Arkansas junior quarterback Ryan Mallett has opted to skip his senior season and enter the 2011 NFL Draft. A transfer from the University of Michigan, he sat out the 2008 season because of NCAA rules but started each of the past two seasons for the Razorbacks.

Mallett tossed 62 touchdown passes over the last two seasons. In 2010, he set career bests in passing yardage (3,869) and passing efficiency (163.65).

Strengths

• Cannon of an arm - can make all the necessary NFL throws and then some
• Prototypical pocket passer
• Size (6-foot-6 3/4, 253 pounds)
• Throws a well-placed deep ball

• Classic risk-reward pick

  Sound throwing motion
• Impressive passer when he has a clean pocket
• Comes out well from under center
• Upside

Weaknesses

• Total lack of mobility - not a threat to run or throw on the move; needs a clean pocket to be effective
• Relies too much on his arm strength
• Inconsistent footwork
• Had battled weight issues in the past (up to 253 pounds now; was listed at 238 during the 2010 season)
• Needs to improve his touch passes - too many bullets
• Leadership and maturity concerns - arrested for public intoxication in 2009
• Has to work on reading defenses
• Accuracy issues

Expected draft placement

While there is talk about Mallett being a first-round pick, we feel the only way that will happen is if a team is enamored with his upside and believes he will develop into a star with a little help from the coaching staff. With that being said, he truly is a wildcard in the opening round.

Going in the first certainly isn't out of the question, but we feel Mallett's questionable maturity and lack of mobility will land him in the early second round. He would probably be best served sitting behind a poised veteran quarterback for a few years as he learns the ropes of being an NFL quarterback.