Look at these names..
Geno Smith
Tyler Wilson
Matt Barkley
Logan Thomas
Tyler Bray
Teddy Bridgewater
Johnny Manziel
Do you see anyone on this list that you'd suggest could be a prospect to be a Franchise QB than Mallet.
Lets remember Mallet was in the conversation for #1 overall pick prior to the 2011 draft and fell because of character concerns not talent. Well coming to NE working behind TB and under BB in addition to losing a substantial amount of weight after his rookie season I think addresses those concerns.
Jaguars
Browns
Jets
Chiefs
Bills
Raiders
Cardinals
Ryan Mallet is not Matt Cassal he was a top recruit, a starter throughout his college career and considered a top 10 talent.
Well Teddy Bridgewater is way better than Mallett, but I take your point.
In terms of the Cleveland #6, there are a number of factors in favour of the pick.
1. As you noted, the quality of the QB's is very weak. Geno Smith is down to #14 on NFLDraftScout's rankings and there's been some suggestion that no QB is first round worthy this year. Also read today that the Bills aren't that interested in Nassib. Possibly, possibly not but I don't think there's any HC or GM excited about the draft class this year at QB.
2. Michael Lombardi loves BB.
3. Michael Lombardi loves Mallett. Or at least he did in the run up to the 2011 draft. Had him ranked as the #1 QB in the draft and didn't think he had character concerns:
From a webchat:
Q. Where do you think Ryan Mallet will end up? and do you think he has the most QB skills of all in the draft?
ML. Hey Johnny, I think he's going to go in the first round, I think Miami would be a good destination. He does have some of the best skills in the draft, he's accurate short, medium and long and has great football awareness.
Q. Hi Brian, In all seriousness, given the slow progression of Chad Henne, how likely do you feel it is for Miami to go after a QB? Who do you feel would be the best fit if they did?
ML.Hey Pat, I think there's a high probability they go after a QB, and as I just mentioned I think Mallett is a good fit. I've watched the tape on Mallett, I think he's a good player.
4. Cleveland doesn't have a #2 pick and next years top 10 looks potentially outstanding whilst this years, not so much. It might make more sense to get the pain over and done with.
5. Their new offensive scheme will most likely consist of handing the ball off and throwing it deep, and per above, Lombardi has already acknowledged Mallett's accuracy throwing the ball deep.
6. Mallett is younger than Weeden and cheaper and the new FO has no personal commitment to Weeden. They may feel that they could get some value back by trading Weeden (they'd still have McCoy as backup).
7. If the trade works out well for the Browns, Lombardi looks like a genius, particularly if all the QB's in the draft bust. Yes he'll look like a fool if it doesn't work out, but if they don't win with Weeden or a newly drafted QB, he'll look bad anyway.
8. Patriots don't have to sell so they can hold out for whatever price they think worth it.
I don't think it will happen because it just sounds too good to be true but there is a bit of a coming together of circumstances that makes it at least plausible.