This morning I watched a YouTube guy shred Milroe as "undraftable."
He had film and pointed out that Milroe is a single read default runner. Cannot throw with anticipation. Has no pocket presence. Cannot read defenses and is inaccurate.
I don't buy his full argument but I can see that Milroe has much to work on as a passer.
As an athlete and pure runner he stands alone. Again he is a tough guy to evaluate.
Honestly, at times it looks more like he throws with "too much anticipation." He had too much confidence in Ryan Williams' ability to win one on ones. Unfortunately for him, teams started getting more physical with the freshman and he struggled at times. Could have been some uncalled DPIs as well, like the end zone pick against Tennessee potentially. Looked like the DB had an arm around the waist, and slungshot himself into position.
At times, it appears, he liked his presnap read and trusted a guy to be where he was supposed to be. Young receivers can be inconsistent, though. The anticipation with the experienced guy who had been in the system seems more consistent. I believe teams have access to passer rating broken down by target and it would be interesting to see if Bernard's number is a lot higher than the others.
Making the right presnap read and hitting it only requires a "single read," and yes he shows that on tape.
He can go through progressions too if given a relatively clean pocket.
Being a default runner and a decisive runner are two different things. He was their leading rusher and had 20 TDs on the ground. They called run plays for him. It's a weapon in his arsenal.
It can be hard to show pocket presence when there isn't a pocket. Could he hang in more? Sometimes, sure. But taking the 3 yards when he sees a crease in front of him to stay on schedule knowing you can possibly break it for more without risking a holding call or sack setting you back also is kind of in his skillset's wheelhouse.
You also don't have the numbers he did against Georgia if you can't read defenses.
Does he miss some passes? Sure, but he also has some with pinpoint accuracy.
Every QB has a lot to work on. The great ones keep trying to get better. Being in the same offense multiple seasons can help. Milroe didn't have that at Bama. BOB -> Rees -> DeBoer/Sheridan at OC with all new pass catchers this season.
Bond -> Texas, Niblack -> Texas, Burton -> NFL. Bernard was at Washington, Williams was in high school, Dippre was at Maryland (edit: actually the TE's second year at Bama, 11 catches in '23.)
He is a tough eval. He didn't have Jayden Daniels' environment. He wasn't in the same system with Nabers and BTJ. Still, Daniels had his detractors. "He ran too much and took bad hits." (Edit 2: Going to try to watch 2021 Arizona St film and see how they compare.)
I'm not saying he'll be Daniels, but it feels like the people taking the harshest looks at Milroe could have talked themselves out of Jayden, too.
Cam Ward is the Caleb Williams of this draft to me. Could Milroe be the Daniels? I don't know the answer. I'd rather not have someone else find out that he is.
