Football’s collectively on pause right now, taking a much-earned breather. With the Super Bowl and Natty champions crowned and celebrated, the focus has swiftly pivoted towards the NFL Draft. Not trying to flare up the PTSD within the Chiefs faithful, but reminiscing over the Super Bowl actually makes a lot of sense when dissecting Jalen Milroe’s draft stock and potential.
The Eagles’ success is down to the total collective, the sum of their parts. Nick Sirianni and the front office assimilated a stacked roster of Avengers. This team wasn’t overly dependent on one player. That said, the MVP in the championship game still was the quarterback. Reiterating how the position shall always remain quintessential no matter how great the supporting cast is. Jalen Hurts was an athletic, running-friendly, round-two QB deemed replaceable by his alma mater, Alabama. Someone who slid in behind the center with more questions than solutions. All those facets are directly transferable to Jalen Milroe. Without even alluding to the name, there are a bunch of similarities.
Jalen Milroe’s got his fair share of fans, but even the most ardent ones can’t argue against him being an unknown quantity. So unknown that even the size of his hands is a doubt! Down to even the size of his hands! Adding to his mystique and uncertainty is the fact that Milroe started merely 27 games for Bama and only sat atop the depth chart for 2 years. Although a legit dual threat, Milroe’s forte is what he can do with his legs. Micheal Vick, Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, and even Jayden Daniels. Including, of course, the aforementioned Jalen Hurts. This archetype of quarterback has thrived in the modern NFL. That said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. These comparisons to revered icons and unprecedented rookies are deemed way premature.
Todd McShay is a bit of a trailblazer when it comes to draft analysis. His word, albeit not gospel, holds weight. McShay has his ears to what’s being said inside front offices across the league, and his own assessments aren’t far from factual either. Over on his namesake YouTube channel, Todd McShay teased his list of the 100 best prospects in this draft class. Milroe came in at #76. Which equates to a mid-third-rounder. Not an indictment, but not instilling much confidence either. McShay gave an elaborate explanation of what led to this grade. As well as what he sees in Milroe’s game-watching film that works for and against his NFL dream.
“I can’t stand a lot of things I saw on tape last year. I think he’s swimming in it mentally,” discerned McShay. As monstrous and chiseled as he is, Jalen Milroe is still a kid after all. Self-doubt can creep in, especially at a blueblood program like Alabama. McShay proceeded to delve into the nitty-gritty of his game.
“On designed runs, he’s an absolute truck and a burner. But scramble runs, he’s not nearly as effective. It’s the weirdest phenomenon,” he said. Being able to leg it to the line to gain off-script is a skill Milroe needs to develop. “Here’s another really weird phenomenon with him. Most beautiful deep ball of all the quarterbacks in this class. [But] the least accurate within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage in this class. I feel like he really struggles with, like, layered throws over the middle. There’s some concerns, major concerns.” continued McShay. So what’s the conclusion? McShay believes he has it figured out.
“He’s got to get to a place and have some time to develop. Give him two years. Make him understand exactly where he’s going with the ball. What to read, what he’s looking at, and all those sorts of things,” said McShay. Having Jalen Milroe sit as a backup initially is a fair rationale shared by most. The situation someone as raw and malleable as Milroe gets drafted to will decide a ton. The ceiling for his talent is pretty high if he’s afforded patience, good coaching, and an environment conducive to growth. In summation, Todd McShay pointed to one more gripe he had with Milroe. One that he explicitly stated is shared by people in the league.
“Get [Milroe] out of the freaking weight room, please!” he said. “I promise you, this is not me talking. If Jalen happens to be listening or watching, or someone in his camp, this is NFL decision-makers talking. You’ve got to cut out the weights. You’ve got to get [more] flexibility. Got to work to become more accurate as a passer.” If indeed Milroe was listening, he’s got to act quickly. The draft is approaching quicker than he can clock a 40-yard dash. Actually, we don’t even know that yet. Down at the Combine in Indy, Milroe showcased his passing. But his fans weren’t treated to the whole buffet, merely an appetizer. He didn’t run the dash. Something he’s poised to do on his Pro Day. Which another analyst reckons will be a top-5 most important Pro Day this year in terms of players having the most to prove.
Jalen Milroe faced with a sink-or-swim Pro Day
The 40-yard dash, for instance, is a drill you’d expect Jalen Milroe to test off the charts in. But instead of running it at the Combine, he opted to have more time to prepare and run it in familiar surroundings at Alabama’s Pro Day. But suspense is reciprocal to pressure. This decision, among other reasons, has led to Penn State alum Adam Breneman laying an ultimatum on Milroe’s broad but under-duress shoulders. Breneman listed the five prospects for whom their respective Pro Days are most important in the entire draft class over on his IG. Milroe received a placement in this exclusive yet unwelcome club.
“The NFL Combine was the perfect location for a player like Milroe, but he did not run the 40. Milroe needs the Pro Day to sell teams with his athleticism like Anthony Richardson did a couple of years ago,” said Breneman. AR sure had a historic pre-draft process that saw his stock soar so high that the Colts, perhaps mistakenly, took a wild punt on him at #3 overall. Richardson’s collegiate career was a very small sample size. His pro career, by extension, hasn’t transpired all that well, and this Hail Mary-type risk hasn’t worked out.
Jalen Milroe does possess both the tangibles and intangibles to be a future franchise QB in the league. It condenses down to how much and how quickly he can piece the puzzle together. He’s got the tools in his arsenal, but everything needs a little more polish. If he does indeed remain on the draft board around the 76th pick, Milroe presents great value. But he does need a stable franchise that can afford him the requisite help. Instead of one that’s a dumpster fire, hoping for a messiah instantaneously.
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