Scout's view: Why Alabama QB Jalen Milroe bears watching
Daniel Kelly spent four years in pro scouting with the New York Jets. He is the published author of the book "Whatever It Takes," the story of a fan making it into the NFL.
While I'm not officially stamping Alabama QB Jalen Milroe with a first-round NFL Draft grade, I am moving the redshirt sophomore to the top of my first-round watch list.
Beyond my tier-one QB prospects Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Joe Milton III (Tennessee), Jordan Travis (Florida State), Cameron Rising (Utah), Cameron Ward (Washington State), Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Caleb Williams (Southern Cal), Milroe has the highest ceiling of the rest of college QBs who could be in the 2024 NFL Draft.
At first, I did a double-take when watching Milroe fill in for QB Bryce Young at Alabama last season. He looked like the second coming of Browns QB Deshaun Watson. They have similar size — Milroe is 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds while Watson is 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds — and each has elite arm strength and running ability. Both also wear No. 4.
In my initial assessment of Milroe, however, I tagged him with a fifth-round grade. It's clear he has a dynamic vibe and physical tools, but he was still too raw. On 2022 film, his throws were erratic and defenders disrupted nine of his passes in eight games. His throwing mechanics were problematic, too, especially his footwork.
As a freshman, Milroe — who squatted over 500 pounds then — relied on elite arm strength when throwing. But he opened his hips and his right leg swung forward awkwardly as he threw the ball. His feet were nearly next to each other when passing, thus creating spotty results.
But in a game against Arkansas last October, Milroe scored on this amazing run, opening my eyes to the 20-year-old's potential.
During Alabama's spring game, Milroe exhibited improved passing skills. Despite his inconsistencies in passing early in the game, Milroe showed better throwing mechanics overall. He threw with his feet farther apart (a wider base) while driving the ball off his back foot more than before.
The result was an increase in downfield accuracy. The completions began popping.
Alabama hasn't named a starting QB, but I believe that after watching that scrimmage, Milroe gives the Crimson Tide its best chance. In the spring game, he went 19-for-37 for 245 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. On the last drive, he went 4-for-4, delivering an accurate, 10-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone.
Undoubtedly, Milroe has work to do before I arrive at his final grade. He has the advantage of playing at a school that has had a recent run of NFL starting QBs in Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, Mac Jones and Young.
There's recent precedence for under-the-radar QBs like Milroe rising in the eyes of NFL scouts. In the past three drafts, three first-rounders have come out of the blue.
- 2021 North Dakota State QB Trey Lance (unrated top-130 QB by Pro Football Focus in August 2020)
- 2022 Pitt QB Kenny Pickett (rated No. 52 QB PFF in June 2021)
- 2023 Florida QB Anthony Richardson (rated No. 30 QB PFF in July 2022)
Milroe could parallel the path of the strong-armed Richardson, who went from not playing much to being the No. 4 overall pick by Indianapolis in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Before 2022, Richardson had 66 college career passing attempts. Heading into this season, Milroe has 60. In 2022, Richardson had a 53.8% completion percentage to Milroe's 58.5.
Milroe is not ranked in the top 10 NFL QB prospects by Pro Football Focus, which has yet to publish its extended list. As for the rest of the NFL Draft community, I hear mostly crickets on the Alabama QB, which is fine by me.
Keep an eye on this kid and Alabama, which opens Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee State.
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