NFL Draft Buzz: Is Jalen Milroe the Next Lamar Jackson? Scouts Say He Might Be Even Better on the Ground

As the countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft continues, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is emerging as one of the most polarizing prospects in the class — and possibly one of the most electrifying runners at his position in recent memory.

According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, Milroe’s athleticism is turning heads across the league. On Good Morning Football Monday, Pelissero shared that multiple NFL coaches and scouts believe Milroe is the greatest running quarterback they’ve ever evaluated — yes, even more dynamic than former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

“Several — not one — several coaches and scouts told me… Jalen Milroe is the greatest runner of the football they’ve ever evaluated at the quarterback position,” Pelissero said. “Not Lamar Jackson — Jalen Milroe is the best runner that they’ve ever seen.”

Milroe backed that praise up with a blazing performance at Alabama’s pro day, clocking an aggregated 40-yard dash time of 4.40 seconds — one of the fastest ever recorded by a quarterback.

In 2024, Milroe led the Crimson Tide in rushing with 726 yards and a school-record 20 rushing touchdowns, finishing second in the FBS in that category. His 6-foot-2, 217-pound frame, combined with elite speed and agility, makes him a nightmare for defenders in space.

But while his athleticism is elite, Milroe’s passing remains under scrutiny. He threw for 2,844 yards with a solid 64.3% completion rate in his junior season, but a 16:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio has raised concerns about decision-making and consistency through the air.

That may be what’s keeping him out of first-round projections, at least for now.

In the latest seven-round mock draft by NFL.com analyst Chad Reuter, Milroe is projected to go 33rd overall — the first pick of the second round — to the Cleveland Browns, a team that could benefit from a dual-threat quarterback to develop behind Deshaun Watson.

Milroe has all the traits to be a potential game-breaker in the NFL. If he can clean up the turnovers and show more growth as a passer, he may not only validate the Lamar Jackson comparisons — he could challenge for a starting job sooner than many expect.

With the draft just days away, one thing’s clear: Jalen Milroe is one of the most fascinating players to watch, and his name could come off the board earlier than projected if a team falls in love with his upside.