 3 veteran QBs and a solid QB class next year.” The Giants, in particular, have a full house with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito. So, timing becomes another hurdle for Milroe’s NFL fit.
Stat-wise, Milroe has some serious highlights. But underneath the numbers is a player who’s still figuring things out. He forced 67 missed tackles—impressive—but ranked just 50th among FBS QBs in scramble yards (200 total). In the SEC, that barely cracked the top 10. For someone whose legs are a huge part of his game, that’s a concern.
And let’s not forget his current draft projections are all over the place. Pro Football Network floated him as a potential No. 1 overall pick—not likely, but the talent is that intriguing. Draft Wire has him going 52nd to Pittsburgh. That’s a huge spread. The range of outcomes is wide because the floor and ceiling are miles apart.
The good news? Milroe still has time. With the draft a month away, he can still climb boards with the right interviews, workouts, and private meetings. His 21-5 record as a starter proves he knows how to win. But in the NFL, that’s just the start. He needs to prove he can be consistent, accurate, and protect the football.
And Milroe isn’t just fighting to prove himself—he’s fighting perception. Names like Sanders, Ward, and Dart are being labeled “safer bets.” That puts Milroe in a tough spot—trying to convince teams that his ceiling is worth the risk. The tools? They’re there. The resume? Solid. But the polish? Still a work in progress. So now, with draft boards stacked against him and three quarterbacks already ahead in line, Milroe’s got one job: flip the script. And fast.
The post Jalen Milroe Faces Harsh Reality as 2025 NFL Draft Class Features 3 QBs Rated Tougher Than Him appeared first on EssentiallySports.
