Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is headed to the NFL in 2025, declaring for the NFL Draft following Alabama’s bowl game loss to Michigan to end 2024 and his Alabama career.
Milroe entered the 2024 season as a Heisman Trophy hopeful and was widely considered one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft class. Milroe, with a new head coach who had a bonified reputation as a quarterback developer, lived up to the hype in the non-conference. In conference play…. not so much.
Underperformance in the conference play hurt Milroe. NFL Draft guru Mel Kipper Jr. has dropped Milroe from the No. 3 rated quarterback to No. 4 in his latest draft board, a small dip but one that could cost him some money. CBS Sport’s Josh Edwards no longer features Milroe in the first round of his 2025 mock draft.
When you look at the NFL, plenty of teams will be in need at the quarterback position in 2025, the Raiders, Giants, Browns, and Saints all have an immediate need with their revolving door at the starter spot in 2024. The Seahawks, Cowboys, Rams, Steelers, and Jets could all be in a position where they are looking for someone to sit behind a veteran quarterback and learn before potentially taking over a starter role. Some teams, like the Titans and Colts, are in a position where it may be time to move on from the young starter who is already there.
There are a ton of different potential landing spots for Milroe. But hear me out: what if a contender drafts Milroe with the intention not to use him as a traditional quarterback but to follow the Taysom Hill model laid out in New Orleans?
Milroe is a total athlete; no, the passing numbers aren’t there. His struggles against Power Four defenses are real and concerning for his NFL future. He will have to improve and develop. But wouldn’t you rather see that in a situation where his raw athleticism could be of use while he is still young and injury-free?
What defines Milroe is his ability to run. He carried the ball 168 times this season for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns. According to ProFootballFocus, his 20 touchdowns were the second-most among quarterbacks this season, and he was No.11 among quarterbacks in rushing yards.
Place him in a situation with a grounded long-term quarterback on a good team. He will have time to develop. He can work as a backup quarterback, but his youth and athletic ability won’t go to waste.
There’s also a benefit to Milroe in this situation. Quarterbacks come and go in the NFL. So even with a contender, Milroe may have a chance to become a full-time league quarterback. As a backup, he would be in a situation with good playmakers and a good offensive line, and when he does get traditional quarterback reps, he’d be in a good situation.
More to Milroe’s benefit, though, he could be a guy like Taysom Hill or Deebo Samuel, where specific plays are made to highlight his athleticism. Getting him snaps early on helps him gain confidence and develop. While also adding instant value to whatever team drafts him. This could also turn into more money and opportunity for Milroe down the line as he develops and acquires a reputation as a playmaker without running the risk of making as many mistakes.
Most importantly for Milroe, with the exception of freak of nature Lamar Jackson, running quarterbacks age like milk in the summertime. Milroe is going to take hard, fast hits in the NFL. Putting him in while he’s injury-free and still at his athletic peak will help Milroe adjust to the speed of play while mitigating how much he gets hit. It will allow him to learn when to use his legs and when to throw.
There are a million possibilities for Milroe in 2025, but seeing him as the backup with Detroit, Green Bay, San Francisco, or Kansas City while contributing could be the best-case scenario for Milroe. Even if he struggles as so many quarterbacks do in the NFL and washes out of the toughest position in the league, he could still develop and have a career this way.
It would be great to see Milroe turn into the next Alabama-made NFL great, but the collegiate numbers don’t tell you that he’s ready. So instead of just drafting him to sit, or bringing him somewhere to start before he’s ready, let him turn into the NFL’s next Swiss army knife.