Jalen Milroe Raw NFL Prospect

Alabama now turns the quarterback (QB) page from Bryce Young to Jalen Milroe.

At first glance, Milroe reminded me of Browns’ QB Deshaun Watson (my favorite NFL QB).

He really looks the part and I really like him.

He’s got the big league arm, the size, he’s athletic and he can run like the wind. It’s easy to see why he was a four-star recruit.

However, that’s where this story goes sideways.

After evaluating every one of his snaps in 2022, it turns out, he has a long way to go.

Can he improve?

Only time will tell.

Mechanics 101

Milroe does this thing when he throws.

He tends to open his hips with his right leg swinging forward, which causes erratic ball placement.

Sometimes his throwing motion reminds me of former NFL QB Brett Farve’s unorthodox release.

Milroe is best throwing short and his best route is slant routes.

Outside of that, his throws are a downfield adventure, and you could clearly see how Alabama’s Head Coach Nick Saban felt about the throws when the cameras caught his body language on the sidelines.

Milroe also tends to hold the ball way too long in the pocket, which is another huge no no at the next level.

To his credit, he does tend to go through his progressions, so there is some hope here.

Ball security issues

Milroe saw his most significant action of the season against Texas A&M, and outside of that against Utah State, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt.

The rest of his playing time was seen mopping up for Young when the Crimson Tide clearly had the game in hand.

What’s the moral of this story?

Despite his limited playing time, opposing defenses got their hand on nine of his passes.

Not only that – – he fumbled when he was sacked three times.

That’s 12 issues with ball security in limited action.

That’s a serious problem that stems from his throwing mechanics (or lack thereof).

NFL arm

Milroe is ripped.

He’s very muscular and he can sling the football.

That’s the problem.

This Alabama QB has such a cannon that he relies on his arm strength and not his mechanics.

It’s nothing for Milroe to launch it deep. In fact, he doesn’t even need to put a whole lot of air under his deep attempts.

He took a few deep shots when he was in the games with no success. He got there, just not on target.

Again, because of the issues he has with his throwing mechanics.

Better runner than a passer

Milroe is a very good running QB.

This is his best attribute.

He’s tough and it’s not uncommon to see him put a shoulder into a defender.

Milroe often takes off running when he holds the ball too long in the pocket and the protection breaks down, and he looks good doing it as he picks up sizable chunks of yardage.

He had a huge 77-yard run against Arkansas.

Proper NFL grading

The worst thing that can happen to QB with developmental upside is to be overvalued by NFL Draft media and the NFL.

If don’t believe me, ask Jets’ QB Zach Wilson or 49ers’ QB Trey Lance.

Does Milroe have NFL upside?

Yes.

Does Milroe give off a “dynamic vibe?”

Yes.

The key here is grading him based on what he’s put on game film, not on some “pie in the sky” potential.

That’s the thing busts are made of.

#4 Jalen Milroe 6-foot-2, 212 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Spring 2023 Grade: Fifth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 1.4% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of May 21, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Texas A&M, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Utah State, Austin Peay, Mississippi State, UL Monroe, and Kansas State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 31/53 (58.5%), 297 yards, 5 TD, 3 INT, 4 sacks, long-35

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic thick-framed dual threat with erratic downfield ball placement and ball security issues. Flashes playmaking ability, but hasn’t settled into the position. Good play-action. Best short range. Tends to hold the ball too long. Inconsistent intermediate accuracy. Totally off target deep. Some questionable decisions throwing into double coverage. Physical runner with good running instincts.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Improvement in throwing mechanics pushing off his back foot instead of swinging it open?

2. Release time?

3. Ball security?

4. Does he stay healthy?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.