Jalen Milroe’s final college season with the Crimson Tide was a mixed bag. His biggest issue? Inconsistency. One game, he looked like the best quarterback in college football. The next, he’s a key factor in Alabama’s loss. Despite the highs and lows, NFL scouts see the raw talent. His explosive athleticism and big arm make him a fascinating project. Decision-makers will be eager to mold him into an NFL-ready weapon. But for now, his draft stock is stuck in limbo. Will a team take a chance on his upside, or will his inconsistencies push him further down the board?

Here’s a concise answer. Former Raiders general manager Mike Mayock expressed his thoughts on Jalen Milroe’s NFL future in a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, and he wasn’t holding back. Even though his draft stock is questionable, Mayock believes he is a future star in the making. “Jalen Milroe is the guy that has first-round talent all over him—big, strong, fast, big arm. But he had a bad year this year, leaving too many question marks. I’d love to get him in the second or third round and have no pressure to play him right away,” Mayock remarked. Although it’s a risk, Milroe has the potential to be the top quarterback in this draft class in a few years if given the proper system and time to mature.

And the GM believes the Bama product has a clear route to success. “Put him in a system like Green Bay’s done with their last several quarterbacks. You know, sit a guy for two, three, or even four years; let him absorb it and learn from it, polishes his craft, and come out and start. Three or four years in, he could be a star. That’s the guy I’m intrigued by,” said Mayock. There is no denying the potential. Will an NFL team, however, have the patience to wait for Milroe to develop?

As of now, Milroe is a wildcard—a combination of undeveloped potential and inconsistent play. His draft prospects were all over the map heading into the Senior Bowl. Some mock drafts had him as a top-five pick, while others didn’t even have him sniffing the first round. Mobile was his chance to silence the doubters and prove he belonged in Round 1. But according to scouts, he “struggled” at the Senior Bowl, exhibiting the usual quarterback inconsistencies. Despite the struggles, his “physical tools” still had scouts intrigued. Now, a $5.3 billion NFL team is facing a high-stakes gamble: do they take a chance on a QB who can be hot and cold?

After the Super Bowl, NFL Network’s Chad Reuter released a three-round mock draft, and he has Milroe landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a $5.3 billion franchise, at pick No. 52. So, instead of a first-round splash, Milroe might have to wait a bit longer to hear his name called.

Remarkably, in recent mocks, Milroe-to-Pittsburgh has been a common coupling. The Steelers must make choices because two of their 2024 starters, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, are scheduled to become free agents. They can now bring back both or resign one. Or will they search elsewhere for the missing piece? There’s no denying that Milroe’s name is mentioned.

While the Steelers are in the mix, the Jets seem like the loudest voice in the Milroe sweepstakes.

Potential landing spot(s) for Jalen Milroe

Jalen Milroe’s 2024 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. His stat line—64.3% completions, 2,844 yards, and 16 touchdowns—tells part of the story. But comparing it to his 2023 numbers (2,834 yards, 23 TDs, 65.8% completion rate) reveals a dip that has scouts taking a closer look. Despite the inconsistencies, the raw talent is undeniable. With just two years as a starter and 27 total college starts under his belt, Milroe is a prospect being weighed with extra scrutiny. He’s got the tools, the potential to be a top NFL quarterback, but it’s going to take the right coaching and scheme to unlock it.

Some analysts, like those at Athlon Sports, see a potential landing spot with the New York Jets at pick No. 92, late in the third round. This would put him in a position to potentially succeed Aaron Rodgers, who is rumored to be moving on this winter. But Milroe’s journey is far from over. He’s got work to do to solidify his NFL future. Consistency is key, technique needs polishing, and decision-making has to sharpen. As they say, it’s about putting all the pieces together, and the raw material is certainly there.

Beyond the Jets, there’s a buzz about other teams, notably the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, who might pass on a QB with the second overall pick, have reportedly shown interest in Milroe. Interestingly, Milroe’s former OC at Alabama, Tommy Rees, is now the Browns’ OC. Coincidence? Maybe. But Rees was at Tuscaloosa during Milroe’s most productive season. When asked about the potential advantage of that connection, Milroe said, “I have so much respect for Coach Rees….We both worked together well and achieved a lot…I would look forward for us to work together again.” While the interest may or may not be mutual, Milroe is clearly open to the possibility.

So will Milroe be a first-rounder or a late-round pick? While Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are getting all the QB buzz, Milroe’s draft position is still a mystery. Steelers, Jets, Browns—who’ll take him?