NFL Draft 2011: What Jake Locker Must Show During Washington's Pro Day

With the 2011 NFL draft only a month away, former Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Locker has one of his last chances to shine on March 30 at the school’s pro day.  Locker, who has worked out privately for the Vikings, Titans and Broncos, gets one more shot at improving his draft stock.

Looking at the various mock drafts out there, Locker could go in the draft anywhere from the top 15 to the second round.  This variance is easy to understand.

After an impressive junior year at Washington in which Locker threw for 2,800 yards and 21 touchdowns, many people had him pegged as the sure-fire number one pick in 2010.  As has been well documented, Locker opted to stay in college and suffered through an inconsistent senior year. Now, he has seen that stock drop.

So, what can he do on March 30 to jump back up draft boards in war rooms across the league?

It's all about accuracy.

Locker is a physical specimen.  This is something all NFL teams know without a doubt.  He is a big, strong, 6’3”, 230-pound quarterback who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash with a strong arm.

Any team that has interviewed Locker surely discovered he is a natural leader, smart and a great teammate who would be an asset to any team’s locker room.

Locker won’t improve on his value as a pure athlete or as a teammate during his pro day, as these things are already well-established.  His accuracy and in-game football instincts, however, are still in question.

Locker improved his throwing accuracy in each of his first three seasons in college.  What is alarming is that during his senior season, he regressed and ended with an unimpressive 55 percent completion rate.

That’s simply not going to cut it in The League.

He has been working this offseason with former Jets quarterback Ken O’Brien to show that he can be an accurate quarterback and is coachable.

His long, and one would assume tiring, offseason auditions have seen him look average during the Senior Bowl with a more impressive scouting combine performance.

The pro day, and his individual workouts, will give him one more chance to show an improved accuracy. 

If he comes out firing on the 30th, his stock will rise, and he will solidify himself as a first rounder.  If balls start floating or sailing, look for him to be a second-day pick.

The betting money is that he will look good, as he will be on his home turf and throwing to guys that he is familiar with. 

Locker came to Washington and instantly bore the weight of trying to resurrect a once-great program, and one would assume the pressure of the pro day will be nothing for him. 

It will, however, be harder for him to convince NFL scouts that his football instincts have improved. 

Throwing to your buddies in shorts pales in comparison to making smart decisions in the fourth quarter of an NFL game.

Locker will have to convince the league that his questionable decision making displayed during college is also coachable to stay in the first round.  

How can he do that?

Again, the answer lies in his accuracy.

By convincing scouts that he is willing to work on deficiencies, and learn from coaches to improve his accuracy, he can convince them that through film study and practice, he can hone his instincts.

Jake Locker will continue to be an interesting prospect and, after what should be a strong performance on the 30th, will make himself the third quarterback taken in the first round in April.

Other Notable Huskies To Watch

Along with Locker, the only other notable player to keep an eye on at the Washington pro day is linebacker Mason Foster.  The 240-pound inside linebacker was all Pac-10 last year and second in the nation in tackles.

Foster is a tenacious tackler and will be a starter in the NFL.  He looked great at the scouting combine and could end up being a steal in the third round.