Although Jalen Milroe can outrun just about anyone on the field—except, it seems, the concerns about his passing at the next level. After blazing a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at Alabama’s Pro Day, the dual-threat signal-caller did exactly what he was supposed to: put his elite athleticism on full display. But for every scout who was wowed by his speed, there were just as many who turned their heads the other way when the conversation shifted to his passing ability. Some NFL franchises are desperate for a QB talent, but desperation doesn’t always mean recklessness. And right now, the league is wrestling with one simple question—does Milroe have the arm talent and decision-making to justify an early-round selection?

There’s no denying that Jalen Milroe is a tantalizing talent. At 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, he’s built like a power back but carries a rocket launcher for an arm. His ability to extend plays and keep defenses guessing has drawn comparisons to Jalen Hurts, another Alabama product who used his legs as a weapon but proved he could thrive as a passer in the NFL. The problem? Not everyone sees Milroe in that same light. In fact, some analysts are practically begging teams to steer clear.

A Dawg Pound writer in Cleveland pulled no punches, posting a clip of Milroe’s costly interception against Oklahoma Sooners and warning the Cleveland Browns against taking the risk. “#Browns shouldn’t draft Jalen Milroe, he can’t be what CLE needs, a passer,” he posted, before rattling off a damning set of stats: “vs 2024 NCAA QBs w/ 100+ clean pocket DBs – 8 ints (T-6th most), 105.5 pass rating (33rd), 90 1st downs (53rd). IDC about pro-days, what does the tape show you?”

And if that wasn’t blunt enough, Ohio State’s Kevin Noon took the criticism to another level, going full scorched earth. “Anyone who drafts Jalen Milroe as a QB in the 1st round should be showered with hot lava before being shot into outer space.” That’s not exactly the kind of endorsement you want heading into draft season. And yet, for all the knocks on his game, the reality is that NFL front offices aren’t in the business of making Twitter decisions. They’re looking at traits, upside, and developmental potential. But even in that realm, concerns persist.

An NFL insider with the moniker Dynasty Zoltan on X laid out a troubling pattern, listing the only drafted quarterbacks in the last eight years with both a pressure-to-sack rate above 22% and a sack rate above 8%: Sam Howell, Malik Willis, Hendon Hooker, Will Levis, and now, in 2025, Shedeur Sanders and Jalen Milroe. His parting shot? “At least Milroe can run…” Milroe’s issue isn’t his ceiling—it’s his floor. His raw talent isn’t in question, but his ability to handle pressure, read defenses, and consistently deliver accurate throws absolutely is. Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, two of the quarterbacks projected ahead of him, don’t have his athleticism, but they’ve shown more polish in the pocket.

And in today’s NFL, pocket awareness is king. The numbers don’t lie—Milroe took too many sacks, missed too many open throws, and struggled to deliver when his first read wasn’t there. Despite the criticism, there’s still a world in which Milroe finds a landing spot that maximizes his strengths. That’s why draft analyst Ben Rolfe believes the Steelers should make a move for him.

He proposed that Pittsburgh send picks No. 83 and 123, along with a second- and third-round pick in the 2026 draft, to Dallas for the 44th overall selection—just to take Milroe off the board. The question is, does Jalen Milroe land in a system that allows him to develop, or does he become the next freak athlete who never quite puts it together at quarterback?

He’s got the tools, the upside, and the playmaking ability to make a franchise look brilliant for believing in him.

“I do not want Jalen Milroe”

The hate is real. With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Browns are in the market for a quarterback. But not everyone is sold on Bama’s Jalen Milroe as the answer—especially analyst Emmett Golden, who made his stance crystal clear.

“I do not want Jalen Milroe,” Golden stated bluntly. “Listen, if he’s the second quarterback you take, I’m cool with it. If that’s the plan, I’d be disappointed in the moment… I feel like he is a project. If I’m going to draft a project, I want the instructions to be very clear.” Golden’s concern is that Milroe isn’t a plug-and-play prospect—he’s raw, athletic, and still developing as a passer. While his ceiling is high, his learning curve might be steep, making him a risky pick for a Browns team that needs immediate stability at the position.

Despite the skepticism, Milroe’s name has been linked to Cleveland, thanks in part to his former offensive coordinator, Tommy Rees, who is now the Browns’ QB coach. But the question is: could that connection be enough to sway the front office?