Jalen Milroe’s NFL Comparison: A Dual-Threat Dynamo with a Familiar Blueprint

Looking forward to the 2025 NFL draft, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe stands out as one of the most polarizing and intriguing prospects in the class. His rare blend of elite athleticism, explosive running ability, and raw arm talent has drawn comparisons to several NFL quarterbacks, past and present. However, his inconsistencies as a passer and developmental needs make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect. To understand who Milroe compares to in the NFL today, we must dissect his skill set, evaluate his strengths and weaknesses, and align him with players who share similar profiles. Based on recent scouting reports, expert analyses, and performance metrics, the most apt comparisons for Milroe are Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, and, to a lesser extent, Tyrod Taylor, with a nod to Lamar Jackson’s ceiling as an aspirational benchmark.

Jalen Milroe’s Profile: The Raw Talent

Jalen Milroe, a 6’1”, 220-pound redshirt junior from Katy, Texas, has been a dynamic force for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Over his two seasons as a starter (2023–2024), he compiled impressive stats: 5,678 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions with a 65% completion rate, alongside 1,257 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns. His 2024 season under coach Kalen DeBoer showcased his dual-threat prowess, with 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a staggering 726 rushing yards with 20 scores. Milroe’s physical gifts are undeniable: a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, a powerful arm, and a sturdy frame that allows him to absorb contact while running.

However, Milroe’s game is a study in contrasts. His deep-ball accuracy is elite, with a 95.8 PFF passing grade on throws over 40 yards, the best in the 2025 draft class. Yet, his short-to-intermediate passing is inconsistent, with a 30.1% uncatchable pass rate in the 5–20-yard range, among the worst for draft-eligible quarterbacks. His processing, anticipation, and pocket presence need refinement, as he often bails clean pockets or hesitates on routine throws. Additionally, his 8⅞-inch hand size raises concerns about ball security in adverse conditions.

Primary Comparison: Jalen Hurts

The most frequently cited and fitting comparison for Milroe is Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, a fellow Alabama alum. Hurts, drafted in the second round (No. 53 overall) in 2020, shares striking similarities with Milroe in build, playstyle, and developmental arc. Like Milroe, Hurts was a dual-threat quarterback at Alabama, known for his leadership, toughness, and running ability but criticized for inconsistent passing mechanics and processing.

Similarities

• Physical Profile and Athleticism: Hurts, at 6’1” and 222 pounds, mirrors Milroe’s compact, muscular build. Both are exceptional runners, with Hurts posting a 4.59-second 40-yard dash (slower than Milroe’s 4.37) but demonstrating similar power and contact balance. Milroe’s 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024 echo Hurts’ ground dominance at Alabama, where he rushed for 1,913 yards and 23 touchdowns over four seasons.
• Passing Profile: As prospects, both struggled with accuracy on short-to-intermediate throws and anticipation, often relying on their arm strength for deep shots. Hurts’ college completion rate (65.1%) is nearly identical to Milroe’s (65%), and both showed flashes of brilliance but lacked consistency. Hurts’ growth as a passer in the NFL, particularly in 2022 and 2023, offers a roadmap for Milroe’s potential.
• Intangibles: Milroe’s military family background and academic achievements (William V. Campbell Trophy winner) align with Hurts’ reputation for work ethic and leadership. Both faced adversity—Hurts was benched for Tua Tagovailoa in the 2017 National Championship, while Milroe was briefly benched in 2023—yet emerged as team captains.
• NFL Draft Outlook: Hurts was seen as a developmental prospect with a “wide range” of outcomes, much like Milroe, whose draft stock fluctuates between late first and early fourth round. Jim Nagy, Senior Bowl executive, noted that Milroe is “ahead of where Jalen Hurts was” as a prospect, citing Milroe’s superior speed and arm talent.

Differences

• Speed: Milroe’s 4.37 40-yard dash and 22.0 MPH recorded run in 2022 outpace Hurts’ straight-line speed, making Milroe a more explosive open-field threat.
• Passing Development: Hurts benefited from a year at Oklahoma, refining his passing in a spread offense, whereas Milroe’s growth under DeBoer was less pronounced, with a regression in passing efficiency (11 interceptions in 2024 vs. 6 in 2023).
• Landing Spot: Hurts landed in an ideal situation with the Eagles, who built a run-heavy, play-action offense around his strengths. Milroe’s success will hinge on a similar fit, as scouts emphasize the need for a “patient, developmental staff” to maximize his gifts.

