Quarterback Jalen Milroe was out on the practice field this week, just a week after receiving the call from the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the draft.
The QB prospect already has a plan in place to aid his development, following in Jayden Daniels’ footsteps.
Jalen Milroe Plans To Utilize VR Technology in the NFL
Milroe is the first quarterback the Seahawks have drafted in the first three rounds since Russell Wilson was selected in 2012. Wilson was also a third-round pick, and the only quarterback Seattle drafted between him and Milroe was seventh-rounder Alex McGough in 2018.
Milroe got his first reps in at practice this week, wearing the Seahawks’ retro blue jersey as he threw to his new teammates for the first time. There is no denying his physical qualities, but the Alabama prospect has a lot of work to do to be ready for the pro level.
Questions about his accuracy and consistency throwing the football were raised during the pre-draft process. In Seattle, there’s a plan to help him develop in that area, allowing him to realize his potential as a pro QB.
According to a report from ‘Seattle Sports’, Milroe plans to utilize a VR headset to help him get through his reads and see the field better. This was something Daniels had done in his rookie year, and the Washington Commanders’ quarterbacks offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has described it as a ‘flight simulator for quarterbacks.’
It’s technology that will likely become more common in the NFL. Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has worn a camera on his helmet for a couple of years now, allowing him to work with the coaching staff and Mike McDaniel to ensure they’re on the same page offensively.
Milroe Already Getting To Work, Training With NFL QB Coach
Milroe has also been working with Jordan Palmer on the physical side of his game. Palmer has a reputation as one of the best NFL quarterback coaches in the industry, having worked with some of the best signal-callers in the league. He is the brother of Carson Palmer, who was the number one pick in the 2003 NFL draft.
The Seahawks’ rookie has spoken about his workouts with Palmer, saying:
“The biggest thing is everything works from the ground up at the quarterback position. It’s understanding the lower-half mechanics of how I operate.”
Nobody can deny Milroe’s physical attributes. He’s 6’2″ and almost 220 pounds, running a sub-4.4 40-yard dash. The threat he poses as a running quarterback is off the charts, scoring 32 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons at Alabama.
Where he’s sometimes struggled is finding consistency when contained in the pocket. As a pure passer, he’s had inaccuracy issues and ball security has been a problem at times too.
There’s no denying that he’s a project quarterback, but with Sam Darnold as the starter in Seattle, Milroe is under no pressure to play anytime soon. He can sit, learn, and fine-tune his skill set, and the Seahawks are hoping he can reach his astronomical season if developed correctly.