2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Arkansas Quarterback Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett has had a very interesting road to the NFL. After starting his career off at Michigan, he made the switch to Arkansas two years ago and has had a very productive couple of seasons for the Razorbacks. He has shown excellent durability, starting 26 games and throwing for 7,493 yards, 62 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Against tough SEC competition, those numbers are fantastic. Mallett’s completion percentage also increased from 56 percent in his first year at Arkansas to nearly 65 percent.
So why do I believe Mallett will have a tough time transitioning to the NFL?
Measurables
6’7″ 253 (No 40 time)
34 3/8 inch arms
10 3/4 inch hands
Arm Strength
Probably has the biggest arm of any player in this draft. This is undoubtedly Mallett’s biggest strength. He can fit the ball into any window, and he can make throws that some of the better quarterbacks could never dream of making. His strong arm can sometimes get him into trouble, but he definitely has the ability to make every throw, and he makes it look easy. The downside to this is that he relies heavily on his arm strength, and will sometimes make throws off of his back foot which causes his accuracy to falter.
Accuracy
Typically, accuracy is not an issue for Mallett as long as he has a comfortable pocket. As you can see by the numbers, Mallett has a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio at Arkansas against tough competition in the SEC, and when he has time to throw, he is one of the best in the Draft if not the best. His height allows him to see parts of the field that many other quarterbacks cannot, and his arm strength allows him to fit the ball into the tightest of windows. Accuracy at times can be sporadic, and he will make some overthrows on deep passes (see Alabama).
Athleticism
Probably Mallett’s biggest weakness on the field. When he is flushed out of the pocket, it appears as though he is running with cement in his shoes, and he has pretty bad mobility overall. Has the ability to slide his feet and avoid the sack at times and will take off and run when given the opportunity, but he is a pure pocket passer.
Intangibles
This is the biggest question I have about Mallett-his character on and off the field. He strikes me as immature at times, and his personality often makes me question whether he can truly command an NFL huddle. I love that Mallett is self-confident, and loves to play the game of football, but this is where he reminds me of Jay Cutler. He seems more worried about his individual performance than on rallying his teammates.
UPDATE: Mallett has indeed been a team captain for the Razorbacks for two years. The initial research I found on NFL Draft Scout indicated that he had not been. You can read about his being elected captain here
Has been accused of cocaine use, which he says is a rumor. Also has been arrested for public intoxication in 2009.
Bottom Line
Mallett may be the most NFL ready quarterback in this class based on ability alone, but it’s not just based on ability. I have questions about his ability to make throws under duress. His footwork becomes very sloppy when the pocket is collapsing, and his decision making skills become worse as the pressure gets worse. In his two biggest games at Arkansas (Alabama and Ohio State) he threw game-ending interceptions.
Mallett didn’t have the greatest supporting cast, but he made the players around him better similar to the way Cutler did at Vanderbilt. While Cutler is twice the athlete Mallett is, I think I see a lot of similarities in the two. Personally for me, I wouldn’t take Mallett before the late 2nd round, and maybe not even then. I have seen a mock draft that has him going to Cincinnati in the third round, and I thought that was a solid spot.
His arm is fantastic, and he is what we call a “boom or bust” prospect. He has the abilit y to look unbelievable at times, and completely horrid at times, just like any prospect. I have him projected as a 1st or 2nd round prospect, because that’s where I think he will eventually wind up going, but if I were a GM, I would probably pull the trigger in the 3rd. I think there are too many questions.
Now, we have been hearing that Mallett has aced some of his Combine interviews, which is a positive sign for him. I have no questions about his on-field abilities other than a couple of things to tweak with decision making under pressure.
Overall, I think Mallett could be a very good NFL quarterback if he can become more of a leader. That is something I definitely think he needs to work on.