You knew it had to happen sometime. This week, Jake Locker is the flavor of the day for the Seattle Seahawks, just a week after Mel Kiper said his sources were telling him the Seahawks preferred Ryan Mallett to Locker in the 2011 NFL Draft. In today’s newest NFL mock draft, Locker is the pick for the Seahawks, heading to Seattle with the 25th pick in the draft.
With Locker at No. 25, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett exits the first round. SB Nation is projecting only three quarterbacks taken in the first 32 picks — Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Locker. Gabbert is first off the board, as expected, heading to Tennessee with the eighth pick.
The reasons for the Seahawks to pick Locker are simple. The Seahawks need a quarterback of the future and Locker could be that answer, according to SB Nation. With Hasselbeck likely back in a Seahawks uniform next year, Locker would have time to develop without the pressure of taking the reins right away.
Pete Carroll has made it very clear that Matt Hasselbeck will be his starting quarterback heading into the 2011 season. Locker is a highly talented, local prospect that the team can groom behind Hasselbeck as its long-term starter.
While that’s the pick for this week, there’s a good chance Locker’s draft stock soars beyond the Seahawks reach. In the 2011 Senior Bowl, he’ll have a chance to impress this weekend, going through the rigor of NFL-style practices ahead of the game.
For all the analysis and picks, check out SB nation’s 2011 NFL mock draft.
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