Welcome to another scouting report to prep you for the 2025 NFL Draft. I suggest saving these links, bookmarking them, etc., throughout this process. I will be updating as many as I can from the time I publish these to the time they take part in the Scouting Combine and pro days.
The Steelers need to address quarterback, one way or another. This isn't the strongest class of quarterbacks, but that doesn't mean the team shouldn't take a chance at some point in the draft. Jalen Milroe is perhaps the most talented quarterback in a shaky class, possessing legitimate dual-threat ability and a strong arm. However, accuracy and processing concerns could make or break his ability to succeed in the NFL.
JALEN MILROE
• Position: Quarterback • College: Alabama (2021-24) • Class: Junior (RS) • Height: 6-2 • Weight: 217 • Hand: 9 3/8" • 40-yard dash: 4.40 (pro day) • PFF Big Board: No. 97 • Games watched: vs. Western Kentucky, at Tennessee, at LSU, vs. Auburn
NFL comparison: Lamar Jackson
OVERVIEW
A two-year starter and team captain for the Crimson Tide, Milroe put up promising numbers in 2023, competing 65.8% of his passes for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also added 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. For his performance, his was named a finalist for the Manning Award and finished sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Based off what he did in 2023, Milroe's 2024 season was a bit of a let down. While he completed 64.3% of his passes for 2,844 yards -- almost identical to 2023 -- he threw only 16 touchdown passes and his 11 interceptions were nearly double than the previous season. Milroe's running ability wasn't deterred, however, rushing for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns, the latter of which being a school record.
Milroe is an explosive athlete that will wow you with his legs. We're talking special, unique scrambling ability, but he can really kill defenses when he has any space after he decides to tuck the ball and run. Milroe can also execute quarterback-designed runs between the tackles, making him a weapon in the team's rushing attack, not just an improvisor.
In addition to his elite running ability, Milroe has an NFL arm. There's no question about that. However, his accuracy is far too inconsistent, though that can be cleaned up with good coaching. How he processes the game will be the ultimate decider of success at the NFL level. His pre-snap reading needs improvement, but he can especially get mixed up after the ball is snapped. He also doesn't deal with pressure well, and he holds onto the ball for far too long.
I almost didn't want to put the Lamar Jackson comparison because that implies Milroe can become a multiple time MVP winner. While I don't want to put a limit on what he can grow into, Milroe's ceiling isn't quite as high as Jackson's was when he was coming out of Louisville. But, like Jackson was during this process, there are legitimate concerns about how good of a passer he can be, despite having a great arm and possessing a special ability to win with his legs. Those tools are intriguing enough to consider him for a Day 2 pick.
Because Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and Tom Arth all had dinner with Milroe ahead of his pro day, consider him to be on the Steelers' radar should they seriously consider drafting a quarterback.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES
• Overall grade: 87.4 (24th of 306 QB) • Passing grade: 78.3 • Intermediate grade: 90.7 • Deep grade: 93.1 • No pressure grade: 88.7 • Pressure grade: 51.6
STRENGTHS
• His speed and athleticism really jumps off the tape. He's an elite runner that not only can extend plays outside of the pocket, but escape pressure unlike any other quarterback in this class or many other NFL quarterbacks.
• Has exceptional vision to make runs between the tackles. He can use his explosive acceleration to gain chunks of yards if he finds a lane, even in tight spaces. One of the better running quarterbacks to come out of college in a while. He can slaughter defenses with his legs.
• Has a strong base when dropping back and has a clean pocket, making it easier to make accurate throws on platform.
• At times, his touch and accuracy on intermediate and deep throws can be quite impressive. His deep ball in 2023 was better than 2024.
• Has a true NFL arm. When he rears back, he can put a lot of zip on the ball.
• Has a lot of experience running RPOs at Alabama. Generally makes the right decision in any kind of read.
• High-character guy. One of the more impressive interviews at he NFL Combine. Also known for having a good work ethic, which may raise his floor.
WEAKNESSES
• Ability to deal with pressure has to significantly improve. Far too often, he'll drop his eyes to the pressure once the pocket starts to collapse, making it impossible to find any hot reads or check downs.
• While his pre-snap reads are hit and miss, his post-snap reads really suffer even more greatly. He panics far too often when his first read isn't available.
• Lacks anticipation on far too many throws. That stems from slow processing and not trusting his eyes.
• He can rely on his legs far too often. Too many times of first read not being available, then trying to take off. He needs to learn how to trust his eyes and play within structure before deciding to run.
• When he's not throwing with a ton of velocity, his accuracy tends to suffer.
• Except when rolling to the right, his accuracy is far too inconsistent when throwing off platform or when feeling pressure. Pretty much, if he's not throwing from his strong base, his accuracy diminishes.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
4:50 am - 03.20.2025DowntownScouting report: Jalen Milroe
Welcome to another scouting report to prep you for the 2025 NFL Draft. I suggest saving these links, bookmarking them, etc., throughout this process. I will be updating as many as I can from the time I publish these to the time they take part in the Scouting Combine and pro days.
