Where once Jake Locker was seen as a second round prospect, he’s now widely seen as the Washington Redskin’s top-choice at No. 10 if the latest 2011 NFL mock draft from SB Nation is to be believed. We’ve seen Locker floated as the Redskin’s possible pick recently, and the thought appears to be gaining plenty of steam. The Redskins need a quarterback and Locker fits the system of Mike Shanahan, which relies more on a mobile quarterback and less on accurate, drop-back passing.
The final 2011 NFL mock draft from SB Nation makes a firm stand, and projects Locker as the No. 10 pick. Brian Galliford and Dana Kadar know the risks associated with Locker, but feel the positives, including his character, outweigh the negatives.
10. Washington Redskins: Jake Locker, QB, Washington. This might strike many as a risky pick, but Locker’s a high-character kid that fits Mike Shanahan’s offense extremely well.
With the run on quarterbacks, and teams scrambling to find a capable signal-caller with free agency on hold, as many as six could go in the first round. For Locker, it’s welcome news, and begins to validate his decision to come back after a shaky start to the pre-draft buildup. After seeing his stock fall, Locker is back with a vengeance, and should be firmly in the top-half of the first round, if not the top-10.
For the latest on Locker and his draft stock, stay tuned to this StoryStream. Locker will find out where he’ll be headed on Thursday, April 28 as the first round gets underway in New York City.