Jalen Milroe is already under a microscope… as one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, of course! But things just got a little more heated. The Alabama quarterback is attracting attention for his impressive athleticism. Milroe is a potential Browns pick in the heat of NFL Draft chatter. But he dropped a confession… And his comparison to the Ravens star Lamar Jackson may stir up more than just admiration. Why?

“Secretly, I’m actually a Ravens fan,” said Jalen Milroe at the Senior Bowl. And that’s where the storm began. His admission felt like a spark to the powder keg for a team (Cleveland) already navigating quarterback uncertainties. But there’s more to this story than fandom drama. The Alabama star is compared frequently to Lamar Jackson. And he doubled down on his admiration for the Ravens QB.

“For someone that aspires to go to the NFL…” Milroe shared. “Just seeing as he [Lamar] takes his game to the next level each and every year, him being at the top of the league and him definitely being a top-five quarterback in the NFL, that’s inspiring for sure.” Milroe’s words carried genuine admiration but also ignited questions. Can Cleveland trust a quarterback with a Ravens affinity? Or does this reveal a broader confidence about playing at Jackson’s level?

Milroe’s athleticism has always drawn Jackson comparisons. Georgia’s Kirby Smart once called him “a bigger, more physical version” of the Ravens star. Milroe ran for 1,577 yards and scored 33 rushing touchdowns in college—impressive. But far from Jackson’s jaw-dropping 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns at Louisville. Still, the narrative gained traction as Milroe prepared for the draft. But this was just one part of the unfolding debate.

Concerns over his readiness persist. Milroe’s best shot may involve sitting behind a veteran QB. While refining his game over time. NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler apparently suggested that “he [Milroe] could be an NFL running back if he just became a running back” [per ESPN Cleveland radio host Tony Grossi]. A strategy mirroring Patrick Mahomes’s early-career learning curve could work in Milroe’s favor.

Yet Milroe’s camp remains optimistic. Jordan Palmer is his private QB coach. And he highlighted his “incredibly high ceiling.” Cleveland could use that potential. Since Deshaun Watson’s struggles left the Browns desperate for a long-term solution. But the road from potential to production is steep. Especially with a Ravens-loving prospect and an eye-opening Senior Bowl revelation.

The Senior Bowl’s eye-opening critique of Milroe

Jalen Milroe’s flaws became impossible to ignore at the Senior Bowl. His passing game remains raw. And questions around the ball security loom large. Meanwhile, the 6’1” and 220-pound QB recorded a hand size of 8 ¾ inches. Yep, and that’s well below the NFL’s unofficial standard of 9 inches for quarterbacks. Critics were quick to pounce.

They quickly pointed to his six fumbles in 13 games as proof of potential turnover issues. Comparisons to Kenny Pickett resurfaced as Pickett’s small hands drew skepticism in the 2022 draft. Milroe’s Senior Bowl performance wasn’t all bad. His athleticism, poise, and leadership still drew attention from scouts. Tony Grossi labeled Milroe the “odds-on favorite” for the Browns’ 2025 first-round pick.

“He’s been compared to Jalen Hurts. That’s the organization that Andrew adores. Anything they do, he thinks is the right thing. So there’s Jalen Hurts, but he’s bigger,” Grossi noted, adding that Browns GM Andrew Berry admires Hurts’ style. Milroe’s history with Browns’ offensive coordinator Tommy Rees only strengthens this possibility. Milroe remains the most polarizing figure in the draft conversation for now. Scouts weigh his potential to transform Cleveland’s future while fans debate his Ravens allegiance.

Milroe faces immense pressure to deliver if selected. His Lamar Jackson comparisons may inspire or haunt him in Cleveland. Either way, the 2025 NFL Draft could define his legacy. The Browns must decide if Milroe is worth the gamble or just another unfulfilled promise.

Cleveland fans prepare for fireworks in April. Milroe may be the future—or just another name on the draft’s long list of what-ifs.