Though he wouldn’t be the answer to the Pittsburgh Steelers immediate questions at quarterback, New England Patriots QB Joe Milton could be on the team’s radar. After signing Josh Dobbs to a backup-level deal, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports the Patriots are shopping Milton and willing to trade him to the “right situation.”
“Sources: The #Patriots have had discussions on trading QB Joe Milton III and would like to trade him to the right situation to continue his development in the NFL — should a deal get done,” Schultz tweeted Monday night.
“New England loves Milton, but Drake Maye is their franchise and they just signed Josh Dobbs to a 2-year, $8M contract to be the backup.”
Despite being a sixth round pick just a season ago, Milton could draw interest in a quarterback-starved market. He threw just 29 passes as a rookie but impressed in his lone start, getting the nod in the Patriots’ regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown in a 23-16 win over the Bills’ backups. Milton also rushed for a score.
He flashed the big-time arm talent that impressed scouts throughout the pre-draft process, rocketing a cross-body throw for a 48-yard touchdown.
But with Drake Maye the future of the franchise, Dobbs his new backup, and a new coaching staff, the Patriots could be looking to part ways with Milton. Projecting his value is uncertain but a late Day Three pick makes sense as a developmental project still on his rookie contract.
While Milton has flashed, there are reasons why he fell to the end of last year’s draft. He started just one year in college and lacked consistency, winning with his arm talent at the college level. Our scouting report noted a lack of anticipatory throwing and benefit of playing in a fast-paced, simple Tennessee offense, struggling at the Senior Bowl. On Milton, we concluded:
“Joe Milton III is still a developmental quarterback even though he is already 24. Without much starting experience he still needs to learn to read defenses consistently. Coming from a quick, one-read offense, I see Milton struggle to make multiple reads and still remain calm in the pocket. Yet he is way more than just a camp arm given his physical traits.
After a poor Senior Bowl performance with two interceptions, Milton’s stock is pretty much down. I still think he is going to shine at the NFL Scouting Combine when showing off his great arm talent. It is almost certain that there is going to be some buzz surrounding his name after that. He will be drafted, but definitely has to work on his decision-making and his accuracy.”
And gave him a fifth-round grade, nearly in-line with where he was selected.
As the first day of the legal tampering period ends, the Steelers still have just one quarterback under contract in Skylar Thompson. Even whenever the team adds Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or some other veteran No. 1, they will need a backup and the team always carries four quarterbacks to camp. At the right price, there’s room for Milton, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Pittsburgh gave New England a ring.
