National media outlet predicts if former Vols QB Joe Milton will make Patriots' 53-man roster
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton has always had an eye on reaching the NFL. That's part of the reason why Milton initially signed with the Michigan Wolverines out of high school — to play in a pro-style system under Jim Harbaugh and Pep Hamilton and to also experience playing in cold weather (in preparation […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton has always had an eye on reaching the NFL.
That's part of the reason why Milton initially signed with the Michigan Wolverines out of high school — to play in a pro-style system under Jim Harbaugh and Pep Hamilton and to also experience playing in cold weather (in preparation for potentially playing for a cold weather team in the NFL).
Milton was selected by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, getting the former Vol a step closer to his ultimate goal of playing in the NFL.
Sixth round draft picks, however, aren't guaranteed spots on the 53-man roster. The Patriots currently have four quarterbacks on their roster. Fellow rookie Drake Maye, the Patriots' first round selection in the NFL Draft earlier this spring, is a lock to make New England's 53-man roster. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is also a lock to make the 53-man roster. That means that Milton is competing with Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round selection by the Patriots in the 2022 NFL Draft, for the No. 3 quarterback job in New England.
Earlier this week, The Athletic's Chad Graff made his early 53-man roster projection for the Patriots. And he has Milton earning a spot on the 53-man roster over Zappe.
"Even Zappe must know his days with the Patriots are probably limited," wrote Graff on Monday. "Mayo said he’s fine bringing four quarterbacks to training camp, but it might be hard for the Pats to get Milton onto the practice squad, so Zappe is probably the odd man out."
Zappe might be the "safer" choice for the Patriots thanks to his prior NFL experience (Zappe has eight career NFL starts under his belt), but Milton has the higher ceiling. And thanks to the presence of Brissett on the roster, the Patriots can afford to keep the player with the higher ceiling over the player with the higher floor.
As long as Milton stays healthy and doesn't struggle throughout the summer, it sounds like he should find a home on the Patriots' 53-man roster this fall.
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