Scouting Report: Jalen Milroe - Quarterback, Alabama
Player Overview:
- Name: Jalen Milroe
- Position: Quarterback
- Height: 6'1"
- Weight: 220 lbs
- College: Alabama
Key Stats:
- Completion Percentage: 63.3% (Adjusted for drops: 72.9%)
- 2834 passing Yds, 16 TDs / 1 INT in 2024
- 879 rushing Yds, 20 TDs / 11 Fumbles in 2024
- Age: 22
Strengths:
1. Arm Strength and Velocity:
- Jalen Milroe boasts a powerful arm that enables him to throw darts with remarkable velocity. His release is quick and impressive, allowing for accurate and powerful passes.
- He is not afraid to take deep shots and can throw with significant power straight ahead.
2. Athleticism and Running Ability:
- Milroe is a powerful and fast runner with excellent burst. He has the potential to be an elite running quarterback, combining power with speed. Has ability to make throws on the run.
- Exhibits good escapability and pocket awareness, with a keen sense for pressure and the ability to make adjustments with his feet.
3. Accuracy and Ball Placement:
- Milroe is accurate on quick strikes, including boundary shots at intermediate range. His ball placement is generally strong, and he can make deft short-area throws with zip.
- His ability to distribute the ball and maintain accuracy under pressure is commendable.
4. Mental Toughness and Clutch Performance:
- Milroe is calm, collected, and prepared to take risks to win. He demonstrates resilience and leadership, having been benched for throwing interceptions only to come back and lead his team to the College Football Playoffs.
- Won the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, showcasing his academic prowess and leadership qualities.
Areas for Improvement:
1. Footwork and Mechanics:
- Needs to work on improving his footwork and dropbacks. Can be scrappy in his footwork, which affects his overall mechanics.
- Sometimes bails out of the pocket too early and needs to refine his pocket presence.
2. Reading Defenses and Processing Speed:
- Milroe needs to speed up his decision-making process and improve his ability to read defenses, especially post-snap adaptations to defensive disguises and blitzes.
- Has trouble with anticipation on crossing routes but can find a window while on the move.
3. Consistency:
- Milroe's performances have been inconsistent, as evidenced by his rough game against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, where wet conditions led to turnovers and hesitation. He needs to develop a more consistent level of play, especially in adverse conditions.
Big Games:
- Georgia Game:
- Milroe's performance in the Georgia game was a significant boost to his draft stock, showcasing his potential as a first-round talent.
- Michigan Game:
- Struggled in wet conditions, leading to multiple turnovers. However, he demonstrated resilience and improvement after a tough start, with support from his coach Kalen Deboer.
Comparisons and Potential:
- Milroe's skill set as a prospect draws comparisons to Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, and Trey Lance coming out. He possesses a balance of passing and running abilities suited for the modern NFL.
- With a year of development focusing on reading defenses and refining mechanics, Milroe has the potential to be a valuable quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Conclusion:
Jalen Milroe's combination of arm strength, athleticism, and mental toughness make him a promising prospect for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite the areas for improvement, his upside as both a passer and runner aligns well with the needs of a modern NFL offense. Drafting Milroe and allowing him to develop under a veteran quarterback could provide the Steelers with a seamless transition plan, especially if Fields is the starter in 25, giving Milroe time to develop into the dynamic playmaker he could become.
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