Remember Jalen Milroe’s touchdown throw to Ryan Williams in the final minutes to fight off a Georgia comeback? The Alabama Crimson Tide QB completed 27-of-33 passes, for 374 yards and two touchdowns. With this, Milroe passed the first big test in Kalen DeBoer’s era to start SEC play against the Georgia Bulldogs. 

So, it was obvious that the Crimson Tide QB would be sailing through the 2025 NFL Draft quite smoothly, right? Turns out that the waves have already started to get rough. Yes, he did see the finishing point with the New York Giants update. However, it all vanished away with the new update. 

Analyst’s Big Board snub for Jalen Milroe

2025 is the make-or-break season for Milroe. After all, the Alabama quarterback has decided that rather than return for his redshirt senior campaign with the Crimson Tide, he will be flying off to the pro league. The QB walked with confidence, committing himself to the NFL and having the most tantalizing natural gifts. Impeccable arm talent and pure athleticism to move up the board. Selected as one of the permanent team captains for a second consecutive year, averaged 199.8 yards per game in his career to rank third in UA records. Recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s top academic award, Milroe racked up 7,593 total career yards to rank fifth in program history. So, no force could stop Milroe from getting a spot in the top five picks. Alas, the reality is slightly different.

On March 17, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper released the 2025 NFL draft Big Board rankings and the top prospects. Not a mock draft, but rather his personal rankings. He ranked in the top 25 prospects in the class. The first position went to Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter, followed by Penn State Nittany Lions EDGE Abdul Carter. In No.3, according to Kiper is Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham. Sadly, Milroe was nowhere to be found in the lucky 25 list who made the cut. Not just this.

The analyst had a special ranking at every position option as well. In that list, the first three rankings went to Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders, Miami’s Cam Ward, and Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart. Milroe fell a bit too low to No.7. There are six QBs ahead of him and four behind him. Now this must have been a wakeup call for the Alabama QB who has been living inside his sweet bubble.    

Reasons behind holding Jalen Milroe back after a vote of confidence

Just a few days ago, on March 12, the suitors were all head-over-heels for the top dual-threat QB. In the NFL mock draft at Athlon, analyst Luke Easterling had some good news for Milroe. He pegged the Alabama QB as the choice of the New York Giants in Round 2. Already there has been enough panic in the Giants squad. The veteran Russell Wilson is scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Browns. Whereas former New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers is likely to sign up with Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now if they are left with only Milroe, will that be a good decision? That’s when Josh Benzo came up with the validation they must have been looking for. “QB-needy teams taking the bridge QB route should strongly consider Milroe as early as Round 2. He can sit and develop as a quarterback while immediately contributing as a dynamic weapon in the game plan.” Then what makes the suitors now have second thoughts about DeBoer’s QB?

From the huddle to throw ⎯the UMPH ⎯the sense of urgency isn’t there. No doubt, Jalen Milroe did work on his time to throw from 2023 (3.45 seconds) to 2024 (2.87 seconds). However, as per Pro Football Focus, “his process is just too damn methodical.” This ‘relaxed’ presence is not going to help when he is headed into a faster league. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski added, “Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is who he is: a tremendous athlete with immense upside who needs significant development with his footwork and accuracy.”

So, now the question is: Will Milroe’s lack of additional college experience come back to haunt him in the pros?