Draft Stock : Jake Locker

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Draft Stock : Jake Locker

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Draft Stock : Jake Locker

January 28th 2011 00:01

: Top Ten or Bust...

But if I had to pick where he'll fall - I'd honestly say he doesn't get by Tennessee at #8.

Almost exactly one year ago, Jake Locker was the consensus #1 NFL pick. And almost exactly one year ago, Jake Locker passed it up and stayed at the University of Washington for his senior season.

Open for debate are his reasons for doing so: Was he not ready? Did he want to make good on a promise to get UW to a bowl game? Did he want a degree? Who knows/cares. In fact, if you set the over/under at 500 for how many times between now and draft day he'll be asked why he stayed - I'd bet the farm on the over. Fact is this: he stayed. End of story.

Whatever his reason for staying truly was - it's of no matter now. He's entering in the NFL draft. So where does he stand?

Clearly, his senior season was a bit of a letdown in terms of "progressing". We can sit here and argue all day about how much that effected his draft stock - and in my opinion - it only slightly effected it. Is he the clear cut #1 that he was last year at this time? No, I'm not an idiot, I'm not saying that. But what I am saying is I can't 100% rule it out either.

Out of the current teams that pick in the top 10 come April - I can only talk myself into ruling out Cleveland as one that I couldn't see taking Jake Locker. Dallas is about as close as I can come to ruling out another top 10 team, but honestly, Tony Romo can't have much rope left under Jerry Jones - especially after the giagantic letdown of this year. Don't tell me Carolina is sold on Clausen. Denver is far from settled with a new regime. Buffalo, Arizona, San Francisco, Tennessee, Washington - uh, yeah. The Bengals have a fight on their hands with Palmer, so that's open too. I'm not even going to take into account the QB needy teams (Jax/Mia/Sea/Min) with a few extra picks in the later rounds that I can see moving up to grab him.

What about his competition? Blaine Gabbert? Cam Newton? Ryan Mallett? In my opinion, Jake is far and above any of those guys. Gabbert is from a spread offense (since high school) - that's proven to be a tough transition in the NFL. Cam Newton is just about as over-rated as they come. Throw in the built-in, self-inflicted drama, and well... I just don't see it. Ryan Mallett's footwork and Frankenstein-like pocket presence don't leave much to be desired.

Of course, I'm sitting here writing this post. So my opinion and knowledge don't count for much. Again, I'm not saying he doesn't go #1 overall - because I still think he's got enough going for him to have a team fall in love with his potential. But if I had to pick where he'll fall - I'd honestly say he doesn't get by Tennessee at #8. Especially if a team in front of them makes a stretch and grabs a guy like Gabbert.

So what are your thoughts? I'm open for some intelligent debate (sorry Steve, that rules you out). Am I a UW homer? Or am I offering a fair opinion on his draft stock?

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January 28th 2011 02:38

Seriously though, go to www.thenewstribune.com and just click on "sports." Let me know what the headline says. I bet it doesn't say he's been very, very impressive.

Comment by Winless In Seattle

January 28th 2011 02:55

UnSportsman

Your genius reveals your proximity to WSU.

Comment by Elliott Smith

January 28th 2011 04:43

Who was WSU's QB this year? I kept trying to read his jersey, but his back was constantly on the ground and I never got a good look.

Comment by Steve Sauro

January 28th 2011 05:01

Elliot, WSU's QB was the one with the higher completion rate out of the two. But hey, at least Locker can run with the football huh?

Comment by Steve Sauro

January 28th 2011 05:02

UW fans trying to convince themselves and everyone else that Locker is an accurate, good QB. Now that's some genius there. Not.

Comment by Steve Sauro

January 28th 2011 05:07

Jesse, your touting of Locker for the last two years reveals your proximity to his bedroom.

Comment by Joe Soriano

January 28th 2011 06:56

Pro Sports Wrap
Orble Sport Blog

Blaine Gabbert is a good prospect who is level, if not better than Locker. However, I don't get why Locker fell so hard. His receivers dropped so many passes this year. His most talented guy dropped the highest percentage of his targeted passes. I think that Locker can push himself past Gabbert, but none of these QBs are worth a top 5 pick. They are most likely worth a top 10 pick though. Locker is far and away better than Mallett and Newton. I am not sold on either of those guys. As for the Panthers, I want them to re-sign Matt Moore and give him a real chance. He wasn't healthy last year. Did you know that Moore was one of the top QBs in the league in terms of throwing the ball deep? Clausen was one of the worst. Moore is the guy to watch, not Clausen.

Comment by Steve Sauro

January 28th 2011 07:22

Overall, the draft this year is very very weak at the QB position. I think a lot of teams would be better served to pick some of the top defensive linemen/backs and o-linemen in the first round rather than take any of these QB's too high. On a Seahawks spin on it, I think that they should see what they can do to get Titus Young (but not in the first round). Him playing opposite of BMW would be excellent, with Golden Tate/Stokely playing in the slot. I think the Hawks should go defense in the first round for sure.