Could Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe go much higher in the 2025 NFL Draft than many expect?
On Sunday, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler tweeted Milroe accepted his invitation to the draft, scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. It’s worth noting the league is being more selective with prospects who are being invited to the draft this year.
In February, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweeted the league “only plans on inviting eight to 10 players who [it] feels are all top picks.”
Tankathon projects that the New Orleans Saints will take Milroe (6-foot-2, 217 pounds) with pick No. 93 in the third round.
In March, however, FS1’s Colin Cowherd said an NFL executive told him the Pittsburgh Steelers may consider taking Milroe with pick No. 21 in the first round (h/t Steelers Depot’s Joe Clark). On March 18, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero tweeted the Steelers had dinner with the QB before his pro day.
The Steelers are still courting free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to decide whether he’ll sign with them. Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only QBs on Pittsburgh’s active roster. Rudolph and Thompson have a combined 10-10-1 starting record in the regular season.
Still, the Steelers or another team taking Milroe in the first round would be a shock. He didn’t look NFL-ready in his final season at Alabama.
In 13 games, he had 36 touchdowns (16 passing and 20 rushing) but also tossed a career-high 11 interceptions.
Milroe has some upside but may need to sit a season to reach his potential. Typically, NFL teams spend first-round picks on players who can start immediately.
QBs, however, are often drafted too high. In three of the past four drafts, three or more QBs have gone in the first round.
Milroe getting invited to the draft doesn’t mean he’s a guaranteed first-rounder, but where and how high he goes could be one of its more compelling storylines.
