On Saturday, from the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl press box, there were audible groans as Jalen Milroe’s week finished with a turnover on downs. Down by three and with eight minutes on the clock, Milroe got the opportunity to lead his team down the field one more time. The drive began with a sack, followed by two short passes. Facing fourth down, the Crimson Tide QB snapped the ball and scrambled to the right side of the field but was tackled for no gain. Those of us remaining in the press box looked at one another with a “what else did you expect” expression. Jalen Milroe finished the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl, going 3 for 5 through the air for 21 yards and zero touchdowns while also being sacked three times. As a result of the sacks, Milroe, known for his athleticism, finished with negative rushing yards.
All week long, I had asked NFL Draft analysts and peers at what point, if you’re an NFL franchise, do you feel comfortable selecting a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft? Many answered that they wouldn’t have a problem selecting Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in the seven to ten range, while others thought that trading back offered the best value.
When asked about the potential of drafting Jalen Milroe, the answer was vastly different.
“Hard pass”, one draft analyst told me.
“For a guy that can’t start for two or three years?” said another, “mid-day two”
Let’s break down what the rest of the pre-draft process will look like for Jalen Milroe. With the All-Star Game circuit complete, it’s not just time for the NFL Draft prospects to ramp up but for us to do the same, too.
2025 NFL Scouting Combine
I was sitting in the bleachers on day two of practice, watching Jalen Milroe leading his team down the field in 11-on-11 drills. He threw a pass that ultimately ended up landing about five yards from his intended target. It was at this point, almost instinctively, I leaned over to a peer and asked a question.
“Do you think they’re having a conversation over there,” pointing to the side of the stadium where NFL GMs, coaches, and scouts sit, “about Milroe changing positions?”
“Oh, absolutely they are”
Jalen Milroe entered the week garnering some first round draft buzz. A few people that I spoke to thought that, while he isn’t ready to start in the NFL, that there could be, at the very least, a package or two that could be implemented to get him on the field. However, as the week grew on and Milroe continued to struggle in practice, that sentiment quickly changed.
For the former Alabama quarterback, he’ll now prepare for the 2025 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The event kicks off on Thursday, February 27th, although quarterbacks won’t be on the field until Saturday, March 1st. At the Combine, NFL Draft prospects undergo medical testing, meet with teams and are potentially subjected to some tough questions.
It’s likely that NFL teams will question Jalen Milroe about what went right, as well as what went wrong for him at Alabama. He’ll be asked to draw a play on the whiteboard, erase it, and then fifteen minutes later, recall every single detail of that particular play.
As I mentioned above, it’s also likely that teams will ask Milroe, or his representatives, to workout at another position, such as running back.
It’s unlikely that he would agree to do so. However, if he did, it would give teams an opportunity to see what he can do. If he chooses to participate, Milroe should run a sub-4.4 40 time at the Combine. A time that quick would turn some heads.
Alabama Pro Day
Alabama’s pro day is set for Wednesday, March 26th. As with most quarterbacks at pro days, Milroe will be throwing to his teammates. The routes are scripted and designed to make the quarterback look his best, rather than challenge him. He’s going to throw deep routes along the sidelines or 25 yard out routes just outside of the hashes. He may even run a boot from under center so that he can put a ball in the air for his wide receiver to go get.
But a running back angle route – don’t bet on it. Hitting a receiver on a seven yard crossing route with anticipation – no way.
Jalen Milroe makes the easy throws look incredibly difficult
— Brian Lamb (@brianlamb_ISN) February 1, 2025
Once again, I don’t expect him to take reps at a different position. Jalen Milroe’s pro day will be designed to recover from his performance down the stretch of the 2024 College Football season, not confirm what we already know to be true.
2025 NFL Draft
And then comes the NFL Draft. By this point, Milroe and his team should have a pretty good idea of where he’ll come off the board.
“Team A really likes you in the third round” would be an example.
NFL teams already have everything they need on the player. They’ve spoken to his college coaches, his high school coaches, his mentors. It’s unlikely that they’ll learn new information between now and the 2025 NFL Draft.
For teams in the NFL Draft, it’s all about evaluating risk versus reward. Organizations build their board around this very principle. Perhaps there is an outside linebacker that can rush the passer, but struggles when dropping into zone coverage. General Managers will ask scouts in the war room if that player has the skillset to develop additional traits. At times, it can seem like front offices are in the risk management business, rather than running an NFL franchise.
While the chance isn’t zero, it does seem unlikely that Jalen Milroe will be a first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Prior to the Senior Bowl, I would’ve told you that I thought there was a chance, albeit a slim one that he might hear his name called on night one. However, now I’m not sure if round two is a possibility.
Teams don’t divulge this kind of information, at least not to the media. Insiders like Daniel Jeremiah or Jordan Reid might have some inside information, but that’s unlikely to get out as well. Rather, we’ll have to stay plugged in for little snippets along the ways.
However, one thing still remains clear. The name of the game for Jalen Milroe from this point on, is limiting the exposure. Maybe he’ll choose to run at the NFL Combine, but wait to throw until his pro day. This gives teams the illusion that Milroe is committed to rebuilding his platform and improving his ability to throw the ball.
Either way, it’s going to be a difficult few months for Jalen Milroe. The path to the 2025 NFL Draft won’t be an easy one for him, but I’m sure that he’s also willing to welcome the challenge.
be sure to follow NFL Draft Lounge for continued coverage on Jalen Milroe, as well as the rest of the participants in the 2025 NFL Draft.