2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
Jalen Milroe burst onto the scene with a throw on fourth and goal from the 31-yard line with time expiring against Auburn.
Before that, he was an exciting prospect who came to the Crimson Tide in a recruiting coup by Nick Saban, who stole him out from under the nose of the Texas Longhorns. After an up-and-down college career, he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and is an enticing prospect for fantasy fans.
Recruitment
The Crimson Tide landed one of the top QB recruits of the 2021 class in Milroe, in a class that interestingly enough had future Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers committing as an early enrollee to the Ohio State Buckeyes before eventually returning to Texas. Milroe was even recruited by then Bama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian who would subsequently become the Longhorns coach and coach Ewers.
247Sports ranked Milroe as the QB14. Rivals placed him as the third-ranked dual quarterback, with On3 slotting him sixth at the position and ESPN 16th.
Collegiate Career
Milroe sat behind Bryce Young for his first two seasons and in 2023 took over the starting role. He began to put up some intriguing stats throwing to Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond. Milroe was also third on the team with 531 total rushing yards and led with 12 rushing TDs. He finished the season with enough votes to be sixth in the Heisman voting race.
2024 did not go as many expected after Nick Saban retired and former UW head coach Kalen DeBoer took over at Tuscaloosa. With highly regarded freshman speedster Ryan Williams arriving to bolster the offense, the expectations were high. Milroe led the Crimson Tide in rushing and rushing TDs in his final collegiate season. There was a large regression in his passing stats as he had 11 interceptions and only 16 passing touchdowns.
Milroe’s 2024 season was up and down, and it ended with a ReliaQuest Bowl game loss against Michigan, where he turned the ball over three times in a series of four offensive plays.
Athletic Profile
Milroe’s testing at The Opening comes from 2019 when he was 17. Nick Saban reported during the game against Georgia this season that Milroe was the fastest player while he was the coach and that he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. His speed shows on tape as he erases the angles that defenders attempt to take on long runs and has a quick burst that leaves defenses behind him.
Similar to Anthony Richardson, the athletic upside is what many teams are going to be chasing when Milroe steps onto the field during the combine. Coming in as a freshman just over 200 pounds, it was reported that he has bulked up to over 220 pounds. It is impressive to see Milroe as a young freshman hitting a 335-pound clean.
Strengths
- Size. Milroe is currently listed at 6-2 225 pounds on the Bama team site.
- Arm talent, Milroe’s highlight reel is full of some amazing throws with velocity and outside the numbers..
- Dual-threat talent who can beat you with his arm and in the running game when he scrambles.
- Flashes advanced skills where he will manipulate defensive backs with his eyes to open the passing window. Uses his pump fake and scrambling skills to get defenders offline.
- Mental toughness. Recovered from the 2023 benching to finish sixth in Heisman voting.
Weaknesses
- Needs to be better at the NFL level with anticipating his throws. Waits too long in the route before making the throw.
- Consistency. Will at times do well at keeping his eyes downfield and will throw a dart to an open target during a scramble. Then he will drop his eyes too soon on a scramble.
- Needs to clean up his footwork inside the pocket.
- Need to be more consistent with decision-making and accuracy.
Draft Value
Courtesy of NFL Mock Draft Database.
It has been a downward trend for Milroe the past few months and the Bowl Game results will likely push Milroe further down until Scouting Combine time. A benefit to Milroe is the fifth-year option a team can gain if they decide to draft him towards the end of round one as a developmental prospect.
A boost to Milroe’s draft stock is what is perceived as a weaker draft class at the QB position. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the top two options, and with Carson Beck’s injured elbow, he will likely drop out of the first round. Also, be on the lookout for Jaxson Dart to climb as the draft draws near.
Dynasty Outlook
Thomas is currently ranked 21st overall as the third QB, per DLF’s Rookie Rankings (1QB leagues). Even in superflex leagues, I do not see Milroe climbing into the first round of rookie drafts. Maybe, in superflex, he becomes a second-round selection due to the value placed on the position by rookie drafters.
Milroe will benefit from time on the bench and learning the nuances of the position – how to continue to prepare as a pro and work on consistently making the plays he will need to have success instead of simply relying on his physical gifts. If he taps into that potential with his physical ability, he could have a career like former Crimson Tide QB Jalen Hurts.
With his running ability and the potential he has, look for a team to possibly take a chance on Milroe in round one of the NFL Draft. He would do well going in rounds two or three and going to a team with an established veteran where Milroe could be the eventual successor.
Pete is a Western Washington University (Go Vikings! Undefeated at Football since 2009!) History grad with a doctorate in dynasty football, from a certificate he bought online. He prefers stats and analytics but realizes film grinding is an important part of the process. Dabbles in "Mild Takes" and believes in the process.
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Early Look: Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama - January 6, 2025
- 2024 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Isaiah Davis - June 24, 2024
- 2024 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Jase McClellan - June 3, 2024
