Would you take Mallett First in draft?

[hard_reign2004]

Mel Kiper has kept Mallett at number 7 on his big board. Even after the lackluster performance this past weekend by Jake Locker he is still rated number one.  I don't get the love affair with this guy.  You aren't even good enough to lead your team to early season wins and you are top QB on board?  My question would you take either of the two QBs on the board in front of Mallett ahead of him in the draft if you were an NFL team? 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=5546352

[edit] let me add it doesn't have to be with the first pick.  If you were evaluating this year's QB class would you indeed rate on your big board Mallett as the number 3 QB? 

[Pecos Hog]

Unless you have a top notch QB with some good years left, any team that likes to pass would be crazy not to want Mallet.    He's going very high in the draft.   

[Flying Razorback]

I would because I'm a Razorback homer.  Especially if you have a good pro with a couple serviceable years left.  Let Mallett learn and develop for a year or two and let him air it out.

[Tax Hog]

Only if I had a vet in front of him or a d@#% good o-line.  Think Swafford v Sanchez.

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

I would.  If he were going to the Steelers.   Don;t wanna see him end up in Oakland because they suck.  Or Dallas because then I wouldn't be able to cheer for him.

[CallThemHawgs!]

I would go Luck 1, Mallet 2... depending on how the year plays out.

Locker is a joke.. if it were not for Tebow this guy would not be on anyones radar.

[sickboy]

I would go Luck 1, Mallet 2... depending on how the year plays out.

Locker is a joke.. if it were not for Tebow this guy would not be on anyones radar.

What does Jake Locker's popularity have to do with Tim Tebow?

[CallThemHawgs!]

People see that Tebow greatness in Locker, the way he can avoid the rush and move around. Only problem is the guy has never won anything and fails to impress me more and more as time goes on. IMO Kellen Moore is a MUCH better NFL QB than Locker will be, but who knows... im not a pro like Kiper.

[Hawgboy64]

The NFL is a Quarterback driven league.  Look at the last decade of Superbowl winning teams with Manning, Brady, Breeze, the little Manning and Big Ben.  You should never pass on a franchise QB.  Mallet can make all of the throws and I believe he has shown that he is coachable.  So yes, I would take him 1st in a heartbeat.

[benthere]

If there's anyway Minnesota could get him...they should.

[sickboy]

People see that Tebow greatness in Locker, the way he can avoid the rush and move around. Only problem is the guy has never won anything and fails to impress me more and more as time goes on. IMO Kellen Moore is a MUCH better NFL QB than Locker will be, but who knows... im not a pro like Kiper.

Oh I see. I thought Tebow said something that, like, blew up the Jake Locker fan boat or something.

[GiantFoamFingerMak]

The NFL is a Quarterback driven league.  Look at the last decade of Superbowl winning teams with Manning, Brady, Breeze, the little Manning and Big Ben.  You should never pass on a franchise QB.  Mallet can make all of the throws and I believe he has shown that he is coachable.  So yes, I would take him 1st in a heartbeat.

And he will be someone's #1 pick...and it will be someone who needs a QB.  The statement earlier that Locker has never won anything holds true for Mallett...FOR NOW.  It is way early in the season and these guys making player predictions are just doing that...making predictions.  If we win, the Mallett will jump Locker and most everyone else on the board, depending on where the picks fall and who has needs.

[songofthesword]

aj green is going first.

i don't think i have ever seen a more nfl ready wide out in my life. that kid is going to be a s.t.u.d

you do not do to sec defenses, what he has done.


i honestly think he could step in and make the pro bowl next year.

[midwestcityhog]

Kansas City should trade every pick possible to land Mallett

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

aj green is going first.

i don't think i have ever seen a more nfl ready wide out in my life. that kid is going to be a s.t.u.d

you do not do to sec defenses, what he has done.


i honestly think he could step in and make the pro bowl next year.

First over potentially a franchise QB.  I think not.

[sickboy]

aj green is going first.

i don't think i have ever seen a more nfl ready wide out in my life. that kid is going to be a s.t.u.d

you do not do to sec defenses, what he has done.


i honestly think he could step in and make the pro bowl next year.

Only four WR's have been picked first in the draft...ever. I doubt he's number 5.

[superior_wang]

Kansas City should trade every pick possible to land Mallett

very true. So should Chicago, Denver, Oakland, Dallas, Washington,...basically everyone cept about 8 teams.

[The real Hogules]

aj green is going first.

i don't think i have ever seen a more nfl ready wide out in my life. that kid is going to be a s.t.u.d

you do not do to sec defenses, what he has done.


i honestly think he could step in and make the pro bowl next year.

