USA TODAY Sports labels this Alabama player as biggest boom-or-bust NFL draft prospect

[ASFN Admin]

As we quickly approach the 2025 NFL draft later this month, there continues to be no player on the board garnering more mixed reactions than Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe.

A name seemingly on the rise once again nearly two weeks out, Milroe is one of the most athletic prospects in this draft, regardless of position, backing that thought up with an impressive showing recently at Alabama's Pro Day.

However, the on-field performance of Milroe during the 2024 season in which he completed 64.3% of his passes with a 16:11 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 726 yards and 20 touchdowns, likely dropped his draft stock, leaving question marks as to when the Alabama quarterback will come off the board.

According to USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz as well, there could certainly be some risk, but also reward, for the team that eventually drafts Milroe, saying of the Alabama quarterback:

"He might be the NFL draft's most compelling conundrum. At 6-2 and 217 pounds with breakaway speed as a runner and superlative arm strength, he can devastate defenses when everything is clicking. And with nearly 500 total yards and four total touchdowns in a thrilling September win over Georgia, Milroe has shown he can stand tall against even the stoutest competition."

"But the expected leap in his second season as a starter never fully materialized, and instead erratic play – including a late-season unraveling against unranked Oklahoma that dashed the Crimson Tide's College Football Playoff hopes – became the hallmark of his 2024 campaign. Shaky mechanics are to blame for much of the problem, as Milroe can be wildly off the mark at all three levels when he's rushing things. And when he's not going to his first read, there's a level of discomfort to his play that's reflected by a lack of touch on his throws and an eagerness to bail on clean pockets. There's no questioning his distinct value in this class as a developmental passer, but there's substantial work to be done before he can be fully trusted to handle NFL defenses."

At the moment, Milroe's draft projections likely have the Alabama signal caller as either a late first or early second round pick, but as mentioned above, there is certainly some boom-or-bust potential surrounding which team may pick him.

Could a team take a chance on Milroe in the first round, or will the Alabama quarterback fall into the second. We will find out when the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama's Jalen Milroe is a boom-or-bust 2025 NFL draft prospect

Continue reading...