2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ryan Mallett
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Strengths: Good bulk and great height to scan the field
Outstanding arm strength
Very high talent level and upside
Adept at reading coverages
Nice mental clock in pocket
Quick release
Makes some jaw-dropping throws
Sells play action
Weaknesses: Poor technician
Footwork needs a lot of polish
Lacks some balance as a passer
Not very athletic or mobile
Not a very accurate passer
Shows some inconsistency
Doesn't throw an impressive spiral
Ball tends to sail high
Poor NFL QB pedigree (Bobby Petrino)
Needs a lot of space and minimal pass rush in pocket to operate
Back foot comes up too much on follow through, which hurts accuracy and balance
Character concerns
Summary: Ryan Mallett is getting overrated at this point because everyone is in love with his size and arm strength. However, there isn't much I saw on tape to give Mallett a first-round grade unless he improves greatly in 2010.
Mallett is a very inconsistent quarterback and an extremely raw talent. Plus, let's also factor in Bobby Petrino's poor history of sending quarterbacks to the NFL (Dave Ragone, Stefan LeFors, Chris Redman, Brian Brohm). Something about Petrino's system either doesn't prepare them for the NFL because the receivers are wide open thanks to great route combinations and play calling, or he just finds a way to mask the talent level (not a problem with Mallett).
Mallett is starting the season with a third-round grade in my book with a second-round projection because I think some team will overdraft him due to his immense upside. Maybe Mallett improves next season, but that would just be me giving him the benefit of the doubt, which I rarely do for prospects.
Player Comparison: Derek Anderson. Anderson has the size and the arm, but like Mallett, he is a bad athlete with poor accuracy.
RELATED LINKS:
2011 NFL Mock Draft: Matt's | Walt's
2011 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2011 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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Weaknesses:
Summary: Ryan Mallett is getting overrated at this point because everyone is in love with his size and arm strength. However, there isn't much I saw on tape to give Mallett a first-round grade unless he improves greatly in 2010.
Mallett is a very inconsistent quarterback and an extremely raw talent. Plus, let's also factor in Bobby Petrino's poor history of sending quarterbacks to the NFL (Dave Ragone, Stefan LeFors, Chris Redman, Brian Brohm). Something about Petrino's system either doesn't prepare them for the NFL because the receivers are wide open thanks to great route combinations and play calling, or he just finds a way to mask the talent level (not a problem with Mallett).
Mallett is starting the season with a third-round grade in my book with a second-round projection because I think some team will overdraft him due to his immense upside. Maybe Mallett improves next season, but that would just be me giving him the benefit of the doubt, which I rarely do for prospects.
Player Comparison: Derek Anderson. Anderson has the size and the arm, but like Mallett, he is a bad athlete with poor accuracy.
RELATED LINKS:
2011 NFL Mock Draft: Matt's | Walt's
2011 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2011 NFL Draft Scouting Reports