The NFL Draft brings out a lot of opinions about players and what positions they should switch to if they want to make it in the NFL, especially with quarterbacks.
One of the most famous examples is Tim Tebow. He was determined to play quarterback at the NFL level instead of moving to tight end as some suggested. He stuck it out as a quarterback but only lasted three years in the league.
Compare that to Taysom Hill, who took the advice to play any position in the NFL. He has one of the more unique NFL careers as a player who will play any position to see the field.
This question is asked annually to quarterbacks who want to make it to the NFL. The latest to be asked about it is Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who is dead set on being a quarterback in the NFL.
Jalen Milroe’s Epic Response to Switching Positions
The Crimson Tide prospect did get asked by NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms if he would ever consider making a position change at the NFL if he was asked.
Milroe’s response was a one-of-a-kind zinger and may have created a new saying.
“You don’t ask a zebra to be a dog.”
Alabama QB Jalen Milroe on if he ever considered switching from QB: “You don’t ask a zebra to be a dog.”
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) February 5, 2025
That is one heck of a response. It shows that Milroe is focused on being the best NFL quarterback he can be once he is on a team.
There’s still plenty of room for Milroe to get better. He needs to refine his mechanics and process as a passer, but he can offset that by being an electric creator and a running threat. He does have the arm strength to drive the ball downfield.
Milroe has all of the requisite talent to be a future NFL starter. He’s a superb athlete and competitor with blistering speed, explosiveness, and agility.
Milroe’s Scouting Report
Strengths
- Hyper-elite explosive presence and creative force, with a strong and compact frame.
- Brings blistering speed and eye-catching one-cut agility in space as a running threat.
- Playmaking IQ shows in his ability to use pump fakes to draw defenders out of lanes.
- Has the elite arm strength to generate and drive ample velocity without full hip rotation.
- Can keep his eyes up in off-script situations and hit scramble drill targets with touch.
- Able to make second-window throws and hit WRs with pace and precision on sit routes.
- Showcases a level of mechanical control with his ability to use touch and shoulder tilt.
- Flashes the ability to displace safeties with his eyes, then capitalize with his arm.
- Able to slide and stack micro-movements to manage pocket spacing and evade the rush.
- Shows glimpses of depth discipline and can climb the pocket to escape edge pressure.
- Has the discretion to peel off of initial reads when safeties recognize route concepts.
Weaknesses
- Composite arm talent, while great, may fall a notch below the elite tier.
- Is still relatively arm-dominant with his mechanics and too often neutralizes his base.
- Hip stiffness and tall, wide mechanics can snag rotational torque and source instability.
- Has room to tighten his upper body mechanics and carriage to maximize rotation.
- Sometimes jerks up on release, negating rotation and causing shoulder misalignment.
- Release mechanics can be abrupt and uncontrolled, necessitating more consistency.
- Sometimes misses open boundary reads, failing to recognize intermediate opportunities.
- Can be goaded into dropping his eyes prematurely when the pocket condenses.
- At times, hesitates on open receivers over the middle of the field, inviting chaotic situations.
- Still has room to be more consistent in anticipating route breaks to stay on time.
- Sometimes attempts to do too much as a creator, risking unnecessary sacks.