2011 NFL Draft, 50 in 50: Ryan Mallett - QB - Arkansas (24 of 50)

Since the 49ers are not convinced that Alex Smith will the the quarterback next year, let alone even on the team, they will be taking in to consideration all of the other options back there. Specifically, the ones that have declared for this year's NFL Draft.

Some of these rookies will pan out and of course some will never suit up on gameday in an NFL game outside of the preseason. Some of these players will be drafted high and those players will most likely get a couple years at the least to prove themselves. The later round guys may not have as much time to develop considering that there is a draft each and every year.

Some players are more rough around the edges than others. The there are some players who have talent but do not accept constructive criticism very well. Typically the players who work the hardest and stay modest are the ones who have the most success as NFL players.The bottom line is that if a player can help a team, then they will ultimately get their chance to shine at the next level.

In reviewing yet another rookie quarterback in this 50 in 50, follow after the jump to take a look at the pro's and con's of Arkansas quarterback, Ryan Mallett.

Over the years, Ryan Mallett has shown improvement. He has got better each year. And as a college quarterback, he was one of the best in the nation. There were a few games throughout last season that he struggled in, but overall, he was difficult to stop in a tough conference. His arm strength is tremendous and his accuracy has improved.

However, the kicker for Mallett may be the lack of mobility. You cannot teach athleticism. It's something you have or you don't. With the speed of the NFL getting quicker and quicker each year that the league evolves, it may seem like Mallett is going in slow motion compared to a majority of the league.

If he is not taking snaps out of shotgun 95% of the time (which is rare in the NFL), it's likely it will be very difficult for him to find success at the next level because of opposing defenses speed. The other problem Mallett has is his footwork. At most times, Mallett does not step in to his throws (as seen above). Often times he is flat-footed and just tries to arm it in there. Receivers will not be as open in the NFL as they were at Arkansas, and that alone could lead to costly errors. Although he can be taught proper footwork in the NFL, it's always better to look for a quarterback who has been doing it his entire life. The video above, is a good illustration of all of the accused.

Here is a look at Mallett's career stats:

Summary: In watching Mallett over the years, I have been on the teeter-totter in my thoughts of what he can and will be in the NFL. For the concerns stated above below the video, my conclusion is that I don't have a ton of confidence that Mallett can start effectively in the National Football League. If he does, I will be the first to admit that I was wrong. With the combination of his cocky attitude, and his lack of a few important tangibles, I feel comfortable in my assessment. It would take a real strong group of supporting cast for him to accelerated where he is currently at. His best bet to humble him and let him learn on a slower curve would be to back up an established quarterback for a few years.

PREDICTION: Late 1st Round - 2nd Round. There is a very, very small chance that he could slide to the 3rd much like Colt McCoy did, but it is doubtful that he does with such a high demand for quarterback this year.