The energy in the room was thick. You could feel it through the screen. For months, the draft community couldn’t stop arguing over one guy: Jalen Milroe. Some called him the next Lamar Jackson. Others thought he was a "project" that might never pan out in the league.
But when the dust finally settled in April 2025, we got our answer.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Jalen Milroe with the 92nd overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Honestly, it makes perfect sense when you think about it. The Seahawks have this history of taking swings on mobile, high-upside quarterbacks. Remember a guy named Russell Wilson? He was a third-rounder too. General Manager John Schneider clearly saw that same spark in Milroe, even if the rest of the league was a bit more hesitant.
The Trade That Made It Happen
Life in the NFL is weird. One day you’re the face of a franchise, and the next, you’re the "asset" that helps a team draft your replacement.
Seattle didn’t even have the 92nd pick originally. They got it from the Las Vegas Raiders. How? By trading away Geno Smith. It was a massive move that signaled a total rebuild of the QB room in Seattle. By the time the draft rolled around, the Seahawks had already signed Sam Darnold to a massive three-year deal worth over $100 million.
They weren't looking for a Week 1 starter. They were looking for a future.
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Milroe was the third quarterback Schneider has ever drafted in 16 years. That’s a wild stat. He doesn't just throw picks at the position for fun. When he takes a QB, he usually means it.
Why the Seahawks Bet on Jalen Milroe
If you watched Alabama at all over the last couple of years, you know the deal. Milroe is a human highlight reel. The guy is basically a Will linebacker who runs like a track star.
At his Pro Day, he clocked a 4.40-second 40-yard dash. That is elite speed for a quarterback. It’s not just "fast for a big guy"—it’s fast, period.
But it wasn't just the legs. The Seahawks were obsessed with his deep ball. Back in 2023, Milroe was arguably the best vertical passer in college football. He has a literal cannon for an arm.
- Rushing dominance: He finished his college career with 33 rushing touchdowns, which is a record for Alabama quarterbacks. Yes, he beat Jalen Hurts' record.
- Big play ability: In 2023, he averaged 15.2 yards per completion. That’s insane efficiency.
- The Hardware: He won the William V. Campbell Trophy (the "Academic Heisman") and was a Heisman finalist.
Of course, there were red flags. His 2024 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. His completion percentage stayed decent, but his interceptions climbed to 11. He holds the ball too long. He takes too many sacks. Scouts were worried about his "processing speed" and whether he could survive in a pocket that collapses in 2.5 seconds.
Seattle decided they didn't care. They have Sam Darnold to take the hits for a year or two while Milroe sits in the "incubation chamber."
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What Really Happened with the Hand Size Drama?
You can't talk about what team drafted Jalen Milroe without mentioning the hand size thing. It sounds stupid, right? But the NFL is obsessed with measurements.
Early in the draft process, rumors leaked that Milroe had 8.75-inch hands. For NFL scouts, anything under 9 inches is a "red flag." They worry you can't grip the ball in the rain or that you'll fumble every time you're sacked.
Then, magically, by February 2025, his hands "grew" to 9.375 inches. Did he go through a second puberty? Probably not. He likely just learned how to stretch his fingers better for the scouts.
Either way, it worked. The "small hand" narrative died down just enough for Seattle to feel comfortable pulling the trigger in the third round.
The Fit in Seattle: Why It Actually Works
Seattle's head coach Mike Macdonald came from the Baltimore Ravens. He spent years watching Lamar Jackson make defensive coordinators cry. He knows exactly how much pressure a mobile QB puts on a defense.
Even if Milroe never becomes a 70% completion passer, his legs are a weapon.
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The Seahawks are planning to use him in "packaged plays"—sort of like how the Saints used Taysom Hill, but with more emphasis on Milroe actually being a "quarterback through and through."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following Milroe's career now that he's in the NFL, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- The Depth Chart: Don't expect him to start in 2025. With Sam Darnold under a $100 million contract, Milroe is firmly the "quarterback of the future." If he starts this year, it means something went horribly wrong (or he's playing out of his mind in practice).
- Preseason Performance: This is where you'll see him. Watch his footwork. If he's still hopping around and holding the ball for 4 seconds, he's not ready. If he's getting the ball out quick, the league is in trouble.
- Fantasy Value: In dynasty leagues, he’s a gold mine. His rushing floor is so high that if he ever gets the starting job, he'll be a top-10 fantasy QB instantly.
The Seahawks took a gamble, but it’s a calculated one. They got a guy with First-Round physical tools at a Third-Round price tag. In the NFL, that's how you build a championship roster.
Jalen Milroe might be a "project," but he’s the most exciting project the Pacific Northwest has seen in a long time.
Now that you know which team drafted Jalen Milroe, the next step is tracking his progress through the 2025 preseason. Keep an eye on the Seahawks' training camp reports—specifically how he handles the offensive transition from Kalen DeBoer's system to Mike Macdonald's NFL scheme. If he masters the "quick game" and reduces his sack rate, Seattle's $100 million investment in Sam Darnold might end up being shorter-lived than anyone expected.