As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to evaluate their options in the upcoming NFL Draft, one name that’s been frequently mentioned is Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
While speculation swirls about the possibility of the Steelers selecting Milroe early, it seems unlikely they’ll make a move in the first round.
Pittsburgh’s draft situation is complicated, as they don’t possess a second-round pick. There have been rumors linking Milroe to a first-round selection, but recent projections suggest he could fall to the third round.
ESPN draft analyst Ben Solak offered insights into Milroe’s draft potential, comparing his situation to that of another quarterback prospect from recent years.
“First things first: The NFL invited Milroe to the draft in Green Bay, and he accepted,” Solak wrote. “Typically, that sort of invite goes only to first-round picks. I’m leaving him on Day 2, where I think he makes sense as a developmental prospect with high-tier athletic traits.
“Milroe as a draft attendee reminds me of Malik Willis as a draft attendee. Yes, the traits might be first-round caliber, but the play isn’t there just yet.”
Milroe, who wowed fans and scouts alike at Alabama with his remarkable speed, deep-ball ability, and improvisational playmaking, has immense potential.
While he struggles with his passing accuracy, his ceiling is incredibly high due to his athleticism, which includes a blazing 40-yard dash time and the ability to extend plays outside the pocket.
However, Milroe’s play also has its flaws. One of his most significant areas of concern is his struggles with intermediate passing.
Despite those issues, Milroe’s raw ability makes him an intriguing prospect.
ESPN’s Solak believes the Steelers could benefit from drafting him if they look beyond just Year 1 contributions.
“Milroe is a good enough runner that I could see him being a dangerous starter as early as Year 1, just for how electric he is as a scrambler and short-yardage player,” Solak added.
“But in order to have a rounded profile as a quarterback, he has to operate dramatically faster in the pocket. Thirty-seven percent of Milroe’s pass attempts were out in under 2.5 seconds last season, lowest of the major quarterbacks in this class.
“Milroe struggles to get to full-field reads in the pocket and will invite pressure so that he can break contain and get to an improvisational state, in which he is more comfortable.”
Milroe’s future could be promising, but his developmental path will depend heavily on improving his ability to read defenses and process the game at a faster pace.
If the Steelers aren’t able to select Milroe in the first round, they may find themselves hoping he’s still available when their pick comes around in the third.
Of course, we can’t mention Pittsburgh’s potential quarterback room without mentioning Aaron Rodgers, who the team continues to wait on.
Even if they sign Rodgers like most expect, the Steelers will need a long-term solution at the position … Do you think Milroe could be that guy???
