Jalen Milroe Receives Early 2024 Game Film Grade

First Round Mock’s NFL Draft Analyst Rajvir Bal looks at one of the most talked about quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.

Jalen Milroe

Quarterback

Alabama Crimson Tide

Get to know that name if you don’t already.

He’s been mocked into the first round by many mainstream draft platforms. The Draft Network, 33rd Team, Bleacher Report, CBS, Draftwire, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, SB Nation, and Fox Sports all have given him a first-round grade since September when the season started (nflmockdraftdatabase.com).

How do I see him?

Not as a first-round value.

Background

The retirement of Alabama’s last head coach Nick Saban January 10, 2024, signified a new start for Alabama football. The legend had produced multiple blue-chip quarterback prospects and was largely considered the best coach in college football as it relates to producing NFL talent. Milroe is one of those players Saban recruited (247Sports).

Stats:

2023:

• 187 completions
• 284 attempts (65.8%)
• 2,834 yards 
• 23 touchdowns
• Six interceptions
• 161 carries for 531 yards (3.3 yards per carry average) and 12 touchdowns

2024 (through the first six games):

• 96 completions
• 132 attempts (72.7%)
• 1,483 yards 
• 12 touchdowns
• Four interceptions
• 77 carries for 319 yards (4.1 yards per carry average) and 11 touchdowns

In between the 2023 and the 2024 seasons, Milroe assimilated into new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s offensive system. DeBoer came to Alabama by way of the University of Washington where he was responsible for developing Falcons 2024 first-round selection QB Michael Penix Jr.

Milroe is in the 33rd percentile for height and 61st percentile for weight in the quarterback position (per NFLDraftBuzz).

#4 Jalen Milroe 6-foot-2, 225 pounds 
Rajvir Bal’s Fall 2025 NFL Draft Grade: Mid-Second-Round (I would select him)
Projected by 40.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of October 15, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film reviewed: Vanderbilt, Georgia, Wisconsin, USF, and WKU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

The Good

Milroe’s bread and butter is over the middle of the field. Across the middle, he can take what the defense gives him and skillfully carve up the secondary. Against the powerhouse Georgia defense, Milroe performed admirably and was able to pull out a win. This is of importance because it will be one of the few times the Crimson Tide faces higher-level college competition. He was able to go through his progressions well and did not have any trouble “locking on” to his first look. When given ample blocking and open field, he is very competent with his legs. He is constantly able to gain sufficient yards on a scramble if the opportunity presents itself to him. He did make some great-looking throws when he was on target. The Alabama pro-style offense showcases how he may fare in the NFL better than a more college-centric air-raid offense may. Lastly, Milroe is a great leader and is beloved by his teammates.

The Bad

Milroe doesn’t seem pro-ready due to being jittery and indecisive. His biggest issue on film is the amount of time he holds on to the ball, which causes him to take unneeded sacks and interceptions. Additionally, even though he has the athletic tools to be a good runner, there were plays he ended up running straight into a defensive player. His accuracy is hit or miss and is mediocre at best. Overall, Milroe has some pretty detrimental setbacks to his game.

Final Thoughts for now

Milroe presents as a solid QB on film.

He has QB1 upside in the NFL, but he will likely not be a long-term starter for one singular team. The grade I gave him reflects that while he is a passable player, he is not franchise-changing, and should not be treated as such. Teams like the Seahawks, Jets, Rams, and others should consider him as a development project. He will not be ready to start out of the gate.

Milroe reminds me a lot of former Titans and Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill, and I would expect him to have a similar career.

Rajvir Bal is a high school student from the Virginia area. He grew up a rabid Washington Redskins fan, attending more than 30 games, and has enjoyed the team’s high points and low points throughout his life. He plays varsity football and basketball. Rajvir has taken an interest in the NFL Draft since middle school when his team picked Montez Sweat and Dwayne Haskins in the first round. His favorite NFL player ever flips between Rob Gronkowski and Brett Favre, and his favorite athlete is LeBron James. He has been writing his own scouting reports since 2020, and is excited for the opportunities FirstRoundMock provides.