Jalen Milroe vs Shedeur Sanders: Which QB is a better No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL draft?
For Jalen Milroe and Shedeur Sanders, the clock is already ticking toward the 2025 NFL draft. While there is a bevy of other outstanding quarterback possibilities – Cam Ward, Carson Beck, Dillon Gabriel etc. – those two passers are ahead of the field. Alabama's Milroe demonstrated impressive competence in Week 5 after besting Georgia for the Bulldogs' first regular season loss since 2020. Meanwhile, Sanders has Colorado at 4-1.
Both QBs have heard some criticism, but each is making a strong case as one of the top NFL Draft prospects in the upcoming 2025 draft class. Which player would be a better top pick in 2025? Here's a closer look at both.
Jalen Milroe vs. Shedeur Sanders: 2025 NFL draft prospect comparison
Jalen Milroe's history
Milroe was a four-star quarterback in high school at Tompkins High in Katy, Texas. 24sports.com placed Milrore No. 14 in the 2021 QB class, behind future stars like Caleb Williams, Quinn Ewers and JJ McCarthy. Of course, Milroe was also behind uys like Kaidon Salter, Ty Thompson and Behren Morton.
Milroe had named Alabama an early leader but then committed to Texas in 2019. In August 2020, he flipped his commitment to Alabama and signed them in late 2020.
Milroe played briefly in 2021, throwing only seven passes and preserving his redshirt season. The following year, he was a true backup, throwing for five touchdowns in 53 pass attempts off the bench.
Milroe became the Crimson Tide's starter in 2023 and led the Tide to the College Football Playoff, completing 65.8% of his throws for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns. A solid runner, he rushed for another 531 yards and 12 scores on the ground.
Jalen Milroe's strengths
First, Milroe has two obvious strengths – he's a winner and he can shine in multiple offensive systems. Recruited to Alabama by Nick Saban and company, he's stuck around through the transition to Kalen DeBoer's West Coast attack. Through those changes, Milroe has always been a leader and a star.
As a junior, Milroe functioned within an essentially pro-style offense, albeit one that ran the quarterback a bit more than most pro teams. The shift to a West Coast attack has not hurt his game – with increases in his completion percentage (from 65.8% to 72.9%) and yards per attempt (from 10.0 to 11.3). He's still running well, with 273 yards and eight scores already on the ground.
Jalen Milroe's weaknesses
There was some concern about consistency in his passing touch, but Milroe is doing a solid job of allaying those issues. The running tendencies are a red flag for some, as a running quarterback is likely to become an injured quarterback in the NFL.
Probably the biggest issue is that Milroe has always been surrounded by top talent at Alabama and had two years to grow into playing. The NFL likely won't afford that timeline or that level of talent – just ask Bryce Young. Can he win with so-so supporting casts?
Sheduer Sanders's history
Sanders was ranked even lower than Milroe in the 2021 class, spotted at 37th in the nation in QBs of that class by 247sports, which gave him a three-star ranking. Of course, Sanders's recruitment was complicated by his father being coach Deion Sanders. All of the powers recruited him, with offers from Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Michigan, LSU and many others.
Sanders committed to Florida Atlantic in 2020 but later chose to follow his father to HBCU Jackson State. In two years at the FCS school, Shedeur passed for 6,963 yards and 70 touchdowns. When "Coach Prime" moved along to Colorado, so did Shedeur.
Colorado was 4-8 in 2023, but Sanders passed for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns against just three interceptions. The Buffs had a bad defense and the country's lowest-ranked running game, but Sanders kept things interesting.
Shedeur Sanders's strengths
Shedeur has a very solid arm and throws one of the nicest deep balls in college football. His ability to make plays without throwing a ton of interceptions is certainly impressive. Sanders has played his entire life under a microscope, so he's certainly no stranger to expectations.
Sanders has now thrown for another 4,860 yards and 41 touchdowns at Colorado. He has the Buffs at 4-1 and nationally relevant for the first time in years. He's a multi-faceted star.
Shedeur Sanders's weakness
Shedeur has played his college career for his father in a world that ceaselessly acknowledges his stardom. His ego is massive and so is his self-promotion. Moves like his father asking the band to not play the school fight song after a touchdown to Shedeur's rap track could be played instead are not a good sign.
Sanders isn't a runner and is a pure pocket passer. He also hasn't won any meaningful games in college and could be a bust at the next level. The ceiling is high for Sanders, but the floor could be low, very low.
Which QB would you choose in the 2025 NFL draft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.