BTSC 2011 Community Mock Draft Pick No. 49 -- Jacksonville Jaguars Select Ryan Mallet, QB, Arkansas

Great stuff here from Flying Polamalus with the Jacksonville Jaguars pick at No. 49. Next up: the San Diego Chargers, represented by new BTSC'er J Lee. - Michael B. -

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A few years ago, as my now 8-year old son came to choosing his own NFL team, he sat in a house divided.  His mom, whom I brought into NFL fandom in 1997, had chosen the despised, Brett Favre-led Packers.  And you know where I stand.  Already the clever little diplomat, he decided to chose neither of his parents' teams, and, to my chagrin, picked the team that had just upset mine in the playoffs.  Of course, little Félix did not know that at the time: he just liked the colors, his own soccer team was named the Jaguars, and they were the only NFL team with a star approaching his own height, Maurice Jones-Drew.

 

Next stop, jersey-time.  Given that Canada and Jaguars don't really go together well in NFL gear retail, I went on e-Bay to order a kid's MJD no. 32.  Lo and behold, the guy screws up the order, and sends me a no. 18 Matt Jones, who had already left the organization in shady circumstances.  So I told the guy to get it right, and not to expect me to pay S&H on returning the discount-rack special either.  To my utter relief, we got no. 32 in the mail a few days later, and now, my son wears both with Jaguars pride.  I'll explain the NFL drug policy to him later.

 

Proof that you don't always get what you order, the NFL Jaguars are not where we expected them to be a few seasons back.  Bad drafting does that to you.  Unexpectedly last season, they contended for the AFC South crown, but that had more to do with the bad injury bug of the Colts than anything else.  Yes, the plucky Jaguars won a few good games (a Hail Mary win stands out among them), but could not deliver in crunch time.

 

As a result, GM Gene Smith, who surprised drafnickdom last year by apparently reaching for Tyson Alualu, could only confirm Del Rio for another season.  Unless they see eye-to-eye on personel matters and draft an outstanding class that helps the embattled coach get over the hump and beat the Colts, it's likely that 2011 will be Del Rio's last one.

 

On to the pick, now.  All of the above comments point to the classic organizational conflict: a general manager building for the long haul, with an almost lame-duck coach seeking to win now to preserve his job.

Unfortunately for Mr. Del Rio, by the time this pick rolls around, there are no sure things for the Jaguars needs this year.  After consulting his constituency (Big Cat Country - Thank you guys!), acting GM Flying Polamalus was left with three choices, 2 among BPAs, and the other going more to a long term need.  The first two are CB Ras-I Dowling, he of the late surge popularity among BTSC draftnicks, and QB Ryan Mallett, the much-maligned, supremely talented Arkansas product.  Both carry their risks, Dowling on the health side, and Mallett on the character side, with a side order of mechanics for short routes.

 

The third option may be a secret preference of GM Smith, and his Hawkeye-loving acting GM Flying Polamalus: Ricky Stanzi may be the anti-Mallett, a steady, solid citizen who may be the more NFL ready of the three, but definitely with less upside than the Razorback QB.  Organizational interest in Stanzi was limited to his Pro Day and some discrete scouting in 2010, but he is a dark horse candidate nonetheless to start planning the after-Garrard era in Jacksonville.  But will it be in the 2nd round?

 

Both GM and acting GM have considered the message that will be sent to the fans and the league, if injury-prone Dowling or reach Stanzi are chosen.  Death watch vigils for Mr. Del Rio would start instantly, and the words lame-duck and embattled would be overused during the regular season, while his name would top the Hot-Seat lists.

 

Gene Smith having apparently considered that 2010 was a sign of life afterall, and having already given a vote of confidence to Mr. Del Rio, instructs his acting GM to confirm said vote of confidence.

 

With the no. 49 pick of the 2011 amateur draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars choose, from the University of Arkansas, QB Ryan Mallett.

 

Standing at a towering 6'7'', and weighing a Garrard-like 253 lbs, the Michigan transfer comes out of two successful seasons in Razorback country, having completed 64 percent of his throws with at 32-12 TD-INT ratio.  He can make most NFL throws, but has struggled a bit with the soft-touch or underneath ones.

 

There are some concerns about his leadership and maturity, but there are good veteran surroundings on the offensive side of the ball, and Mallett will be able to learn under long-time backup David Garrard who, while not going to be ecstatic about the pick, understands the business side of the NFL enough to react like a pro.

 

Furthermore, by picking the sliding Mallett as BPA at 49, GM Smith avoids for a while the funeral watch for his coach.  After having pulled yet another audacious move in the BSTC Community Mock Draft in the first round with DE Brooks Reed, the Jacksonville FO plucks a surefire successor to David Garrard, and announces the upcoming end to mediocre QB play.  Whether said succession will take place in 2011 or later may happen under coach Del Rio, or not."

 

Flying Polamalus