The latest 2011 NFL mock draft has Ryan Mallett heading to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 21. It’s true Seattle does have a pressing need for a quarterback of the future, with Matt Hasselbeck on the decline and Charlie Whitehurst’s status uncertain, but is Mallett the answer. The Arkansas quarterback has plenty of tools, but has, seemingly, slid under the radar in 2010 after picking up plenty of offseason hype.
Let’s take a look at a few of the others that may be available when the Seahawks number comes up in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Jake Locker: The Washington Huskies quarterback is a ball of athletic ability and potential, but has yet to live up to the hype on the field. There’s no question Locker is an amazing athletic, possessing a strong arm and game-breaking speed, but is he a quarterback? NFL general managers will put him through the meat-grinder in the offseason in hopes of getting a better look at his potential.
Blaine Gabbert: The Missouri quarterback isn’t a first round selection as of now, but all that could change as the draft draws closer. Gabbert could even be the second quarterback off the board, depending on how his workouts go. He’s in the draft, having declared after the Tigers' bowl game, and is an intriguing prospect. Keep an eye on Gabbert as we head toward April.
Aside from the top quarterback prospects, Andrew Luck and Cam Newton, it’s a muddled mess of quarterbacks with question marks. Gabbert, Mallett and Locker could all be in the mix when Seattle heads to the podium at No. 21, but may not be the type of players that could contribute right away. We will, however, find out more about all these prospects as offseason workouts and the NFL Scouting Combine commence following bowl season.