The NFL Draft season has officially arrived, with the Combine set to take over Indianapolis from Thursday to Sunday. And while the Draft is still two months away, this is where the real evaluation begins. You know, teams are searching for their next franchise cornerstone, and every drill matters. As of now, who’s that one player looking to turn heads? It’s Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. At 6’2” and 225 pounds, he’s a formidable athlete with a cannon for an arm and explosive speed. On top of that, he can torch defenses with his legs and launch deep balls with ease. But questions remain, as his footwork, rhythm, and accuracy have raised concerns.

As of now, Milroe is the ultimate wildcard. Although his talent is undeniable, his inconsistency keeps scouts guessing. Before the Senior Bowl, his draft stock was all over the map. Some mock drafts had him in the top five, while others didn’t even list him in the first round. You know, Mobile, Alabama, was his chance to silence the doubters and prove he belonged in Round 1. But according to scouts, he “struggled,” showing the same inconsistencies that have raised concerns. Yet, despite the ups and downs, his ‘physical tools’ still turned heads. And now, a CBS insider has confirmed a harsh stance on Milroe, adding even more intrigue to his Draft journey.

On a recent episode of NFL on CBS, Ryan Wilson, Emory Hunt, and Josh Edwards broke down the race for the third quarterback off the board. And when the debate heated up, one name stood out — Jalen Milroe. However, Ryan kicked things off, asking, “I’m talking about Jalen Milroe, but you’re still high on him as a possible QB3 candidate?” Hunt replied: “Right. Because we’re talking in the scope of the Combine — who’s going to go out there and test athletically really well.”

Without hesitation, Emory Hunt doubled down on Milroe’s athleticism. “It’s Jalen Milroe, because he has to. He has to remind people: I can run, I’m explosive, I can jump high — all of those athletic traits that we’ve seen quarterbacks in the league use to become a plus-one in the run game and enhance their offense,” said the CBS insider. As of now, with the Combine on the horizon, Milroe has a golden opportunity to put his elite physical tools on display and prove why he belongs in the QB3 conversation.

But here’s the biggest concern. And when Ryan Wilson asked, “What are your concerns with the tape and even the measurable when it comes to the Alabama quarterback?” Josh Edwards didn’t hold back.

“I think it’s just consistency and accuracy. I didn’t think we saw that enough throughout, not only this final season at Alabama but really the last couple of years. You know, obviously coming in with a new head coach, he had an opportunity to fight for that position, and he obviously earned it. But we just didn’t see the level of consistency that we needed to as a passer,” said Edwards.

And he didn’t stop there. Moreover, Edwards stated, “He’s obviously dynamic as a runner, uh, and that’s probably what those guys were speaking towards in terms of the ability to corral him and contain him in the pocket.” But the national league is a different ballgame. Excelling in college doesn’t always guarantee an impressive scorecard ahead without well-polished skills.

“In the NFL, you’re going to have to be able to drop back and pass first and foremost. All that running is the secondary stuff that — it’s fantastic if you can do — but you’re not going to be able to be successful if you can’t throw the ball consistently to all levels of the field. And that’s kind of the concerns that I had, not only from the season but also the Senior Bowl, uh, what he did there as well.” Edwards added. To be honest, while Milroe’s athleticism is elite, will his passing game catch up? That’s the question NFL teams will have to answer.

However, back in 2022, we questioned if Jalen Milroe would even finish the season as Alabama’s QB. But fast forward to 2023, and he proved the doubters wrong. And he outplayed Carson Beck in the SEC title game. On top of that, he made jaw-dropping plays, like that unforgettable fourth-down throw against Auburn. So, he kept improving. But the road wasn’t smooth.

Remember, he got benched early in the season. Then something clicked. And Alabama realized — he’s the guy. Then, he came back stronger. Still, this last season had its ups and downs. With a new offensive coordinator and a new head coach, the turnovers became a challenge. But through it all, Milroe kept fighting. And now, with the draft approaching and his stock falling, he’s looking to prove once again that he belongs. However, it looks like the Alabama QB is being forced to do damage control at the NFL Combine.

Why Jalen Milroe chose to attend the NFL Combine

Milroe showed flashes of becoming an NFL dual-threat nightmare during his time in Tuscaloosa. In 2024, the Alabama signal-caller threw for over 2,800 yards while completing nearly 65% of his passes. You know, his electrifying speed and playmaking ability have drawn comparisons to Lamar Jackson — the former Heisman winner and two-time NFL MVP. That’s high praise. But it’s his legs that have people talking. And his accuracy remains a major concern. And now, can he refine his mechanics and prove he’s more than just a runner? That’s the million-dollar question.

Safe to say: NFL scouts expect Milroe to take the field and put his arm talent on full display, proving he has what it takes at the next level. Not only this, he’ll join fellow QBs like Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, all looking to boost their draft stock with standout performances at the Combine.

Simply, the moment is here. And now, the pressure is on for Milroe – who has a chance to change the narrative and climb up draft boards. Will he prove himself capable of handling this? This weekend holds the answer. Right now, let’s wait and see.