NFL draft: QB Jalen Milroe could find success with the Browns

Draft rumors have Jalen Milroe fighting with Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough for the third QB drafted, Browns fit

As the NFL Draft rolls around next month, no one knows what the Cleveland Browns are going to do in terms of their draft plans. However, if you follow the team closely or just read the tea leaves it is pretty clear where the team is trending.

The quarterback position has to be addressed, seemingly with Kirk Cousins as a part of it. It’s a need, but in a weak NFL draft QB class, Cleveland doesn’t have to force the need. Let’s just say the Browns pass on a quarterback with the second overall pick (something that I have advocated for some time) and they draft a quarterback in the second round. Could it be Alabama QB Jalen Milroe? Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart? Lousiville QB Tyler Shough?

Let’s say the team chooses to pick Milroe, there’s a good chance that Milroe can find success in Cleveland for many reasons.

Familiarity with a coach

During Milroe’s tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide, current Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees was on the staff. Rees was the quarterback coach/offensive coordinator during his lone season at Alabama. Milroe has glowing reviews of Rees and has credited Rees for the knowledge he learned while he was with the Crimson Tide. Likewise for Rees.

If Cleveland were to draft Milroe later in the draft, it would be a reunion and familiarity due to both working with each other in the past. Considering how Rees is now the offensive coordinator, Rees can figure out how to utilize Milroe and what works for him/what doesn’t and maximize his skillset.

Cleveland would be a good spot for his growth and maturation as a quarterback

Milroe is a project. You can’t deny it. The physical tools are there, but in terms of his passing, it needs some refinement. During the combine, Milroe impressed during the passing portion:

Rewatching the tape and watching the film breakdowns of Milroe, it’s clear the talent is there and he has the ability to be really good with the right ecosystem around him. It’s also clear that Milroe has received extra work in order to improve his mechanics by working out with former quarterback and current QB coach Jordan Palmer and it appears the work is paying off:

Milroe being drafted by the Browns would be a good spot for him for many reasons. Sitting behind a veteran quarterback (assuming Cousins arrives) will be beneficial for his growth, learning an offense that could utilize his skill set and maximize it with the right coaching could pay dividends for him later down the road. He has the work ethic, it’s clear in how his Alabama teammates talk about him and how his former college coach Kalen DeBoer raves about him.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski could potentially mold him into something special.

Could Cleveland pull the trigger and take a chance on a project quarterback in Milroe? Potentially, and if they do, he has the chance to be really good in Cleveland.