QB Jalen Milroe Prospect Deep Dive: Is The Heisman Candidate a Legitimate Top-Ten Talent?

Before this current college season, I saw a decent bit of play from Jalen Milroe and was quickly intrigued. I went into his full evaluation with high hopes. Let’s just say there’s a lot to love but also a lot that draws concern. Milroe has the prototypical skill set we’ve seen in QBs who’ve been drafted high recently. He has a terrific arm and is an explosive and aggressive runner. Those two areas of his game could lead to a true franchise QB down the line. The big question we’ll be assessing is whether he has the intangible skill set to get drafted early or not. More importantly, will he have what it takes to go on and succeed in the pros?

One thing I’ve learned about scouting QBs in my young years so far is that the element of human character has an unparalleled effect on QB’s success. I can’t sit down and have long-form private conversations with these players. Therefore, I can only speculate on this aspect. In addition to character having an impact on QB’s development, the aspect of the environment and surrounding core plays a massive effect too. I’ll give my best potential landing spots where I think he’ll go on to succeed.

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve been vastly off about some QB prospects from the recent past. There are many reasons why some of the QBs I was high on didn’t pan out. I can admit I didn’t foresee those reasons. My goal for this scouting report is to give the best analysis of how well he’s played up to this point and what his upside looks like.

Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

Jalen Milroe’s Stats (per PFF)

(Through WK Five)

Film Analysis

Jalen Milroe throws a massive TD in the clip above against a cover-four defense. The play-call was designed to specifically beat cover four, and Milroe executes it to perfection. The wheel route to the left dragged the left quarter zone defender out of the play while the other Receiver faked inside deep and broke to the left where there was no one to defend it. He flashes decent pocket movement and this is the kind of throw most NFL QBs couldn’t make.

This play exemplifies how great of potential Milroe has. While moving to his right, he fires a missile with perfect ball placement. The velocity here is outstanding.

This play is from the one all-22 game I’ve watched so far from this season, and he shows he improved his ability to anticipate. Not only is it impressive touch and precision but he begins throwing the ball as the Receiver is still fighting to get open.

He throws a beautiful touch pass on a slot fade route in this one. It’s nothing remarkable, but he continues to show excellent ball placement and timing.

Grades

OVR Grade: 1-100

Jalen Milroes’s Pros And Cons

Jalen Milroe Bio

Jalen Milroe may have a few concerning deficiencies but will surely tantalize NFL organizations across the league with his skill set. While far from a sure thing, he has better physical tools than any other QB in this class.

Pros

• While he doesn’t exactly have a rocket arm, he’s more than capable of throwing with velocity while off-platform or moving.
• Flashes of lethal ball placement on impact throws. Exceptional instincts and feel for where to place the ball downfield.
• Excellent first step to help escape the pocket and has good enough speed to outrun most Linebackers.
• Showed noticeable improvement with his short-intermediate accuracy and anticipation so far in 2024.
• Decision-making is a huge plus, especially considering his age. One of the best turnover-worthy play rates in college as of week five and that’s when he’s a willing shot-taker.
• Played at the highest level of college ball and has a fantastic balance of youth and experience.
• Impressive reactionary skills when things go south.
• Alabama OC, Nick Sheridan was quoted saying “He’s as hard of a working player as I’ve ever been around.”

Cons

• Doesn’t have a clean feel for how to read out a defense. His eyes are sometimes all over the place and puts so much concentration into trying to find an open Receiver, that he often forgets about the pass rush
• Natural pocket presence was almost non-existent, especially in his RS-Sophmore year. Just doesn’t feel the rush coming most of the time and looks frenetic.
• Not many anticipatory throws on his tape, but that could change throughout the year.
• Needs to learn how to slide and avoid hits. It’s like he’s trying to bring on contact when he runs. However, I feel like the Alabama coaching staff pushed him to be aggressive as a runner due to their deep QB room.
• Can get a bit ‘toesy’ when in the pocket meaning he’s not always getting his cleats in the ground as he throws.
• Tends to sail balls in the intermediate range.

Combine (TBD)

40:

Ten:

Broad:

Vertical:

Bench:

Arm Length:

Hand Size:

Pro Day (TBD)

40:

Ten:

Broad:

Vertical:

Bench:

Arm Length:

Hand Size:

All-22 Exposures

• Texas, 2023
• Texas A&M, 2023
• Georgia, 2023
• Michigan, 2023
• Wisconsin, 2024

Best Landing Spots for Jalen Milroe

• LA Rams
• Seattle Seahawks

Conclusion on Jalen Milroe

Jalen Milroe surprisingly didn’t have much first-round buzz coming into the year. However, he’s been putting on a show so far in 2024. I’d say the hype around him is warranted. That is because he has the best set of physical traits out of any other QB from this class. Although, that isn’t to say he’s the best QB prospect available this year. Call me a homer but I have Noah Fifita ahead of him by a slight margin (that might change after doing a full all-22 breakdown). The main reason why I’m not sky-high on Milroe is he has some problems that’ll hinder him early on. His comfortability in the pocket is a genuine concern as that’s something that usually doesn’t improve overnight. That said, if I’m a team that’s picking top-ten, I have a trusted coach, and there is enough surrounding talent in place. I’m pulling the trigger on him.

It’s important to note that the Sam Darnold comparison is no shot at Milroe. It’s more of a comparison to who Darnold was as a prospect who was the third overall pick. They are comparable athletes and both have excellent velocity, especially when throwing on the run. Furthermore, Darnold has incredible ball placement at times but struggles with general accuracy and I see that with Milroe too.

I chose LA and Seattle as the best landing spots. He needs a decent degree of surrounding talent. A coach who knows how to play to his strengths is also important. Ideally, he sits for a year where there isn’t much pressure on him. If he’s ready to go week one like Jayden Daniels, that’s great but you can’t rely on that to happen. Whoever drafts him must have a solid plan. Milroe is no Joe Burrow who’s going to miraculously save the team immediately. Based on the fact we’ve heard excellent things about his character, I’m leaning more toward the scenario where Milroe goes on to be a star. We’ll have to wait and see what plays out. I feel very confident a team will take him top ten if he keeps up the stellar play.

Value – 2nd QB/ 1st RD