You can be to receiving as the wheel was/is to transportation, but without someone to get the ball to you "in the right places and at the right moment" you will have a very short and unproductive career.
It all starts with the QB, especially in the NFL, so I'll bet Mallett goes before ANY SEC player coming out in next years draft.

[doubledragon]

Mallet's draft outlook is very very good. An arm that could throw a football through a house. He throws touchdowns at a very high rate and his touchdown to interception ratio is fantastic. The only negative I see right now is his completion percentage, but hopefully that will come up a little this year.

[ErieHog]

First over potentially a franchise QB.  I think not.

I think it depends.   There is a realistic possibility Detroit and St. Louis have the top pick-- and they're both a season or two into 60 million dollar commitments to their former #1s.

I could see either of those franchises drafting a non-QB, but more likely trading down.

[Nashville Fan]

If RM can complete 86% of his passes against the SEC teams, he will be the top rated QB in the draft.

[hoghead61]

Mallet's draft outlook is very very good. An arm that could throw a football through a house. He throws touchdowns at a very high rate and his touchdown to interception ratio is fantastic. The only negative I see right now is his completion percentage, but hopefully that will come up a little this year.

[doubledragon]

If RM can complete 86% of his passes against the SEC teams, he will be the top rated QB in the draft.

Haha. *fingers crossed*

[Shag66]

Mallet's draft outlook is very very good. An arm that could throw a football through a house. He throws touchdowns at a very high rate and his touchdown to interception ratio is fantastic. The only negative I see right now is his completion percentage, but hopefully that will come up a little this year.

Gotta hope he matures the right way too...

Ryan Leaf had a heck of an arm too ya know...

Hopefully Mallett can keep his head on straight as we go through this season and continue to mature into a real leader both on the field and in the clubhouse. 

We've all seen the "can't miss" guys blow up.  I'm hoping Mallett will stay cool and not get too dazzled by the bright lights, especially if Arkansas has a great year.  He has all the potential in the world.  Let's just hope the situation doesn't overwhelm him like it has with some others...

[doubledragon]

Well, I certainly hope he doesn't need a bigger helmet anytime soon. It's hard to balance between having swag and being a jackass. He's done it well so far.

[Danny J]

The NFL is a Quarterback driven league.  Look at the last decade of Superbowl winning teams with Manning, Brady, Breeze, the little Manning and Big Ben.  You should never pass on a franchise QB.  Mallet can make all of the throws and I believe he has shown that he is coachable.  So yes, I would take him 1st in a heartbeat.

I agree with this. Unless he suffers a major injury(knock on wood) then he will be the #1 pick. He is a great leader, makes all the throws, and by the time he has mastered the petrino offensive play book not to mention playing from under center and audibling at the line.....the NFL scouts will be drooling and dying to trade up to get him. A 6'7" strong armed QB that plays from under center and runs a complex offense while in college does not come along every year. Look at matthew stafford.....he was taken number one overall a couple years ago. If stafford is a number one pick then mallett is most definitely a #1 pick.

[redeye]

I would go Luck 1, Mallet 2... depending on how the year plays out.

Locker is a joke.. if it were not for Tebow this guy would not be on anyones radar.

I pretty much agree with you. I do think Locker is very good, but I agree that he's benefiting from the same stupidity that claims Tebow is the best player to ever play the game. Plus, it seems like running quarterbacks are doomed to fail in the NFL. The other day, I heard someone on TV say that Jim Plunkett told him that you see a lot of talented, young running quarterbacks, but you never see one that's old. He went on to say that NFL teams pay quarterbacks for their arm and not their legs. I agree with that.

I haven't seen Luck play much, but unlike Locker, he does look like a NFL QB to me. I don't know if he's better than Mallett, but he is most impressive and it wouldn't surprise me if he went first.

[CallThemHawgs!]

I pretty much agree with you. I do think Locker is very good, but I agree that he's benefiting from the same stupidity that claims Tebow is the best player to ever play the game. Plus, it seems like running quarterbacks are doomed to fail in the NFL. The other day, I heard someone on TV say that Jim Plunkett told him that you see a lot of talented, young running quarterbacks, but you never see one that's old. He went on to say that NFL teams pay quarterbacks for their arm and not their legs. I agree with that.

I haven't seen Luck play much, but unlike Locker, he does look like a NFL QB to me. I don't know if he's better than Mallett, but he is most impressive and it wouldn't surprise me if he went first.

