Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe announced that he was declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft a few days after the Crimson Tide’s loss in the ReliaQuest Bowl to Michigan. The Texas native had his share of ups and downs in an Alabama uniform. Some days were definitely better than others. Many draft experts have Milroe projected as a first-round pick. He will need to have a strong pro day to further solidify his chances of being selected in the first round. If he is able to do so, more teams will take notice and likely put Milroe on their draft board.
Today, Touchdown Alabama lists the best potential fits for Milroe in the NFL and reasoning behind each team that is listed.
1. Cleveland Browns
It is no secret that the Browns are searching for some consistency at the quarterback position. There is no way to truly know if Milroe is the answer. However, he seems like a better option than the other quarterbacks on the Browns roster. Deshaun Watson will be 30 years old by the team the season rolls around. Jameis Winston has shown some promise, but he is set to become a free agent this offseason. The other option is Dorian Thompson-Robinson who has shown minimal potential to be an NFL quarterback.
Therefore, it makes the most sense to draft a quarterback. Fortunately for Milroe, he has a previous relationship with Browns offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees. The two were at Alabama in 2023. Rees is familiar with Milroe’s skillset and understands the significance of building an offense around his strengths. Not to mention, Milroe would have a strong supporting cast of skilled players surrounding him. The group is currently headlined by wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku. The Browns will also work to re-sign superstar running back Nick Chubb. If the stars align for the Browns and Milroe, he will be set up for success in Cleveland.
2. New York Jets
Entering the offseason, there are a lot of question marks surrounding the future of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the organization as a whole. The team failed to meet expectations and had a whirlwind of a season that featured the head coach being fired, a trade for a superstar wide receiver, and a handful of costly injuries. Nevertheless, the Jets are looking for answers and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn will certainly be on the lookout heading into the 2025 season.
With Rodgers having one year remaining on his contract, the Jets will be looking for his successor in the near future. Milroe makes a lot of sense for the Jets. If the Jets select Milroe and decide to bring back Rodgers, it could be beneficial for Milroe’s NFL career. He would have an opportunity to sit behind one of the best quarterbacks of all-time and learn everything there is to know about being an NFL quarterback. If the Jets were to part ways with Rodgers and drafted Milroe, his window to start could come immediately. While that could be less than ideal, he would be surrounded by elite playmakers such as running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Davante Adams, and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Not to mention, he would be in a division that features two struggling franchises — the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints could be a team that is in the market for a new quarterback. With Derek Carr struggling to stay healthy and a wave of inconsistency in performance, the organization could move on from the former first-round pick. That would open up an opportunity for whoever the Saints hire as the next head coach to handpick the team’s next quarterback.
Milroe would be in a favorable division if the Saints were to select him. The other three teams (Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers) in the division have some hovering question marks, much like the Saints. Milroe would have a new play-caller for the fourth time in four years. It is something that he has become accustomed to. Will that affect him as he adjusts to the rigor of playing in the NFL. Potentially, yes. Nevertheless, he would be with a team that would likely give him a shot at becoming the future of the franchise. That could bode well for both parties.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh radio personality Andrew Fillipponi recently revealed that sources expressed to him that the Steelers view Milroe as a first-round pick. That is an interesting assessment considering how Milroe performed during the second half of the season. He struggled to run the ball as effectively and was turnover prone.
The Steelers have a variety of different ways that they could go at the quarterback position. The two quarterbacks that started in 2024 are set to become free agents this offseason. Those two being veteran Russell Wilson and former first-round pick Justin Fields. Both were well perceived by the organization to start the year but were viewed differently by the time the season ended. Their future in Pittsburgh remains unclear at this time. Regardless, Milroe could still be in play for the Steelers. If the Steelers elect to re-sign one of the two quarterbacks, Milroe could serve as a backup or potentially compete for the starting position.
The Steelers have more decisions to make this offseason, but Milroe could be a draft decision that goes a long way for the future of the franchise given his potential.
5. New York Giants
It has been a tumultuous tenure in East Rutherford for former Alabama assistant and Giants head coach Brian Daboll. He has struggled to find ‘his quarterback’. The front office did his no favors by signing former first-round pick Daniel Jones to a lengthy, pricey contract extension. Now, Daboll and the Giants must look elsewhere for their future signal-caller whether it be in free agency or through the draft.
The most logical route for the organization would be to draft a college quarterback that is eager and ready to contribute from Day 1. Milroe might be a work-in-progress, but he has as high of a ceiling as any quarterback in this year’s draft. His ability to run the football could easily separate him from the rest of the pack. He is without a doubt the most mobile quarterback entering the draft. Daboll and the Giants front office could decide to give Milroe a shot and see how things go. It would not hurt with the way that the franchise in headed at this point in time.
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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.
