NFL Draft 2011: Ryan Mallett a High-Risk, High-Reward Prospect?

NFL draft prospect Ryan Mallett is kind of an enigma.

On one hand, it's pretty clear he has the physical ability to become a success in the National Football League. OK, he may not be fleet afoot. But he stockpiled over 60 touchdowns and 7,000 passing yards in just two seasons at the University of Arkansas. Those are gaudy numbers to say the least, especially against SEC talent.

And his experience in a pro-style offense with the Razorbacks doesn't hurt his chances for NFL employment, either.

But here's where things get cloudy.

Mallett carries the dreaded "character concerns" label like a scarlet letter. Warranted or not, it's enough to cost a future NFL star millions of dollars. And in Mallett's case, it probably will, in the form of his first-round talent being a second-round selection.

Mallett was arrested for public intoxication a couple years ago, which might be enough of a red flag to scare some teams away. But rumors of past drug use went unaddressed in a media session at the NFL scouting combine in February, prompting many to believe if the stories weren't true, why would he avoid answering the questions?

It does make you wonder.

But one thing's for sure. NFL teams get their one-on-one time with each scouting combine participant—and oftentimes spend several days with a player of their particular liking afterward. They also do a tremendous amount of homework on any incoming prospect. So, they should know whether Mallett's silence with the media speaks volumes or whether he simply didn't feel like talking about it.

The truth of the matter, so we're told, is that Mallett never failed a drug test. And anyone who's really interested in obtaining his services can look into the matter more closely and contact his references.

Mallett's story is not unlike other pro prospects who have come before him, threatening to fulfill a team's first-round selection only to have their NFL draft stock plummet by allegations of this or that. It has become an increasingly important issue since NFL commissioner Roger Goodell instituted a league-wide personal conduct policy in 2007.

No NFL team wants another Ryan Leaf, Todd Marinovich or Art Schlichter on its hands—so successful at the college level, with so much potential, only to be realized as an NFL bust. Thirty-two teams will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen to them. Even if it means passing on a quarterback they have the slightest doubt about...a quarterback who could be great.

Sometimes the risk isn't worth the reward.

Ryan Mallett needs one team to believe in him. And one team will. It just might not happen as quickly as he would like.