One month ago, we passed along a report from NFL Network’s Albert Breer stating that Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett’s draft stock would be adversely affected by “off-field issues.”
Though we’ve yet to uncover any damning specifics aside from Mallett’s seemingly harmless 2009 arrest for public intoxication, Breer’s report appears to be backed up by Adam Caplan of FOXSports.com.
Caplan wrote on Twitter Tuesday night that Mallett is “almost certain” to drop out of the first round of April’s draft, even going so far as to say it “wouldn’t shock (Caplan) to see Mallett fall to the third (round).” Similar to Breer, Caplan cites “baggage, and not the kind you carry” as the main reason for Mallett’s projected draft-day slip.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper recently removed Mallett from his Big Board of top-25 prospects.
Mallett has a cannon arm, ideal pocket passer build at 6-foot-6 and 238 pounds, and set Arkansas records for career passing yards, touchdowns, and 300-yard games. With roughly 11 weeks to go before the draft, however, the writing on the wall says Mallett won’t be among the first 32 players selected on April 28.
Adjust your mock draft accordingly.