Luck is a proto NFL QB, hes a bit shorter than Mallett at 6`4 235 but hes fairly agile and knows the game. He can make all of the throws and keeps his composure. I dont think it even needs to be said, but his recieving corp is nothing close to ours and he still carries the team with his arm. I know I will get smited for this but IMO if u put him and RM on the same team it would be a dead heat for starter. Only time will tell but if Arkansas has the season we hope they have then I think RM def goes #1, if not then I think it would be about the same as last year.

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

I think it depends.   There is a realistic possibility Detroit and St. Louis have the top pick-- and they're both a season or two into 60 million dollar commitments to their former #1s.

I could see either of those franchises drafting a non-QB, but more likely trading down.

I stand corrected.  You are exactly right.  If a team like that wants a young talented wideout to go with their young talented QB it could happen.  Before doing that though they dang sure better have the o-lines in good shape.  So I see the trading down as the more likely of the two.

[beantownhog]

Interesting topic!  For what it's worth (gossip!), NESN, New England Sports Network, has hinted several times that the Patriots are "very high on Arkansas Quarterback, Ryan Mallett." The Patriots have several high picks this year, and they are starting to realize that Brady is at the apex of his career, if not over it!

Personally, I gotta think that Jerry Jones is chomping at the bit to get a shot at Ryan! 

[Hawg Balling]

Mel Kiper has kept Mallett at number 7 on his big board. Even after the lackluster performance this past weekend by Jake Locker he is still rated number one.  I don't get the love affair with this guy.  You aren't even good enough to lead your team to early season wins and you are top QB on board?  My question would you take either of the two QBs on the board in front of Mallett ahead of him in the draft if you were an NFL team? 

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=5546352

[edit] let me add it doesn't have to be with the first pick.  If you were evaluating this year's QB class would you indeed rate on your big board Mallett as the number 3 QB?

I consider myself objective on this issue, but the more I see of Jake Locker, the less I'm impressed with him.  After all, he's gotten a lot of hype for a player who hasn't accomplished much statistically in college for a team that hasn't accomplished much.

[BillyHog53]

I used to be a Huge Raiders fan until Al Davis completely went senile. Now I kind of pull for the Boys and I hope JJ makes every effort to get Ryan. Besides, Peyton Manning is the next Ryan Mallett.

[Hornkiller]

Of  the teams expected to be at the bottom: Buffalo, Kansas City, Seattle, and Jacksonville won't have a young former high draft pick under center. Washington techiqually does but McNabb is getting long in the tooth. 

Ideally I'd like to see Mallet go to the Redskins to be tutored by McNabb under Shanahan's system. (as it would be best for him, not Dallas) However if he continues to play lights out it looks like Buffalo or Kansas City. Jacksonville wouldn't be bad but I'd hate to see him go play for Sneaky Pete and the Seahawks.

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

On the super greedy side of things I would love to see him stay for another year.  But how does that saying go?  Wish in one hand and poop in the other.

[Shag66]

On the super greedy side of things I would love to see him stay for another year.  But how does that saying go?  Wish in one hand and poop in the other.

I've been saying for a while that we need to keep an eye on the NFL lockout situation... 

That could be the one thing that might keep Mallett in school for another season...

[Johnny America]

It really all depends on how the draft order plays out. You know the Lions or Rams could not take him. KC still has a lot of guaranteed money tied up in Cassel. Locker is built to be an NFL QB. He reminds me of the QB from Kansas State that went to Tampa Bay. He is not going to win anything in college but he just has the physical make up to be in the league. Would I take him over Mallet? No. I may be a little biased though.

[AFWarrior83]

He's a top 5 pick for sure, not positive about the #1 pick though.

[JBucc]

Being honest as an Arkansas and KC fan I'd want the Chiefs to draft Luck right now. As a prospect he's nearly flawless, you can criticize his lack of experience but that's about it. I'd still be thrilled with Mallett though and if our O-line were better I might take him over Luck.

[ark525]

Any team that is in bad enough shape to end up with the #1 pick (unless they traded up for it) doesn't need a QB.  They need a franchise left tackle.

[litmachog]

Or Dallas because then I wouldn't be able to cheer for him.

I agree with this.  I want to be able to cheer for him and don't know that I could do it if he went there.  Can't stand Dallas.

[wholehog92]

very true. So should Chicago, Denver, Oakland, Dallas, Washington,...basically everyone cept about 8 teams.

Chicago's dumb ass has too much money tied into Cutler to draft a decent QB.  They have to draft Oline and WRs this year and a RB wouldn't hurt.  If they don't, I may have to turn in my C.  I'm still pizzed about Cutler.

