Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III is expected to put on a show at this week's Senior Bowl. Arguably the most physically gifted quarterback in attendance, Milton possesses every trait necessary to enjoy a strong week of practice in front of NFL scouts and decision-makers. Elite arm strength will be on display.
Milton enjoyed a career-best season in 2023, throwing for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing a personal-high 64.7% of his passing attempts. Milton added 299 rushing yards and seven additional touchdowns to his offensive totals.
A developmental quarterback, Milton's natural talents will intrigue plenty of teams in the 2024 NFL Draft. With that in mind, we've identified three potential team fits for Milton.
ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons hired a defensive-minded head coach in Raheem Morris. The first addition to Morris' staff was a shrewd one, appointing former Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson as the new offensive coordinator. A former quarterback and draft selection of Bill Belichick, Robinson is an ascending 37-year-old coach who has spent the previous five seasons learning the tricks of the coaching trade from Sean McVay.
Morris and Robinson are searching for answers at quarterback. Desmond Ridder has yet to convince the Falcons faithful that he's a legitimate long-term starting quarterback. Whether the Falcons search for alternative solutions in free agency or the early portion of the draft, they should also add an exciting signal-caller with developmental traits. Robinson would love to get his hands on a piece of moldable clay like Milton.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Ravens have consistently done a terrific job developing quarterbacks behind Lamar Jackson. Both Tyler Huntley and Josh Johnson are currently scheduled to reach unrestricted free agency in March. Huntley could search for an opportunity elsewhere, and there's no guarantee the aging Johnson maintains interest in returning for another season.
Former Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham is also on the roster after the Ravens signed him off the New England Patriots practice squad during the season. John Harbaugh believes in developing high-upside quarterbacks. With offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterbacks coach Tee Martin appearing primed to return in 2024, Harbaugh has the staff necessary in place to roll the dice on a signal caller with Milton's raw abilities.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Many mock drafts have the Rams selecting a quarterback like Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy in the first round, but I don't believe general manager Les Snead will be drafting a quarterback that highly. Matt Stafford possesses several good seasons in front of him, and the Rams could use an instant contributor after qualifying for the postseason in 2022.
But I do believe Snead and McVay should begin developing Stafford's potential successor. With Carson Wentz serving as the backup this past season, the Rams don't have a young quarterback on the roster with an arrow that's trending up. Drafting Milton and letting him learn behind Stafford while receiving coaching points from McVay and his impressive staff of offensive assistants would be worthwhile.
