The 2025 NFL Draft is less than a week away, and the next generation of NFL stars brings with it a host of questions. It’s impossible to know exactly how well each player will fare in the NFL, with first-round flops and late-round gems a yearly occurrence.
During a recent conference call with members of the media, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah answered a series of questions on the 2025 draft class.
Daniel Jeremiah Identifies ‘Lottery Ticket’ Prospect in 2025 NFL Draft
Jeremiah gave his thoughts on several prospects, as well as the situations of individual teams and their needs in the draft. Among those prospects was Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
Milroe is one of the most intriguing players in the draft, with elite running ability that makes him a home-run weapon, but with work to do as a passer. Jeremiah revealed that NFL teams view Milroe as a “lottery ticket” that will likely go in the second round.
Daniel Jeremiah on Alabama QB Jalen Milroe:
"That's the lottery ticket. … He's got the highest upside of anyone in this draft, including Cam Ward." pic.twitter.com/893J7NWVkf
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL)
“Talking to teams, though, if you were to use the word–the phrase with him that’s used more than any other of all the quarterbacks in this draft, that’s the lottery ticket. If you want to just take a lottery ticket that you could hit huge on if it all works out and all comes together, he’s got the highest upside of anybody in this draft, and that goes all the way up to Cam Ward at No. 1.
“But he is a long way from getting there. So to me it’s a classic second-round pick. You get your first pick in the bag. You feel comfortable about it. It’s a double-off-the-wall. Now you can stop choking up and swing for the fences with Jalen Milroe. That’s how just about everybody universally views him. We’ll see where he ends up going.”
Milroe is a classic example of a player with elite traits who will need to be chiseled into the shape of an NFL-ready player. Much like new Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance, though, Milroe’s athleticism should see him given plenty of chances to get it right.
Latest PFSN Mock Draft Sees Jalen Milroe Drafted in the First Round
Contrary to popular belief, the latest seven-round Mock Draft from PFSN’s Ian Cummings projects Milroe being taken in the first round, overtaking Jaxson Dart. After Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both taken inside the first 10 picks, the Pittsburgh Steelers take a shot on Milroe, with Dart still on the board.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an unideal situation of their own making, but if Pittsburgh is going to reach for a quarterback (again), this is the ideal scenario. Find a trade partner and acquire more capital, and take one of Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart at a more acceptable value point.
“Between Milroe and Dart, Milroe has a higher grade on my board, mainly due to the rare physical talent he possesses. He still needs time to refine his operational framework, but he’s a Justin Fields-level runner with a rocket arm and improving passing mechanics.”
Milroe being taken on Day 1 would turn heads, but it’s not out of the question. Entering the pre-draft process, the 2025 draft class was believed to be short of high-end quarterback talent. As the weeks have gone by, though, both Dart and Milroe have been talked up into the first round by multiple analysts.
Whether he’s drafted in Round 1, or made to wait longer, Milroe’s NFL progression will be an intriguing watch.
