2011 NFL Draft: Why Jake Locker Has a Worse NFL Future Than Cam Newton

This time last year Jake Locker was fresh off shocking the sports world by turning down the possibility of becoming the first overall selection in the NFL draft in favor of returning to school for his Senior season.

At the same time no one really cared that Cam Newton was preparing to play at Auburn, let alone wonder about his NFL potential.

Well that was then and this is now. Jake Locker's stock has fallen and Cam Newton's has soared. They are two of the most talked about names heading into the draft.

In case you are wondering which QB should go first let me just tell you it is Newton. Slide on to see why.

No. 10: Winning Percentage

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates their 22-19 victory after defeating the Oregon Ducks in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale,

QBs get too much credit when there teams when and too much when they lose, but that is for a good reason: they play a bigger factor in the outcomes than any other player on the field.

While you aren't going to find anyone arguing that Locker was working with comparable talent as Cam Newton the difference in winning percentage is striking.

Last season Newton rolled through an undefeated year while Locker just managed to pull above .500 at 7-6.

And that was Locker's best winning percentage of his college career.

No. 9: Cam's Workout

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SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: 2010 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton of Auburn throws the ball during his workout routine for the media at Cathedral High School's sports stadium on February 10, 2011 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horn

Cam Newton recently went a long way to quieting many of the question marks surrounding his ability to adapt to the pro game.

He has been working out since the end of the season, and he recently invited 50 members of the media to attend 45 minutes of one of his practices.

He left most onlookers grasping for superlatives. Here is Trent Dilfer's assessment, "This is a gifted, gifted passer."

Newton was putting on display the kind of skills his college spread option offense did not call for. The ability to quickly pick up the mechanics on things like his footwork from under center is a great sign.

No. 8: Jake's Regression

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies runs the ball during game against the California Bears on December 5, 2009 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Bears 42-10. (Photo by Otto Greule J

One of the reasons Jake Locker was speculated to be the top prospect in for the 2010 draft was the fact that his number really jumped in his first year in Steve Sarkisian's pro style offense.

Locker not only failed to improve on those numbers, but he actually regressed. His numbers were down across the board and reflected in the fact that his quarterback rating fell five points.

Not a good trend for someone whose game will have to take the next step in the NFL.

No. 7: Running to Glory

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers runs down field against John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Both Cam Newton and Jake Locker are excellent running with the football. They both have roots in run first offensive systems and there is no doubt that they have the goods to be two of the better rushing QBs on the pro stage.

Newton, however, has the edge in rushing numbers and ability. Newton is coming off a season where he rushed for 1473 yards on 5.6 yards per carry.

No. 6: Reading Defenses

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SEATTLE - OCTOBER 30: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies passes against the Stanford Cardinal on October 30, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

One of the big knocks against the spread option in preparing college QBs for the NFL game is that it does not require them to go through their progressions.

In this regard there is little to go on with Cam Newton. Locker on the other hand has struggled with this in his pro style Husky offense, and then again at the Senior Bowl.

Scouts were underwhelmed with Loker's ability to diagnose the strictly single deep safety sets he saw in practices during the workouts for the Senior Bowl.

No. 5: Two Sport Stud

Locker is an outstanding centerfielder with five-tool potential. The Angels drafted him in the 10th round of the 2009 draft and gave him $300,000 despite knowing he has likely going to the NFL.

If the 2011 lockout persists Locker could spend significant time training with the Angels. This opens up a world of possibilities.

There is a chance he may get baseball fever and decide to pursue baseball right then. Locker may try to pursue both sports, which would likely limit his NFL potential.

There is also the strong possibility if Locker struggles initially in the NFL that he switches to baseball.

No. 4: Battle Tested

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Both Newton and Locker are 1-0 in Bowl games. However, Newton's Bowl game was the National Championship game.

While Locker had a solid playoff like run to the end of the 2010 season to get his Huskies to the Holiday Bowl, it pales in comparison to the run Auburn went on to claim the National Championship.

Newton was thrown into the hottest fires the NCAA had to offer, and he came out a champion.

No. 3: Size Matters

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers runs down field against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jonathan F

Jake Locker is listed a 6'2" and 226 pounds. There is also mummers that the 6'2" may be a bit generous. 

While this is decent NFL size it is nowhere near Cam Newton's 6'6" and 250 pounds. Newton is a beast. He will be as big as the defensive ends trying to sack him.

No. 2: Injuries

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 6: Injured quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies watches the action from the bench in the third quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 6, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the g

Jake Locker struggled through injuries throughout his college career. There is no denying his toughness.

In fact his toughness is largely accountable for the injuries. Let's just say Locker is not a big fan of the QB slide. The punishment and exposure to injuries is only going to increase in the NFL.

Playing at less than 100 percent, or missing time altogether, is a surefire way to derail a young NFL career.

No. 1: Accuracy

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers throws the ball in the third quarter against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendal

Cam Newton finished the 2010 season with a 66.1 completion percentage.

Jake Locker failed to ever break 60 percent mark for a season.

Newton was not asked to make a lot of the throws he will have to in the NFL. However, he did display that he has the ability to put the ball consistently where his receivers can catch it.

Locker's accuracy is the biggest question mark hanging over his head. He is often high on shorter throws and too far on longer throws.

For my money, accuracy is the single most underrated tool for QBs.