The Steelers need to address quarterback, one way or another. This isn't the strongest class of quarterbacks, but that doesn't mean the team shouldn't take a chance at some point in the draft. Jalen Milroe is perhaps the most talented quarterback in a shaky class, possessing legitimate dual-threat ability and a strong arm. However, accuracy and processing concerns could make or break his ability to succeed in the NFL.
JALEN MILROE
• Position: Quarterback
• College: Alabama (2021-24)
• Class: Junior (RS)
• Height: 6-2
• Weight: 217
• Hand: 9 3/8"
• 40-yard dash: 4.40 (pro day)
• PFF Big Board: No. 97
• Games watched: vs. Western Kentucky, at Tennessee, at LSU, vs. Auburn
NFL comparison: Lamar Jackson
OVERVIEW
A two-year starter and team captain for the Crimson Tide, Milroe put up promising numbers in 2023, competing 65.8% of his passes for 2,834 yards, 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He also added 531 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. For his performance, his was named a finalist for the Manning Award and finished sixth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Based off what he did in 2023, Milroe's 2024 season was a bit of a let down. While he completed 64.3% of his passes for 2,844 yards -- almost identical to 2023 -- he threw only 16 touchdown passes and his 11 interceptions were nearly double than the previous season. Milroe's running ability wasn't deterred, however, rushing for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns, the latter of which being a school record.
Milroe is an explosive athlete that will wow you with his legs. We're talking special, unique scrambling ability, but he can really kill defenses when he has any space after he decides to tuck the ball and run. Milroe can also execute quarterback-designed runs between the tackles, making him a weapon in the team's rushing attack, not just an improvisor.
In addition to his elite running ability, Milroe has an NFL arm. There's no question about that. However, his accuracy is far too inconsistent, though that can be cleaned up with good coaching. How he processes the game will be the ultimate decider of success at the NFL level. His pre-snap reading needs improvement, but he can especially get mixed up after the ball is snapped. He also doesn't deal with pressure well, and he holds onto the ball for far too long.
I almost didn't want to put the Lamar Jackson comparison because that implies Milroe can become a multiple time MVP winner. While I don't want to put a limit on what he can grow into, Milroe's ceiling isn't quite as high as Jackson's was when he was coming out of Louisville. But, like Jackson was during this process, there are legitimate concerns about how good of a passer he can be, despite having a great arm and possessing a special ability to win with his legs. Those tools are intriguing enough to consider him for a Day 2 pick.
Because Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and Tom Arth all had dinner with Milroe ahead of his pro day, consider him to be on the Steelers' radar should they seriously consider drafting a quarterback.
HIGHLIGHTS
PFF GRADES
• Overall grade: 87.4 (24th of 306 QB)
• Passing grade: 78.3
• Intermediate grade: 90.7
• Deep grade: 93.1
• No pressure grade: 88.7
• Pressure grade: 51.6
STRENGTHS
• His speed and athleticism really jumps off the tape. He's an elite runner that not only can extend plays outside of the pocket, but escape pressure unlike any other quarterback in this class or many other NFL quarterbacks.
• Has exceptional vision to make runs between the tackles. He can use his explosive acceleration to gain chunks of yards if he finds a lane, even in tight spaces. One of the better running quarterbacks to come out of college in a while. He can slaughter defenses with his legs.
• Has a strong base when dropping back and has a clean pocket, making it easier to make accurate throws on platform.
• At times, his touch and accuracy on intermediate and deep throws can be quite impressive. His deep ball in 2023 was better than 2024.
• Has a true NFL arm. When he rears back, he can put a lot of zip on the ball.
• Has a lot of experience running RPOs at Alabama. Generally makes the right decision in any kind of read.
• High-character guy. One of the more impressive interviews at he NFL Combine. Also known for having a good work ethic, which may raise his floor.
WEAKNESSES
• Ability to deal with pressure has to significantly improve. Far too often, he'll drop his eyes to the pressure once the pocket starts to collapse, making it impossible to find any hot reads or check downs.
• While his pre-snap reads are hit and miss, his post-snap reads really suffer even more greatly. He panics far too often when his first read isn't available.
• Lacks anticipation on far too many throws. That stems from slow processing and not trusting his eyes.
• He can rely on his legs far too often. Too many times of first read not being available, then trying to take off. He needs to learn how to trust his eyes and play within structure before deciding to run.
• When he's not throwing with a ton of velocity, his accuracy tends to suffer.
• Except when rolling to the right, his accuracy is far too inconsistent when throwing off platform or when feeling pressure. Pretty much, if he's not throwing from his strong base, his accuracy diminishes.
Other full scouting reports:
• Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
• Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
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