Why It Works

The Hurts comparison resonates because it accounts for Milroe’s raw tools, developmental needs, and potential trajectory. Hurts’ transformation into a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback (3,701 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 15 rushing scores in 2022) shows what’s possible if Milroe lands with a creative play-caller who leverages his athleticism early while refining his passing. Milroe’s draft stock, like Hurts’, will depend on teams betting on his upside in a weak quarterback class.

Secondary Comparison: Justin Fields

Another compelling comparison, endorsed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and multiple NFL scouts, is New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields. Selected 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021, Fields shares Milroe’s size, speed, and arm strength but also his struggles with accuracy and decision-making.

Similarities

• Athleticism and Running: Fields, at 6’3” and 228 pounds, ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, close to Milroe’s 4.37. Both are electrifying runners, with Fields amassing 1,143 rushing yards in 2022, reminiscent of Milroe’s 726 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024. Their ability to break tackles and outrun defenders makes them matchup nightmares.
• Arm Talent: Both possess strong arms capable of 50-yard “rainbows” but struggle with touch on shorter throws. Fields’ college tape at Ohio State showed deep-ball prowess but inconsistency in the intermediate range, mirroring Milroe’s “Jekyll and Hyde” accuracy profile.
• Developmental Needs: Fields and Milroe share weaknesses in processing and pocket presence. Milroe’s tendency to bail clean pockets and drop his eyes under pressure echoes Fields’ struggles in Chicago, where he went 10-28 as a starter. Scouts note that Milroe, like Fields, requires a tailored offense and time to develop.

Differences

• College Production: Fields was a more polished passer at Ohio State, with a 68.4% completion rate and 63 touchdowns to 9 interceptions over two seasons, compared to Milroe’s 65% and 39 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Fields’ higher baseline as a passer made him a top-15 pick, while Milroe projects as a Day 2 selection.
• Experience: Fields started 38 games in college, giving him more reps to refine his game, whereas Milroe started 27 games, contributing to his rawness.
• NFL Trajectory: Fields’ struggles in Chicago highlight the risks of Milroe’s profile. Without a supportive system, Fields’ elite traits haven’t translated to consistent success, a cautionary tale for Milroe.

Why It Works

The Fields comparison underscores Milroe’s tantalizing upside and inherent risks. Both are athletic marvels who can stress defenses in unique ways, but their passing inconsistencies require patient coaching. Milroe’s draft stock (No. 77 overall per Bleacher Report) suggests teams see him as a Fields-like gamble: a potential steal if developed correctly, but a bust if rushed into action.

Tertiary Comparison: Tyrod Taylor

CBS Sports draws a comparison to Tyrod Taylor, a veteran quarterback known for his mobility and arm strength but limited by accuracy and processing. Taylor, a sixth-round pick in 2011, offers a lower-ceiling but realistic comp for Milroe.

Similarities

• Athleticism: Taylor, at 6’1” and 217 pounds, was a dual-threat quarterback at Virginia Tech, rushing for 2,196 yards in college. His 4.51-second 40-yard dash, while slower than Milroe’s, enabled effective scrambling, similar to Milroe’s open-field dominance.
• Arm and Release: Both have quick, explosive releases and can generate power on deep throws, though Taylor, like Milroe, struggles with short-pass accuracy. Milroe’s 30.1% uncatchable rate in the intermediate range aligns with Taylor’s career-long limitations.
• Role: Taylor thrived as a bridge starter or high-end backup, leveraging his legs in simplified offenses. Milroe’s rawness suggests he could initially fill a similar role, especially if drafted by a team with an established quarterback.

Differences

• Ceiling: Milroe’s superior speed and physicality give him a higher ceiling than Taylor, who never developed into a franchise quarterback. Milroe’s 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024 dwarf Taylor’s best college rushing season (7 touchdowns).
• Draft Stock: Taylor was a Day 3 pick, while Milroe’s upside makes him a likely Day 2 selection, with some projecting a late first-round leap if a team falls in love with his traits.
• Processing: Taylor’s conservative playstyle contrasts with Milroe’s boom-or-bust tendencies, as Milroe’s 10 interceptions on throws under 15 yards in 2024 highlight riskier decision-making.

Why It Works

The Taylor comparison serves as a floor for Milroe: a mobile quarterback who can contribute with his legs and make occasional big throws but may never become a consistent passer. It’s a reminder that Milroe’s development is critical to avoiding a career as a perennial backup.

