2011 NFL Draft: 10 NFL Teams That May Draft Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett

2011 NFL Draft: The Top 5 Projected NFL teams for Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett

The Arkansas Razorbacks are going to miss Ryan Mallett. He masterfully controlled the Hogs wide open offense and nearly shattered every record possible.

Mallett amassed over 8,000 yards at Arkansas while tossing 69 touchdowns. He improved every year at quarterback rating, yardage, and completion percentage while at Arkansas, proving he can learn and improve as he matures.

He has the size, accuracy and potential many NFL teams covet. He will be drafted this year, but the question remains, who will draft him?

Here is a look at 10 teams that can take a shot on Ryan Mallett on draft day, in order of the likelihood of selecting him.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals don’t need a quarterback now because Carson Palmer is still a very serviceable field general in the NFL. However, this season, he showed signs of breaking down, and he is always injury-prone.

Ryan Mallet could have a few years to mature and learn under Palmer and would be on a decent team to start his career. As of now, the backup quarterback for the Bengals is Jordon Palmer, Carson’s brother and that won’t last long.

The overall four pick may be too early for Mallett so they will most likely improve on defense. Still an outside shot they grab Mallett.

9. Carolina Panthers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Jimmy Clausen #2 of the Carolina Panthers calls a timeout during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers won’t draft Mallett No. 1, but they are definitely in the market for a quarterback.  

The Panthers hired Ron Rivera as head coach, and he has a defensive background. So, the first pick will most likely go on defense, but the need is still there. If they decide to trade the first pick or Mallett slips in the draft, the Panthers may take a shot on him.

8. Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll insists he wants to sign Matt Hasselbeck to stay on with the team, but he is not the future of this team. It’s highly unlikely Charlie Whitehurst will be the man for years to come either, so that leaves the Seahawks looking or a quarterback.

Jake Locker would give them some local flavor, but Mallett will fit well in the system that Carroll wants to run. The Seahawks will draft late this year so Mallett at this point would be a nice pick.

7. Washington Redskins

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan makes a point with a referee in the fourth quarter of a game against the New York Giants at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Phot

Washington Redskins

Mike Shanahan had a few quarterback problems this year with his current passers and would most certainly be interested in an upgrade.

The Redskins will most likely trade Donovan McNabb, and the future of the franchise is not Rex Grossman. Drafting Mallett in the No. 10 spot just makes sense for this team.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars passes against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars need a quarterback to learn under current signal caller, David Garrard. The only decision is which quarterback to take.

At No. 16, the Jags may not have a choice in the matter as several quarterbacks can be off the board by the time they choose. If Mallett is still around, the Jags will jump at the chance to get this kind of talent.

5. Buffalo Bills

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Buffalo Bills readies to pass against the New England Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills got a surprisingly good year out of Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. He passed for over 3,000 yards and 23 scores, yet he was not the starter at the beginning of the season.

If the Bills can get Mallett, he could work a year or two under the guidance of Fitzpatrick and get to know the system. Fitzpatrick is a good quarterback for now but will not be the future of this franchise. That is where Mallett fits in.

4. Arizona Cardinals

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Derek Anderson #3 of the Arizona Cardinals walks off the field after a third down sack in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium on November 14, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona.

Arizona Cardinals

The Derek Anderson experiment in Arizona is a bust, and Max Hall and John Skelton could not get the job done in limited opportunity.

A quarterback is on the must-have list for the Cardinals if they want to compete in the NFC West. Since 7-9 got the Seahawks to the playoffs this year, drafting Mallett could be the thing that puts this team over the spot.

The fifth overall spot may be too early for Mallett, but if the birds want a QB, he will be there.

3. Minnesota Vikings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings

The Brett Favre era is over in Minnesota, and it’s time the Vikings went shopping for a signal caller.

Joe Webb performed well in his few starts at the end of the season, but it’s always nice to have more than one quarterback in the stall just in case one doesn’t pan out.

Many of the mock drafts have the Vikings drafting Cam Newton, but why would they want two quarterbacks with the same skill set? Mallett provides the Vikings with a pro-set quarterback and a mobile quarterback in Webb.

Don’t be surprised if the Vikings scoop him up at No. 12.

2. Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Lorenzo Alexander #97 of the Washington Redskins forces a fumble by quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverso

Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans recently announced they will part ways with Vince Young, and veteran Kerry Collins is not the future of the franchise.

Jeff Fisher and Bud Adams will most likely steer clear from Cam Newton due to his similarities with Young and nab Ryan Mallett. Mallett can grow in this system that features the running of Chris Johnson to protect him from aggressive defenses.

At the No. 8 spot, Mallett will still be around and too good to pass up.

San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 07: Jim Harbaugh speaks at a press conference where he was introduced as the new San Francisco 49ers head coach at the Palace Hotel on January 7, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh is the new head coach of the 49ers, and he has to believe the first step to reviving this program is getting a quarterback for the future.

Harbaugh will most likely tell Alex Smith and Troy Smith they can compete for a job, but it’s quite evident the QB is the weakness of this team.

At No. 7 overall, Ryan Mallett will be there and unless Blaine Gabbert drops, they should snatch up Mallett with this pick.

Final Destination?

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks looks to pass in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by M

Final Destination

The most likely spot for Mallett to land is in San Francisco, but this is the NFL and anything can happen. Whoever drafts Mallet will get a quality leader on the field with some strong upside.

He is overflowing with potential and would be a solid pick for any NFL team looking to build for the future.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].