Jalen Milroe’s final ride with the Crimson Tide felt like a rollercoaster with no seatbelt. One week, he’d torch defenses like a summer wildfire; the next, he’d leave you scratching your head. One thing, though, remained a constant: that cannon of an arm. But, yeah, those interceptions? They stuck out like a neon sign in a dark room. NFL scouts see the raw potential, but the critics? They’re still throwing shade. Now, it’s crunch time: will any team roll the dice on his upside?

Milroe’s standing at a crossroads. Despite just 27 starts at Alabama, he’s dead set on proving he belongs in the NFL’s big leagues. With the Combine looming, the buzz is he could land anywhere between the second and third rounds. And get this: NFL Rookie Watch is betting he’ll “test out of the gym,” channeling his inner Anthony Richardson. Remember Richardson’s jaw-dropping Combine? That shot him to the No. 4 overall pick. Can Milroe pull off the same magic? Hopes are sky-high.

An anonymous NFL scout thinks a standout throwing session could catapult Milroe into late first or early second-round territory. The million-dollar question: can he deliver in those passing drills? Sure, his 2024 Alabama stats—64.3% completion, 2,844 yards, 16 TDs, and 11 INTs—aren’t exactly record-breaking. But his ground game? That was a spectacle: 726 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. While his passing has its moments of “eh,” scouts see a legit dual-threat weapon. Word on the street is Milroe’s been “wowing teams” in interviews, and some scouts are calling him the top dual-threat QB in this class, potentially bumping up his draft stock.

Bleacher Report’s latest big board backs this up, ranking him as the No. 5 quarterback in the 2025 class. And NFL scout Dame Parson? He’s all in, highlighting Jalen Milroe’s “elite speed/athleticism, physically dense build, and a live arm,” saying he “fits the trend of today’s quarterback archetypes.” Parson even pointed to “encouraging flashes of development as a pocket passer.” That game-winning 75-yard bomb to Ryan Williams? Case in point,

Let’s be real, Milroe’s on-field swagger is drawing Lamar Jackson comparisons, and he’s not shying away from them. Kirby Smart even called him a “bigger, more physical version” of the Ravens’ superstar. But let’s peek at the numbers: Milroe’s 1,577 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns are solid, but Jackson’s college stats—4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns—are in another league. Milroe’s got room to grow, but the raw tools are there.

With Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders skipping throwing drills, Milroe’s got a golden ticket to shine. He’ll be battling it out with Jaxson Dart and Quinn Ewers, aiming to prove he’s more than just a one-trick pony. He’s amped up, saying, “It’s a dream come true. I remember watching the Combine, so now having a firsthand experience of what all is involved during the week is definitely a great week for sure.” This is his shot to rewrite the narrative. But will the critics give him a minute to breathe?

Critics aren’t buying the idea of Jalen Milroe’s bright NFL future

Jalen Milroe’s talent is undeniable, yet as his draft stock rises, so does the scrutiny. Despite NFL scouts’ pre-Combine thumbs-up, CFB fans are far from silent. One sarcastic voice chimed in, “I mean, he is known for his athleticism,” attempting to diminish Milroe’s skill set. They seem to overlook his accuracy and overall talent, which undeniably place him among elite players. His 4.64-second 40-yard dash time alone speaks volumes about his speed.

The video NFL Rookie posted, showcasing Milroe’s pass to Ryan Williams, ignited a firestorm. Some fans dismiss it as merely a testament to Williams’ talent, not Milroe’s accuracy. As one IG user bluntly put it, “That was not a good throw, just a better WR 😂.” Milroe’s season was a roller coaster; his performance against Oklahoma, with three interceptions and zero touchdowns, highlighted areas for improvement. But those lows don’t negate his strengths.

Comments like, “Heck, I’m not drafting him with a 4th,” are blatant attempts to diminish his value. Yet, teams like the Detroit Lions have expressed keen interest, even holding a meeting with Milroe, as he revealed during his Friday media session at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Inconsistencies plague many prospects. At the Senior Bowl, Milroe’s performance drew mixed reactions, going 1-of-3 for eight yards and taking multiple sacks. However, scouts lauded his athleticism, calm demeanor, and leadership. Tony Grossi, among others, even called him the “odds-on favorite” for the Cleveland Browns’ 2025 first-round pick. His Senior Bowl showing solidified his status as a top-tier prospect. But not everyone agrees. One IG user scoffed, “Ain’t no way he moves into the first round.”

Another critic echoed this sentiment, stating, “That throw isn’t really a Milroe highlight any normal WR, and that’s a pick.” It’s a common knock on Milroe’s passing game: fans see highlights, critics see a QB relying on his receivers. This mirrors the earlier criticism of his throws to Ryan Williams. Now, with Milroe set to throw at the Combine this weekend in Indianapolis, one thing is clear: his performance will be the definitive factor in shaping his NFL future.