NFL Combine 2011: 10 Ways Jake Locker Can Secure a 1st Round Selection
Jake Locker was a surefire first-round draft selection last season. His stock could not have been higher.
Instead of declaring for the draft, however, Locker decided he would stay at Washington to finish his college career.
As far as the NFL goes, bad move Jakey-poo.
Locker is now fighting three other quarterbacks, Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Mallett, for the No. 1 quarterback spot in this 2011 draft class.
At Washington, Locker threw for 7,639 yards, 53 touchdowns, 35 interceptions and rushed for 29 touchdowns in 40 career games.
Locker is also fighting doubters who believe he now isn’t even a surefire first-round pick in this class after his poor Senior Bowl performance.
Locker did look good in the College Football All-Star Skills Challenge.
The next most important event in Locker’s life is the NFL Scouting Combine.
The combine is where Locker and a host of other top prospects will be able to show their immense physical gifts or their lack of physical gifts, depending on if you’re a glass half-full or glass half-empty type of person.
Here are the 10 things Jake Locker must wow us with at the NFL Scouting Combine to secure a first-round selection.
For if he fails, doomsday could be on the horizon.
10. Throw Out of the Pocket
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Jake Locker is a pocket passer.
He’ll never be mistaken for a quarterback who’s going to throw on the run.
As long as Locker has a great offensive line in front of him, he shouldn’t be flushed from the pocket too often.
Still, this is a big concern for scouts.
Locker will definitely be flushed from the pocket.
If he can’t throw on the run, what is he going to do?
He’s going to try to make a run for that first down and gain as many positive yards as he can.
What does that mean?
That means Locker will be vulnerable to big hits from bruising linebackers and speedy defensive backs.
Even if you had Michael Vick or Ben Roethlisberger as your quarterback, you fear every time your quarterback leaves the pocket that he is about to take a beating.
9. Toughness
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We ended the last slide talking about toughness and here we are.
This is going to be tougher to show at the combine, but it's something that Locker needs to highlight while talking to NFL know-it-alls.
Locker has a history of injuries and he’s going to get hit in the NFL, that’s a given.
Locker can take a hit, though, make no mistake about that.
And that shows a lot. More important than proving something to scouts, it proves something to his teammates.
Locker’s toughness displays his great leadership qualities.
Locker will be a respected leader for whichever team picks him up.
He’s willing to stand in the pocket (since he can’t throw out of it) and take a hit in order to find an open receiver.
8. Field Vision
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Speaking of open receivers, that’s what it’s all about in the NFL. Knowing where your receivers are going to be and letting that rock loose before they get there is huge in the NFL.
That anticipation and chemistry is what separates the greats from the average. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees can make scrub players and walk-on backups look like superstars. It’s not just the accuracy when it comes to those two. It’s the fact that their field vision is impeccable.
Locker needs to show that he can find and anticipate where a receiver is going to be. He has the smarts to do it, he just has to put it on display.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not comparing Locker to Brees or Manning by any means.
This is just what must be done to secure a first-round selection for our favorite Locker.
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7. Strength
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Here’s where Locker can once again highlight a strength of his, by showing that he is not just a man, but a strong man.
You remember those biceps of Brady Quinn?
Yeah, well, Locker doesn’t exactly have ‘em. But that doesn’t mean he can’t throw some weight up on the bench and exceed our expectations.
I’ll tell ya what.
If Locker can bang out some solid reps, he’ll make scouts believe even more that he’s going to be able to come back fine from the punishment he will endure in the NFL.
6. Speed
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Locker is a fantastic athlete. I think everyone will admit that.
For a quarterback, he has great speed. No, not Michael Vick or even Matt Jones-type speed, but the kid can run.
Since Locker has some glaring holes in his game, this is big.
Especially since he may be running for his life if he's drafted to the wrong team!
5. Agility
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Speed kills. Locker doesn’t have Michael Vick-like speed, (or agility) but this type of quickness is different.
Locker has very good agility, which helps him maneuver around the pocket to avoid blitzers and would-be sack artists.
Highlight your strengths, Locker, highlight your strengths.
Locker needs to put his agility on display.
Show that fancy ballroom footwork and make scouts believe that your pocket awareness is going to be top notch because of your agility and quickness.
4. Wonderlic
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Nobody can knock Locker in this category.
He is one of the brightest quarterbacks in this year’s draft class.
At the end of the day, every team wants an intelligent quarterback who will make smart decisions.
The Wonderlic is a silly test, in my opinion, but NFL scouts do take this into account.
Locker has scored well on the Wonderlic in the past and now, with more experience, should do much better.
Locker has the intangibles, which NFL scouts will surely be looking for heading into April’s draft.
Perhaps even more important, Locker has shown great leadership qualities at Washington.
3. Throwing Strength
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You know the old saying: "Emphasize your strengths and hide your weaknesses."
Well, this it for Locker.
Locker’s accuracy is his biggest fault.
Yet, he has great arm strength.
Locker needs to put his arm strength to great use and really wow NFL scouts.
There’s a team out there—hello, Al Davis—that loves strong arm quarterbacks.
Show that cannon arm all day and Locker may just have enough rocket power to fuel his way to a first-round lock.
2. Throwing Accurately Deep
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Locker has a big arm, but that means nothing if he can’t hit his receivers down the field. Right JaMarcus Russell?
I mean, I guess Al Davis could trade up to the first round to draft Locker as long as he has a big arm… right!?
Arm strength means zilch if you aren’t dropping the ball into your receiver's hands. Make them run and go get it all you want, but there’s more to it than just that.
Locker’s biggest knock has been his accuracy.
Gotta show it, Jake.
1. Throwing Accuracy
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There have been debates regarding Locker’s accuracy.
Many will claim he isn’t an accurate quarterback.
He’s never completed over 58.4 percent of his passes in any given season at Washington. He’s a career 53.7 percent passer.
Personally, above all else, I want an accurate quarterback behind center.
But here’s where the fun part kicks in.
Others will claim that Locker’s yards and accuracy numbers were down because his receivers let him down. Even his best receivers had a case of dropsitis.
So what can Locker do to nip this debate in the bud?
Tight spirals on point to the target.
"Wait, you mean that’s it Brandon?"
That’s all he has to do.
Sure, it’s not rocket science.
But either the kid can do it or he can’t.
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