The Next Big Thing: QB Prospect’s Draft Stock Explodes, Leaving Scouts and Coaches Shock
While it was previously thought Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had no shot of being selected before the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, that was before he impressed teams during his March workouts.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller listed Milroe as the player responsible for the pro day performance that “had the biggest impact on a prospect’s stock” this month.
“The Alabama quarterback once again had a hand measurement of 9½ inches — matching his combine measurement but up from 8¾ inches at the Senior Bowl (which fell below the NFL’s 9-inch average for quarterbacks),” Miller shared. “Milroe also wowed with his 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, a time verified by NFL scouts in the building. One scout at the workout told me Milroe looked comfortable and poised while throwing to future first-rounder Ryan Williams, who was amazing as a freshman in 2024. Milroe’s draft range is still pretty wide — I had him going in Round 3 in my latest mock draft — but he made a statement at his pro day.”
Miller may want to take a second look at that mock sooner rather than later. At least one unnamed NFL executive believes that the Pittsburgh Steelers “really like” Milroe, to the point that they’ll take him at No. 21 if he’s still on the board. On Tuesday, Cleveland Browns insider Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland/The Land on Demand predicted that the Browns would try to grab Milroe with the draft’s 33rd selection.
Miami’s Cam Ward, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart are the advertised top quarterbacks of this year’s class. Numerous reports have indicated Ward is on track to be the first pick, but the draft stocks of Sanders and Dart have become moving targets. Some believe both Sanders and Dart could be top-nine selections, while others think they will be on the board when the Steelers are on the clock at No. 21.
Milroe may not possess “first-round talent” compared to the quarterbacks drafted last year, but some clubs may feel he is worth the investment.
