In his latest mock draft updated on Tuesday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the New York Giants will take Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with the 34th overall pick.
Later in the day, former NFL signal-caller and current analyst Dan Orlovsky praised the idea of the Giants grabbing Milroe in the draft’s second round assuming the club doesn’t make Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders the third overall selection on April 24.
“If I could hand-pick one team for Jalen Milroe, it would be the New York Giants in the second round,” Orlovsky explained during ESPN’s “NFL Live” program, as shared by Nick Schultz of On3. “This would be the ideal situation. No. 1, (Giants head coach) Brian Daboll’s Alabama ties. I remember hearing (former Alabama coach) Nick Saban talk about Jalen Milroe and said, ‘This guy changes the game.'”
Orlovsky mentioned how Daboll served as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Saban before Daboll helped Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills become an elite QB1. While Milroe is a much bigger project coming out of college than Allen was, Daboll can sit a rookie quarterback behind veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston throughout much or all of the 2025 season.
“This young man,” Orlovsky added about Milroe, “while he’s improving as a passer, is an absolute rocket ship with the ball in his hands. I think he’s got more talent as a thrower than maybe some of the inconsistencies of the season last year showed. He’s got to get much, much better in the red zone. But this would be the perfect place for both the player and the organization.”
Orlovsky may be right, but it’s worth noting that there’s currently no guarantee Milroe will fall to pick No. 34. Some are convinced the Pittsburgh Steelers are seriously contemplating making Milroe the 21st overall selection, while others have linked him with the Cleveland Browns (No. 33). Milroe previously played under Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees at Alabama.
It seems Milroe could be the fourth quarterback drafted this year behind Miami’s Cam Ward (likely pick No. 1), Sanders and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. If Dart goes off the board in the first round, an interested team could trade back up to pick No. 32 (or higher) to grab Milroe even if that organization views him as an investment for the future who shouldn’t play before 2026.
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