Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s arrow seemingly keeps pointing up before the start of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24.
On Monday, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported that the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints had “impressive” workouts with Milroe. Schultz added he also met with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers before his pro day on March 19.
Does this report further signal that Milroe (6-foot-2, 217 pounds) could be climbing draft boards?
On Sunday, Milroe accepted his invitation to the draft in Green Bay, via The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. The league is being more selective this year and is expected to invite only eight to 10 players.
On a Monday episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport said the invitation doesn’t guarantee that Milroe will go in the first round, but it could mean “he’s in the conversation.”
The Browns have pick No. 2 in the first round, while the Saints have pick No. 9. Despite the recent buzz, it would be stunning if Milroe landed in the top 10, especially after an erratic season at Alabama.
In 13 games in 2024, the 22-year-old rushed for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, he threw just 16 touchdown passes and tossed 11 interceptions.
The team that drafts Milroe will likely bank on his potential. In January, private QB coach Jordan Palmer compared him to Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP.
“The difference is Jalen’s got 20 pounds on Jackson,” Palmer told Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “This guy’s a little bit faster, a little bit bigger, but they’re comparable at this evaluation stage.”
Cleveland certainly doesn’t want QB Kenny Pickett — who has tossed 15 TD passes and 14 interceptions in three seasons — as its only option. New Orleans, meanwhile, has QB Derek Carr, who went 5-5 in 10 starts in 2024.
Perhaps Cleveland or New Orleans would trade back into the first round to choose Milroe. Both teams seem desperate for another QB.
