Top NY Jets quarterback target officially declares for 2025 NFL Draft

The NY Jets' quarterback situation is once again a mystery as the team enters a critical 2025 offseason. The future of Aaron Rodgers remains uncertain and the Jets could target his replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, this year’s quarterback class isn’t held in high regard around the league, and the Jets are unlikely to land one of the top two prospects, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward.

But if the Jets are determined to draft a quarterback this year, one player who should be on their radar is Alabama's Jalen Milroe. Milroe officially declared for the NFL Draft on Thursday, and many believe he has a chance to be the third quarterback off the board come April.

The Texas native has seen his stock slide a little in recent weeks, but in a weak quarterback class, Milroe still has an opportunity to be a top-50 pick. The Jets could be the team that ultimately lands him.

Should the NY Jets draft Jalen Milroe?

A former four-star recruit, Milroe redshirted his first year at Alabama and served as Bryce Young's backup his first two collegiate seasons. He took over as the full-time starter in 2023 and established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the country.

Milroe led Alabama to an 11-2 record, helping his team win the SEC Championship after throwing for 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 66 percent of his passes and added another 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

His 2024 season, however, much like Alabama's as a whole, was a bit of a disappointment. Milroe finished with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and while his rushing production skyrocketed (726 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns), concerns popped up about his ability to translate to the NFL level.

Milroe is a classic developmental quarterback prospect. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Milroe is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in this year's class and everything NFL teams look for in a modern dual-threat QB.

He blends dynamic arm talent with fantastic athleticism and above-average size to create an impressive physical foundation. His ability to create explosive plays off-schedule with both his arms and legs will have scouts salivating.

But he's far from a perfect prospect. Milroe is still developing as a true pocket passer. His timing and anticipation are a work in progress and he often relied on his athleticism to bail him out of trouble at Alabama. He needs to improve upon his pocket presence and overall footwork if he's going to reach his potential.

Once seen as a possible top-five pick, it would be a surprise if Milroe heard his name called early on Day 1 at this stage. Most see Milroe as a fringe Round 1 prospect in a weak class at the time of writing in early January.

There's still time for Milroe's draft stock to evolve, but with the Jets likely holding a top-10 pick, he may not be the ideal choice for their future. Unless the incoming regime has a strong conviction about the Alabama quarterback, it's doubtful they’ll choose to commit their long-term hopes to him.

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That said, if Milroe slides to Day 2 and the new Jets regime is high on his developmental upside, it's possible he could be a realistic target. The Jets absolutely could consider drafting a quarterback in April.

Right now, it's too soon to predict the Jets' direction in the draft, especially with uncertainty surrounding their next general manager and head coach. But having more options is always advantageous, and Milroe offers an intriguing prospect as a developmental quarterback.

Whether the new regime views him as worth the investment remains to be seen, but his unique skill set could warrant consideration depending on their long-term vision for the team.

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