The Jake Locker Effect
By Editorial Staff
The Jake Locker Effect
I have spent the last couple of days getting prepared to focus on the 2011 draft. When we look towards next year the top name is Washington’s Jake Locker. Locker is a 6-2 235lbs quarterback that possesses all the physical attributes needed to be great. While playing at Washington Locker has an overall record of 9-29 while passing for 5,347 yards and 36 touchdowns. Locker is not only a passing threat he has also rushed for 1,554 yards over his career. Over this past season Locker has continued his development and was considered one of the top draft prospects in the 2010 draft. However, Locker decided to return to college and continue his development. So what would have happened if Locker stayed in this year’s draft?
Had Locker remained in the 2010 NFL draft he would have had a great affect on the NFL offseason. First Locker would have challenged Sam Bradford for the #1 overall pick. The Rams would have had a really tough decision to make because they would have had to choose between two potential franchise quarterbacks. This choice would have left Ram fans with an uneasy feeling. Did we make the right choice? The two quarterbacks would have been compared throughout their career and the Rams would have either been praised or criticized. I feel that St. Louis would not have been able to overlook the physical tools that Locker brought to the table and he would have been their choice at #1. This selection would have lead to a direct impact on the field for the Rams. It is no secret that while Locker has great ability he would have needed time to learn and develop. Sam Bradford is widely believed to be pro ready and able to step in and start from day 1. While all quarterbacks need time Locker would have benefited from time learning on the bench.
Locker’s decision would have had an effect on other teams too. It is my belief that the Washington Redskins would not have traded for Donavan McNabb. With Locker in the draft they would have all but guaranteed themselves one of the two top quarterbacks. Maybe the Redskins would have even traded up to the #1 pick to acquire Jake Locker. Whether the Redskins traded up or stood pat and selected a quarterback they would have been in a different situation this season. Without the acquisition of McNabb the Redskins would have been considered rebuilding and definitely not in the playoff talk.
So the Redskins didn’t acquire McNabb but the Oakland Raiders did! The Raiders get McNabb for a 2nd round pick and McNabb now has Raider fans talking playoffs. The acquisition of McNabb forces the Raiders to select an offensive linemen rather than Rolando McClain.
Now of course none of this happened and Locker is still in college, Bradford is with the Rams, and McNabb is with the Redskins. However, I strongly feel that had Locker entered the 2010 Draft we would have seen the above trickledown effect. What do you think?