Aspirational Comparison: Lamar Jackson

While not a direct comp, Lamar Jackson’s name surfaces frequently due to Milroe’s elite running ability and dual-threat potential. ESPN’s Mel Kiper compared Milroe’s “gliding” running style to Jackson’s, noting their shared ability to evade defenders effortlessly. Milroe himself embraced the comparison, citing his fandom of Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. However, Jackson’s unique elusiveness and proven NFL success set a high bar.

Similarities

• Running Ability: Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP, is the gold standard for dual-threat quarterbacks, with 5,258 rushing yards over seven NFL seasons. Milroe’s 726 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024, coupled with his 4.37 speed, evoke Jackson’s college dominance at Louisville (4,132 rushing yards, 50 touchdowns).
• Arm Strength: Both have strong arms capable of stretching defenses vertically, though Jackson’s college deep-ball accuracy was more consistent than Milroe’s.
• Defensive Stress: Milroe’s ability to “access every blade of grass,” as noted by Bleacher Report, mirrors Jackson’s knack for forcing defenses to account for his legs on every play.

Differences

• Elusiveness: Jackson’s lateral agility and ability to make defenders miss in tight spaces surpass Milroe’s, who relies more on power and straight-line speed. Scouts note Milroe isn’t as elusive as Jackson but may edge him in raw speed.
• Passing Polish: Jackson’s college completion rate (57%) was lower than Milroe’s (65%), but his processing and anticipation were more advanced, enabling a smoother NFL transition. Milroe’s 11 interceptions in 2024 and struggles in the red zone (102.4 passer rating) highlight a larger gap.
• Ceiling: Jackson was the No. 32 overall pick in 2018, but his MVP-level success is an outlier. Milroe’s rawness makes him a longer shot to reach that level, with scouts suggesting a “Lamar Jackson-style rookie package” as a starting point.

Why It Works

The Jackson comparison is aspirational, representing Milroe’s ceiling if he maximizes his physical gifts and refines his passing. It’s less a prediction than a best-case scenario, with Milroe’s development determining whether he approaches Jackson’s trajectory or settles closer to Hurts or Fields.

Other Notable Comparisons

• Anthony Richardson: WalterFootball compares Milroe to Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, citing their shared running prowess and inconsistent passing. Both are physically imposing with elite speed (Richardson ran a 4.43), but Richardson’s top-10 draft status in 2023 reflects a higher baseline as a passer, making this a less precise fit.
• Cam Newton: NFL Mocks likened Milroe to Newton for his powerful running style, but Newton’s No. 1 overall pick status in 2011 and superior college passing efficiency (66.1%, 30 touchdowns) make this a stretch. Milroe’s Day 2 projection aligns more with Hurts or Fields.

Ideal NFL Fit and Outlook

Milroe’s NFL success hinges on landing with a team that can tailor an offense to his strengths—designed runs, play-action, and deep shots—while patiently developing his passing. Potential fits include:

• Pittsburgh Steelers: With playmakers like DK Metcalf and a run-heavy scheme, Pittsburgh could be a soft landing spot, especially if they move on from Russell Wilson.
• Cleveland Browns: Milroe’s playmaking could rejuvenate a struggling offense, replacing Deshaun Watson.
• Las Vegas Raiders: Pairing Milroe with Brock Bowers in an offense that embraces off-script plays could maximize his upside.

Scouts emphasize that Milroe should sit for one to two years, learning behind a veteran while refining his mechanics and processing. His work ethic and intangibles suggest he can close the gap, but his accuracy issues (second-worst Weighted On-Target Percentage in the 2025 class) and hand size concerns pose risks.

Wrap Up

Do I see Milroe as a first round talent? No, I really don’t. As I mentioned, he reminds me a bit of Lamar Jackson – but, much more like Justin Fields. Jalen Milroe’s NFL comparison boils down to a spectrum: Jalen Hurts as the most realistic blueprint, Justin Fields as a cautionary tale of unrealized potential, Tyrod Taylor as a safe floor, and Lamar Jackson as an aspirational ceiling. Hurts stands out as the closest match, given their shared Alabama roots, dual-threat profiles, and developmental needs. Milroe’s elite athleticism and arm talent make him a tantalizing prospect, but his passing inconsistencies demand a patient, creative coaching staff. If he lands in the right system, Milroe could follow Hurts’ path to stardom; if not, he risks becoming a Fields-like enigma. As the 2025 draft nears, Milroe’s fate will depend on which team bets on his boundless potential and commits to unlocking it.