Way-Too-Early 2025 Mock Draft Has Steelers Landing Alabama Star QB Jalen Milroe

Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 NFL Draft QB Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe, Alabama Athletics

It’s late November, but it’s never too early for a mock draft, right? ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller released his way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft on Thursday, and he has an eye-popping pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Miller has the Steelers selecting Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe at 28th overall.

“The Steelers’ future at quarterback is a big question heading into the offseason, as both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are set to be free agents. Either could return, but the Steelers might be searching for more of a long-term option,” Miller wrote. “Milroe has a combination of Wilson’s arm strength and pocket mobility and Fields’ rushing ability. He’s still a bit raw as a prospect, but he has 15 touchdown passes and rushed for 17 more scores this season. Milroe just needs to improve his touch as a passer, but scouts I’ve talked to said he has the most upside of any draft-eligible quarterback in the class. And should the Steelers sign Wilson, Milroe could sit, learn and develop further.”

Steelers’ scouts were at the Alabama-LSU game on Nov. 9. In addition to Milroe, the game also featured top 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Garrett Nussmeier of LSU. The Steelers had previously scouted Alabama against Wisconsin in Week 3. Getting a good look at Nussmeier means the Steelers have now scouted in-person all of the top seven quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class, per the NFL Mock Draft Database big board.

Wilson, who turns 36 on Nov. 29, is 4-0 since entering the starting lineup in Week 7. He has completed 60.3% of his passes for 942 yards with six touchdowns, two interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 94.4. The Steelers have averaged 27.2 points in the four games that Wilson has started.

The 8-2 Steelers are atop the AFC North with a game and a half lead and they are the No. 3 seed in the AFC with control for the No. 1 seed. The Steelers are right in the mix with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the AFC.

“Yeah, I definitely think we have a chance,” Wilson said about the Steelers’ Super Bowl chances. “I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to take each week as the most important week of it all.”

In a recent interview with Hannah Storm of ESPN, Wilson wasn’t shy about wanting to play much longer than a season or two. Wilson is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“I definitely want to play another five to seven more years, you know, I think that’s always been my goal,” Wilson said when asked about his time left now that his children are growing up. “I’ve been very clear about that since the beginning. I think that’s always been my mindset is, you know, the longevity of the game.”

Wilson is off to a good start with the Steelers, but given his age, a contingency plan with Milroe might not be a bad idea. Milroe learning from Wilson for 2-3 years before becoming the starter might be a wise course of action.

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