[wholehog92]

Back on the subject though, I would take Mallett over Luck if my team was close except QB, and Luck over Mallett if I could let them ride the bench for a year learning.  I think Mallett has seen better defense, and plays in a system that better prepares him for the NFL than Luck so will be more ready to step in and play.  I like Luck's mobility though.

[Iwastherein1969]

I agree with this.  I want to be able to cheer for him and don't know that I could do it if he went there.  Can't stand Dallas.

I don't quite get the hatred for Dallas to this extent...yeah, there are a lot of teams that I don't like in the NFL but if a Razorback hero, hell even just a regular UA player gets drafted by one of these teams, I'M ALL IN FOR THAT TEAM !  why the hatred of Dallas to the extent of not pulling for them even with Razorbacks on their team....Felix and Ken Hamlin both started for Dallas last year and now you are saying if  Mallett somehow went to Dallas you STILL couldn't pull for them ?   that's not hatred, it's flat out an obsession

[wholehog92]

I don't quite get the hatred for Dallas to this extent...yeah, there are a lot of teams that I don't like in the NFL but if a Razorback hero, hell even just a regular UA player gets drafted by one of these teams, I'M ALL IN FOR THAT TEAM !  why the hatred of Dallas to the extent of not pulling for them even with Razorbacks on their team....Felix and Ken Hamlin both started for Dallas last year and now you are saying if  Mallett somehow went to Dallas you STILL couldn't pull for them ?   that's not hatred, it's flat out an obsession

You left off the owner is a NC winner for the hogs.  I still hate em.

I'll tell about my reasons but there are so many reasons others may vary.

When I was a young little football crazed maniac, I loved the Cowboys.  Then bam new owner, and drop Tom Landry like panties on prom night.  That man was an institution.  That put things in a whole new light for me.  Then they started this America's team crap and acted like they could just proclaim greatness and suddenly be great.  Then they got Aikman, Irvin, Smith, and company and acted like they were always great.  The attitude pushed me further away and I found a team that was semi regional, had real history, and had a chip on their shoulder.  I played defense, so a defensive team appealed to me.  The Bears became my favorite team and being in the same division, the hatred has grown.

The NFL is a different game than college.  I will always appreciate Hamlin, Jones, and Mallett for their time as a Hog.  That has nothing to do with what I think of their NFL career.  As far as Brett Goode goes, I hope he gets ear-holed every time he steps on the field from now until the time he joins the Bears.  I still have a deep appreciation for his time at AR.

[ezbhog]

Would i make make him the number 1 draft pick, no it is a huge investment, money and time, to select a qb 1st in the draft.

Nobody want the number 1 pick anymore do to these costs.

[HotlantaHog]

Mallett is a great talent but still developing. I was very impressed with his performance last Saturday -- it didn't matter so much that it was against a no-name opponent.

Mallett needs to:

1) Increase his pass completion percentage. It was under 60 percent last year.

2) Increase the Hogs third down conversions, among the worst in the SEC last year.

3) Win Big Games. Last year, the Hogs lost vs. Florida, vs. LSU, vs. Bama, vs. Georgia. Mallett played well in some of those games but didn't show the intangible leadership quality that shows itself in winning the biggest games.

I was very pleased vs. Tennessee Tech that Mallett seemed to be more interested in game management, including making short passes to keep the Hogs moving, than big strikes. Third down conversions were up too.

The next step will be winning big games and I have confidence that is going to happen, soon.

All that said, I can see why some at a national level have a wait-and-see attitude. If Mallett has the kind of year he is capable of, though, the doubters will become believers.

[Iwastherein1969]

You left off the owner is a NC winner for the hogs.  I still hate em.

I'll tell about my reasons but there are so many reasons others may vary.

When I was a young little football crazed maniac, I loved the Cowboys.  Then bam new owner, and drop Tom Landry like panties on prom night.  That man was an institution.  That put things in a whole new light for me.  Then they started this America's team crap and acted like they could just proclaim greatness and suddenly be great.  Then they got Aikman, Irvin, Smith, and company and acted like they were always great.  The attitude pushed me further away and I found a team that was semi regional, had real history, and had a chip on their shoulder.  I played defense, so a defensive team appealed to me.  The Bears became my favorite team and being in the same division, the hatred has grown.

