Mel Kiper: I Would Bet Alabama's Jalen Milroe Will Be 1st QB Picked in 2025 NFL Draft

Legendary draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. believes Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe could climb to the top of the positional hierarchy once the 2025 NFL draft rolls around.

"He is right now gonna be the QB2 or QB1 for me, I will make that decision later tonight," Kiper said in the newest episode of First Draft. "By late April, I would bet right now, by late April, he will be the first quarterback off the board."

There isn't a clear consensus over the top signal-caller in the 2025 class.

Miami's Cameron Ward is the No. 1 QB and sixth overall on Bleacher Report's first big board of the season with a grade of 8.7, but the competition is hot on his heels. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is 11th (8.6) and Georgia's Carson Beck (8.5) is 13th. Either of the two could overtake Ward, while Milroe is lingering on the periphery as well.

The redshirt junior remains a dynamic runner. He has gone for 273 yards and eight touchdowns on 52 carries through four games. His improvement as a passer is what NFL scouts are probably noticing most, though.

Milroe ranks eighth among FBS quarterbacks in completion percentage (72.9) and third in passer rating (204.7). Not only is he more efficient in the pocket, but he's also averaging a career high with 13.2 adjusted yards per attempt, per Sports Reference.

In Alabama's 41-34 win over Georgia, Milroe finished 27-of-33 for 374 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for 117 yards and two scores. It was the kind of performance that might have implications on the Heisman Trophy race and draft boards.

The Crimson Tide still have big games against No. 4 Tennessee, No. 9 Missouri, No. 13 LSU and No. 19 Oklahoma ahead in addition to potentially the College Football Playoff.

If Milroe can maintain his current production through the rest of their schedule, he'll have a strong case for the title of QB1 next spring.