Locker slipping to third round?
Things have gone from bad to worse for Washington quarterback Jake Locker. Sporting News Draft analyst Russ Lande tells the New York Times that Locker "hurt himself a lot this week" and that his accuracy is "terrible." He cites one coach as saying that accuracy cannot be taught or coached, and if you're not accurate you can't start in the NFL.
Adam Caplan of FOX Sports agrees, saying that Locker's release point needs adjustment, that his inconsistency is "troubling," and that it's "alarming" how poorly the ball leaves Locker's hand. He now gives Locker a third-round grade.
How much money is Locker's decision to return to Washington for his senior season going to cost him? Consider the contracts signed by Sam Bradford, the 2010 draft's top overall selection, and Colt McCoy, the first passer taken in the third round last year. Bradford's contract is worth up to $86 million, with $50 million guaranteed. McCoy's deal, meanwhile, maxes out at $5 million, with "only" $1.07 million guaranteed.
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Consensus around the league last year was that if Washington quarterback Jake Locker had declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft, he might have been the top overall selection. Instead, he returned to school, went through a mediocre senior season, and now he's not even regarded as the top quarterback available, let alone the top player.
Mel Kiper took it a step further in a conference call with Washington Redskins reporters. According to John Keim of the Washington Examiner, Kiper called Locker's senior season "subpar," then added "I'm being kind when I say subpar." He went on to say that Locker "hasn't done much at Senior Bowl practices to wow me over."
In his latest mock draft, Kiper doesn't even have Locker going in the first round. Interestingly, Kiper has Locker's hometown Seattle Seahawks taking a passer in the first, but say it will be Arkansas' Ryan Mallett. Todd McShay disagrees strongly, with Locker going to the Tennessee Titans at number 8.
- Vince Verhei
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Todd McShay
Intangibles, work ethic are assets
"This is a reach for the Titans, but with the departure of Vince Young they need to find a long-term answer under center. Locker has some accuracy issues but his intangibles and work ethic are assets."