With Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell already off the board in Round 1, the spotlight now shifts to Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. However, despite being one of the few invited to the NFL Draft green room, Milroe didn’t hear his name Thursday night. But that only builds the buzz. As Day 2 kicks off, Milroe stands out as one of the most intriguing prospects still waiting, right alongside Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Now, the real question: does Milroe go in Round 2… or will the wait stretch into Round 3?

Let’s be real—everyone saw this coming. Jalen Milroe is more of a project than a polished prospect right now. However, the tools? They’re wild. He’s got a cannon for an arm, runs like a gazelle, and carries himself with confidence. But the polish isn’t there yet. He needs to improve his touch, sharpen his accuracy, and grow as a pure passer. Still, the upside is huge. And in a league hungry for dual-threat QBs, Milroe might just be a 2nd-round steal for the right team willing to develop him.

Simply put, Jalen Milroe needs a team that sees the vision. A staff that believes in his upside, not just his highlight reel. Although he’s not ready to be the guy just yet, with time and the right system, he could become a franchise QB. Sure, he can be used in gadget plays as a rookie, but defenses will see the run coming. That’s why growth is key. If he develops, the ceiling is sky-high. But as Day 2 kicks off, Milroe’s still waiting. With Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart already off the board, the Alabama QB now finds himself under the spotlight. But now, one puzzling decision has turned him into a draft day mockery target, and experts are questioning: what was he thinking?

On April 26, Brooks Austin of the SI Network dropped a sharp take, writing, “Don’t let all this Shedeur Sanders stuff distract you from the fact that Jalen Milroe’s agent thought— ‘Sure, let’s go to the draft in Green Bay, you’re for sure going first round'” It’s a bold move, but questionable call.

Let’s be honest—Milroe going round one was always a stretch. In the blowout loss to Oklahoma, he tossed three picks, including a pick-six, and rushed for just seven yards. Then came the ReliaQuest Bowl, where two early fumbles against Michigan sealed Alabama’s fate. So, the talent’s there, but the tape says it loud—Milroe has a long road ahead.

And the jabs kept coming. Analyst Allan Bell threw shade with a sharp quip, writing, “Wait… is Jalen Milroe still in the green room?” A sarcastic gut-punch aimed squarely at Milroe’s camp. The message was clear—his agent bet big on a first-round dream that never had legs. The spotlight was there, the suit was pressed, but the call never came. Honestly, it was a reminder that hype doesn’t always match the board.

However, not everyone’s counting Milroe out. Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News sees a silver lining—and a South Beach landing spot. He projects Milroe to the Dolphins at No. 98 overall in the third round, linking him up with fellow Bama alum Tua Tagovailoa. Iyer put it plainly, stating, “The Dolphins might shock some by taking another Tide QB… but this boosts the backup role and gives them a Jalen Hurts-style insurance policy if Tua’s story mirrors Carson Wentz’s.” It’s a bold fit, but one that just might make waves.

So, late to the call, but Milroe’s four-year grind at Bama packed enough promise to earn his draft shot. Talent takes time—now it’s his turn.

Why should Jalen Milroe be drafted?

Jalen Milroe, one of 15 top prospects in the green room, had to wait longer than expected. While the snub stung, Milroe kept the energy high, cheering on his former Bama teammates as they hit the stage. It’s common for draft hopefuls to disappear after Day 1, but Detroit Lions CB and fellow Crimson Tide alum Terrion Arnold knew Milroe wouldn’t be following that trend. Because he’s got too much potential, and the journey’s just beginning.

“Man, if Jalen got the call next week, he’d still show up,” said Arnold on Good Morning Football before the draft. “That’s the kind of guy he is.” However, he wasn’t just speaking as a former teammate and best friend—he was speaking truth. “We’re real with each other,” he added. Arnold recalled a moment early in his career when Milroe held him accountable, texting him after a few penalties: “Bro, tighten up. This ain’t the Terrion I’m used to seeing.” So, the bond they share goes beyond the field—it’s built on honesty and a shared drive to push each other to be better.

Interestingly, Jalen Milroe and Terrion Arnold are the masterminds behind Alabama’s iconic LANK phrase—”Let All Naysayers Know.” Born in the 2023 season, it became the rallying cry for the Tide as they claimed the SEC Title and made their run to the CFP. However, the phrase didn’t just fade away; it’s become a staple of Bama, and now, it echoes throughout the entire athletics program. It’s a statement of defiance, one that’s still inspiring every Tide athlete today.

However, Alabama’s rise in 2023 not only boosted the team but also skyrocketed Terrion Arnold’s stock for the 2024 NFL Draft. Expected to go midway through the first round, Arnold fell to No. 24 overall. It wasn’t a huge drop, but waiting for hours in that green room was stressful—and Milroe was right there by his side. “When he was here last year, he told me, ‘Bro, whatever team gets you, they’re getting a star.’ Same goes for him,” said Arnold. Adding, “Milroe’s not just a game-changer; he’s a leader, a great person. I saw him get out of a warm car in freezing cold, signing autographs for fans. Not many would do that.”

So, Milroe has the heart, the leadership, and the talent—he deserves his NFL shot.