The NFL is a different game than college.  I will always appreciate Hamlin, Jones, and Mallett for their time as a Hog.  That has nothing to do with what I think of their NFL career.  As far as Brett Goode goes, I hope he gets ear-holed every time he steps on the field from now until the time he joins the Bears.  I still have a deep appreciation for his time at AR.

the AMERICA'S TEAM tag was placed on the Cowboys at least a decade before Jerry Jones took over....if you remember Al Michaels calling the 'Miracle On Ice' in the 1980 Olympics, when introducing the USA Hockey team for the Gold medal game against Finland, he (Michaels) retorted, "with deference to the Dallas Cowboys, this is America's Team"....if you don't believe me, take a look at the replay of the HBO special of the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team....so, it wasn't Jerrah who proclaimed the Cowboys as America's Team, that was long since done before 1988....and Coach Landry was a great man and was fired in a way unbecoming to his earned stature, however, Coach Landry did need to be let go, just in a way more befitting his legendary status and Jones is at fault for this

[wholehog92]

the AMERICA'S TEAM tag was placed on the Cowboys at least a decade before Jerry Jones took over....if you remember Al Michaels calling the 'Miracle On Ice' in the 1980 Olympics, when introducing the USA Hockey team for the Gold medal game against Finland, he (Michaels) retorted, "with deference to the Dallas Cowboys, this is America's Team"....if you don't believe me, take a look at the replay of the HBO special of the 1980 USA Olympic hockey team....so, it wasn't Jerrah who proclaimed the Cowboys as America's Team, that was long since done before 1988....and Coach Landry was a great man and was fired in a way unbecoming to his earned stature, however, Coach Landry did need to be let go, just in a way more befitting his legendary status and Jones is at fault for this

Before Jerry, the name was put on them by the media.  After Jerry, it was marketed and pushed.  I might not see it that way if Landry had been handled differently.  I never said he should have been kept, just the methodology was terrible and him being a hero of mine at the time and Jerry being the new guy on the block, didn't feel he handled it well at all.  I still don't think he's put in a valid effort to rectify that wrong.

Sorry for the hijack of a good thread OP.

[Iwastherein1969]

Before Jerry, the name was put on them by the media.  After Jerry, it was marketed and pushed.  I might not see it that way if Landry had been handled differently.  I never said he should have been kept, just the methodology was terrible and him being a hero of mine at the time and Jerry being the new guy on the block, didn't feel he handled it well at all.  I still don't think he's put in a valid effort to rectify that wrong.

Sorry for the hijack of a good thread OP.

the man died...he retired Landry's name or hat in the ring of honor....I"m not sure there is anything else he could have done after the fact...but its my understanding that Coach Landry and Jerry Jones were on good terms and Jerry visited Coach many times during his illness....maybe the visits were because of Jerry's guilt, maybe they were out of respect, but likely a combination of both....by the way, if you hate the Cowboys, you go away unhappy about 2 out of every 3 Sundays they play....not a winning battle there

ad: if I needed a pocket passing son of a gun for my pro football franchise, yes, I'd take him (Ryan) in a heartbeat

[Jeff "hogfanintx" Anderson]

I don't quite get the hatred for Dallas to this extent...yeah, there are a lot of teams that I don't like in the NFL but if a Razorback hero, hell even just a regular UA player gets drafted by one of these teams, I'M ALL IN FOR THAT TEAM !  why the hatred of Dallas to the extent of not pulling for them even with Razorbacks on their team....Felix and Ken Hamlin both started for Dallas last year and now you are saying if  Mallett somehow went to Dallas you STILL couldn't pull for them ?   that's not hatred, it's flat out an obsession

Had my first Bradshaw jersey at 3 and first Franco jersey when I was 5.  Been a Steeler fan ever since, and didn't give a rip about the cows one way or the other.  Then I moved to TX for the first time in like 87 or 88.  The cows weren't very good.  There was no hoopla about the cows.  No houses or vehicles with the star painted on it.   Mainly all I heard was I will never again like the cows because of what they did to Landry.  Older cow fans might have thought they meant it and younger cow fans just repeated what daddy said.  I even went to a couple games the 1-15 season.

Bam cows start winning super bowls.  A few of those older people still stuck by I won;t like them because of Landry, but not many.  Next thing you know it's stars painted on everything.  The entire DFW area are now lifelong cow fans that were just on a mysterious vacation for a few years.  I got people coming up at work and cheering how bout them boys after each Sunday only to find out most could name Moose,Troy,Emmitt,Michael, and Novacek.  Now some of this is normal, but not to this extent.  Meanwhile I suffered through the mark malone, kordell stewart, and neil o'donnell times.  But still cheering for my team.

Wanna know what I mean just look at how many Ranger fans there are this season.  Where have they been hiding?  It's just a DFW thing.  Most of my dislike of the cows is from their fans.  So if Mallett goes to the boys no I will not cheer for them.  I will hope he does well but the team does not.  That is the same way I am about Arkansas high school players that could have gone to the Hogs but chose not to.  Let them have great individual games, but that's about it.