Ryan Mallett Selected by the New England Patriots in Round 3 of 2011 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots have shocked the world with yet another one of their draft choices, going with Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett with their 74th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Mallett had 8,388 yards, 69 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in his collegiate career. He didn't have such great completion percentages in his first two years, but completed 64.7 percent of his passes as a junior in his final year as a Razorback, to go with 3,869 yards and 32 touchdowns.

The Patriots have selected the quarterback that has arguably the best arm in the draft.

There is little doubt about Mallett's physical abilities. He showcased his rocket arm and mobility at the combine. The questions are around his character, rumors of drug addiction, and his maturity.

Mallett may have taken a free fall into the third round, but he landed safely with the New England Patriots. What better environment to help him set his character straight with no expectations on him at the beginning of his career?

Oh yeah, and he has some quarterback named Tom Brady to mentor him through that growth from a college quarterback to a pro.

Speaking of the current franchise quarterback, could Mallett be the next one? That's impossible to predict at this stage. Of course, Mel Kiper Jr. will talk about it like it's a sure thing, as will most in New England over the next few weeks.

Bill Belichick has very much been in the business of developing quarterbacks and creating value in that way. He did it with Matt Cassel in 2009, flipping the former seventh-round pick for a second-rounder. Brian Hoyer has been that type of prospect for the past few years, showing his mettle in preseason games and late in blowouts.

The selection of Mallett doesn't help the Patriots get after the quarterback, doesn't help them strike fear in opposing defenses, and doesn't give them a player that will contribute immediately. What it does is allow them to acquire value by stocking up on the most important position in football.