Jalen Milroe is one of the top quarterbacks on the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. After the top picks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, Milroe could be the next quarterback off the board. As a dynamic athlete with a lot of upside, he’s an intriguing prospect for a team needing a quarterback of the future.
Former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky thinks that Milroe has an attractive profile, but if he doesn’t improve one area of his game, he could struggle in the pros.
Dan Orlovsky’s Criticism of Jalen Milroe
Orlovsky was complimentary of Milroe’s physical traits, big arm, and athletic abilities. But he pointed out that Milroe has dealt with struggles in the red zone over his career.
This is a problem because teams need to cash in their drives for touchdowns at a high rate in the red zone, and failing to convert could cost teams games.
“In the red zone, he’s really bad. For a dynamic athlete, that’s weird because it should be easier for you, because you’re always a threat to run. That’s gonna have to improve a lot. You see him, Ross, at times battle the ‘I’m an athlete, go take off and be a runner, nope, I’m developing as a quarterback in the pocket.’ I just think it’s going to take time for him to get there. There’s so much physical talent,” said Orlovsky on the “Ross Tucker Podcast.”
“In the red zone he's REALLY bad…that’s going to have to improve a lot…”@danorlovsky7 on Jalen Milroe: pic.twitter.com/i9hkst0iEZ
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) April 20, 2025
Being a dynamic runner always brings another dimension to an offense. Look no further than Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson.
But for Milroe, it’s tripping him up in the red zone because he can get stuck between two minds, as Orlovsky mentions. Finding ways to eliminate failed drives in the red zone is going to be essential for Milroe to justify his draft position and abilities.
Orlovsky sees the talent in Milroe. He brings a lot to the table and is one of the fastest quarterbacks in the draft with a powerful arm. The physical traits are there, but the maturity and decision-making in the red zone need to improve. One drive could be the difference between a close loss and scratching out a tight victory.
Milroe showed off his dynamic ability at Alabama by throwing for 2,844 yards and only 16 touchdowns, while adding 726 yards on the ground with 20 rushing touchdowns. He poses a threat in both facets of the game and can use his abilities to drive down the field.
In the red zone, when the field gets congested, it can get hard for Milroe to find the right read and inevitably cost his team touchdowns. He is set up for success, though, if he can take Orlovsky’s criticism and hone in on fixing his red-zone struggles.
Milroe has the tools, now it’s time to see if he can put it all together in the NFL.