Louis Riddick, an ESPN NFL Draft analyst and former NFL scout, has his eyes firmly set on Jalen Milroe, the Alabama quarterback who is making waves at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. With 13 years of scouting experience under his belt, Riddick knows talent when he sees it, and Milroe is certainly a player to watch.
Milroe’s Journey and Draft Prospects
All eyes at the Senior Bowl this week are on Milroe, who decided to turn pro after the 2024 season instead of returning for another year at Alabama. This bold move comes with its own set of risks, and Riddick is quick to point them out. Currently, he sees Milroe being drafted somewhere between the second and fourth round.
“Look, the draft is an exercise of minimizing risk and reducing risk,” Riddick explained during his conversation with ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. “When he has a season that, to use your word, is characterized as ‘uneven’—and I agree with that—it equates to more risk for teams. Naturally, that means he gets drafted later on, as teams want to minimize their exposure.”
Evaluating Milroe’s Performance
Following the second day of practices at the Senior Bowl, Riddick offered a candid assessment of Milroe’s performance. “I think uneven is a great word because that really does define what his time has been like down in Mobile so far,” he stated on the SEC Network‘s The Paul Finebaum Show. “The good is great. He threw a corner route today at about 35-40 yards that was as pretty as you’ll ever see in one-on-ones with wide receivers and defensive backs. However, when he got into team drills, he struggled with execution and showed moments of uncertainty.”
This evaluation is not the most glowing review for Milroe, who has become a polarizing figure among NFL scouts since declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft in early January. After an inconsistent 2024 season where he amassed over 3,500 total yards and 36 touchdowns, he also faced issues with decision-making, resulting in a career-high 11 interceptions.
Comparisons and Concerns
Milroe has often been compared to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson due to his electrifying running ability and strong arm. However, Riddick believes that the more appropriate comparisons might be to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson, both of whom have faced their own challenges as passers.
“Look, I think with Jalen, the book is not going to be written on him for quite a while. A lot of it will depend on where he lands in the draft—not just in terms of round, but in terms of the team and the structure around him,” Riddick noted. “Most importantly, it will depend on the effort he puts in from now until he steps on the NFL field.”
The Importance of Development
Riddick emphasized that improvement in accuracy and mechanics is possible, citing Allen as a prime example. “It’s been proven that guys can improve on accuracy and repeatable mechanics. Jalen Milroe is basically in the same boat,” he said. “If you’re a team that lacks patience or doesn’t have a solid developmental program, do not draft him. He needs time to refine his skills.”
Milroe is undoubtedly one of the most athletic players in this draft class, but how far that athleticism will take him remains uncertain. “So again, it’s subjective from team to team as to how much risk people associate with drafting Jalen Milroe,” Riddick explained. “A lot will depend on their individual situation and how they assess his willingness to work on his deficiencies.”
Future Opportunities for Milroe
As the draft approaches, Milroe has the chance to sway opinions in his favor. “He’ll be one of the most intriguing players in this year’s draft because of the variance in opinion surrounding him,” Riddick stated. “Can he make up a lot of ground between now and the draft? There’s always time for him to boost his stock based on how he performs in pre-draft workouts, the Combine, and individual interviews.”
In the end, the path for Jalen Milroe is filled with both challenges and opportunities. His performance at the Senior Bowl is just one chapter in his journey, and how he navigates the coming months will determine his NFL future. With Riddick’s insights and the spotlight on him, Milroe’s story is one that college football fans will want to follow closely. Will he rise to the occasion and prove the doubters wrong? Only time will tell.
