Jalen Milroe not Viewed as a First-Round Lock Despite Draft Invite

If you ask NFL circles, the feedback on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe varies widely. Some teams have him graded as a first-round prospect, while others view him as a late day two pick. Milroe's athleticism and arm talent are second to none, but the struggles on the field last season have made people hesitant to call him a first-round lock.

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NFL grades give Milroe a chance to become a starting quarterback in the NFL, with several mock drafts having Milroe selected within the first two rounds of this weekend's NFL draft.

Despite the uncertainty around where Milroe will be selected, he received and accepted an invitation to the NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Thursday. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter doesn't think this means Milroe is guaranteed to hear his name on Thursday.

"Just because Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was invited to attend the draft in Green Bay doesn't mean the league expects him to be picked on Thursday night," Schefter wrote on ESPN.

Other prospects invited are in a similar boat to Milroe as fringe first-round prospects, including Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston.

"The league invites players it believes have a chance to be picked high, and even some that could still be on the board on Day 2. A team of league officials reaches out to top prospects, but that should not be confused for a projection nor with the idea that the league has any inside info," Schefter continued.

Based on Schefter's intel, he would grade Milroe as "a potential second-round pick to a team willing to bet on his upside."

The Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams are all in the market for a quarterback in this year's draft. The Titans are likely selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick, leaving Milroe's options as the other five teams.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.