Ryan Mallett Trade?

My morning rundown of checking the websites of the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN led me to an interesting tidbit today.

Don Banks, one of SI's football writers, had a post this morning on the backup quarterback market beginning to form as the NFL free agency period enters its third day.  He mentioned Matt Cassel, who after being cut by the Chiefs yesterday immediately signed with the Vikings, and Kevin Kolb, who is reportedly on the way out in Arizona.

Banks also mentioned Patriots backup quarterback Ryan Mallett.  Mallett will be entering his third year in the NFL and after being mentored by Tom Brady and being coached by Bill Belichick, Bill O'Brien, and Josh McDaniels is becoming a popular target for teams in need of an upgrade at the games most important position.

The draft experts do not believe that there are any "sure things" available from the college ranks this year like there were a year ago with Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.  That should definitely help improve the market for Mallett should the Patriots choose to trade him.  Another benefit for the Patriots is that Mallett was a highly rated propsect coming out of the University of Arkansas but slipped to the third round because there were "character" concerns, based on his admitted use of marijuana.  There have been nothing but positive reports of his work ethic while with the Patriots so any fears about trusting Mallett to run a team have basically been put to rest.

If Belichick can secure a fair package for Mallett - something like a second round pick or a third and seventh round pick - than it is a deal the team needs to make.  Mallett might turn into an excellent NFL quarterback and Boston fans someday might lament trading him for draft picks that may not turn into productive players but there's no sense in holding on to Mallett when the Patriots have Tom Brady under contract for five more years.  They need to strike now, when Mallett has value, and hope to turn the draft pick(s) they get back into players that can immediately play and help the team contend for a championship.