NFL insider: Jalen Milroe's 'upside is tremendous,' potential for first-round 'surprise'

Jalen Milroe is one of the more intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft cycle. His dual-threat abilities are well-documented. However, his ability to throw the ball at an elite level in the pros has been questioned throughout the pre-draft process.

According to NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the former Alabama QB1 may need to find himself in the right situation to succeed at the NFL level. Honing in on his throwing capabilities will be paramount to that effort along the way.

“He’s an early day two pick, and there could be maybe a surprise if he slides or jumps into that late first-round area because the upside is tremendous,” Fowler said during SportsCenter on Sunday morning. “I talked to his quarterback coach, Jordan Palmer. He said that he is a high achiever and a high competitor. There’s the two things you want in a quarterback.”

Fowler said that Milroe’s point of emphasis this offseason has been improving his accuracy. During his two seasons as a starter, Milroe averaged a 65% completion rate which is considered standard in today’s NFL. However, wanting to separate himself from the rest of the field, bumping that percentage up certainly won’t hurt his stock. This could also be an attempt to distance himself from the stereotype that he’s just a running quarterback.

To whichever, team lands his services later this week, they’ll be drafting a quarterback that posted his best career numbers this past season. He combined for 3,570 yards of total offense and 36 total touchdowns, including a career-high 20 rushing scores this past season. Milroe also threw for 2,844 yards on 205 of 219 attempts, including 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

“Look, this is a player where if you could stash him for a couple of years in the right situation, he can be great,” Fowler continued. “The Las Vegas Raiders I know are on Milroe’s radar because they have Geno Smith. That would be a team you would love to go slide behind Smith for a couple of years and learn.”

Milroe going to play for Pete Carroll in Las Vegas, and learning under a veteran quarterback in Smith, could be the ideal landing spot for the former Crimson Tide signal-caller. Whether that becomes a reality for him will be answered sometime during the week when the 2025 NFL Draft gets underway from Green Bay, Wisconsin beginning on Thursday, April 24.