On Thursday, Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry offered a bold take regarding Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.
“[Milroe has] got rare physical talent,” Berry told the media. “When he gets in the NFL, he may be the only quarterback who’s faster than [Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson]. Don’t tell Lamar I said that, please.”
Milroe’s wheels are one reason he has been compared to two-time MVP Jackson throughout the predraft process. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder ran an unofficial 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day in March.
In four seasons with the Crimson Tide, he rushed for 1,577 yards and 33 touchdowns. However, questions about his ability to develop into a consistent passer remain.
In his final season with the Crimson Tide, he tossed just 16 touchdown passes and a career-high 11 interceptions in 13 games.
“He has an NFL arm, but he might need to fine-tune his footwork to improve his accuracy on all three levels,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report.
Milroe should sit for a year and develop. The Browns may be in a position to do that. Cleveland signed QB Joe Flacco to a one-year deal in free agency and acquired Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles in March. (Starting QB Deshaun Watson is expected to miss most of the season with an Achilles injury.)
“Patrick Mahomes sat his whole first year,” Berry said. “Josh Allen, it really took to year three for him to become Josh Allen. You know, Lamar probably hit the ground running pretty quickly (but) Jalen Hurts, like there were doubts about him until he probably hit year three. So, quarterbacks mature and grow at their own pace and our thought isn’t in terms of immediacy but making the best long-term bet.”
The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24-26 in Green Bay. The Browns probably won’t take Milroe with pick No. 2 but could take him later in the draft, as Berry seems high on the QB.
