Eye-popping Jalen Milroe 40-yard dash time could boost NFL Draft stock

Per NFL.com's Combine IQ, only two quarterbacks have posted a sub-4.5s 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine since 2003-25.

2011 Heisman-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III ran the fastest 40-yard dash time during that span, finishing in 4.41 seconds (2012). In 2023, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick of that year's draft, ran a 4.43-second 40.

Milroe's blazing time could lead front offices to reconsider his draft stock. Per media reports, the Steelers visited with Milroe ahead of his pro day, and he could be a first-round NFL Draft option if they still need a quarterback. Pittsburgh holds the No. 21 overall pick.

Undoubtedly a great athlete, concerns about Milroe's passing abilities could scare teams — even quarterback-needy ones like Pittsburgh — away.

In 2024, Milroe was 205-of-319 (64.3 percent) for 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

In Alabama's four losses, Milroe completed 55.1 percent of his attempts and threw three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Per Pro Football Focus data, he was limited to 2.8 yards per designed rushing attempt, scoring one rushing touchdown with four total fumbles.

NFL defenses will focus on stopping Milroe as a runner, forcing him to beat them with his arm, something he didn't consistently do at Alabama.

But if there's a team in the NFL that we'd expect to run the ball 50 times a game and make it work, it's the Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin is already salivating at the idea.

Despite his limitations as a passer, Milroe showed at Bama's pro day that he has game-changing speed — so much so that he might have altered some teams' draft plans.