2011 NFL Draft: Don't underestimate Minnesota's interest in Jake Locker

by Dan Kadar on Apr 11, 2011 10:00 AM EDT in 2011 NFL Draft

The Vikings' last three draft classes have shown the team is not afraid to take risks when they like a player.

The player they may like now is Washington quarterback Jake Locker. According to Tom Pelissero of ESPN Twin Cities (1500-AM), that is the notion around the league.

Minnesota is desperate for a quarterback following the retirement of Brett Favre and the pending free agency of backup Tarvaris Jackson.

Although Locker's game tape tells a different story, NFL personnel men tell Pelissero that the Huskies quarterback has improved this offseason. Locker has been working with former Jets quarterback Ken O'Brien as he prepares for the NFL.

The Vikings had Locker in for a private workout on March 15. Trading back for Locker may be an option, but there are several teams before them – namely Tennessee and Washington – that could grab him.

Some of Pelissero's column compares Locker to Favre. Fun fact: Locker completed 53.9 percent of his passes in college with 53 touchdowns and 35 interceptions. Favre completed 52.4 percent of passes at Southern Mississippi with 52 touchdowns and 34 interceptions.

Read Pelissero's full column here.

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Frazier going all Spy Hunter on the league

Smokescreen!

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 11, 2011 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

Vikes should trade up to #7.

Kellen Moore is awesome
Katie Mcgrath is our savior
my dog <3

by manraj7 on Apr 11, 2011 11:17 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

And draft whom?

At what cost?

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 11, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Presumably not Patrick Peterson.

Head of catering.

by jacobstevens on Apr 11, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

does this

belief around the league that Minnesota wants Locker indirectly state that the belief around the league is that both Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will be gone by the 12th pick?

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Apr 11, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

I'd be surprised if Locker made it out of the 1st

Not because he’s perfect or an amazing specimen or destined to become a great QB, but simply because he’s got the physical tools and the intangibles and some coach (or 2 or 3) is going to think he can mold the perfect QB out of him. He’s raw and a project (and may never be an above-average QB) but it only takes one team to draft him “too high”.

I think the Redskins, Titans or Minnesota are all probable landing spots for him.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Apr 11, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Peliserro's article is suggesting 12 not 43

He is implying that the brain trust at Winter Park is thinking Locker first round at 12 in order to make sure they have their guy. As a Packer fan I have mixed feelings about this…..

Locker seems like a tough competitor so he might pan out. On the other hand low accuracy and seems to have a bit of a Brian Brohm smell to him (coming out a year later after everyone thinking he was going to be a number one over all pick….being so “pro-ready” so on and so forth).

by PackApologist on Apr 11, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I really liked Brohm in college

But he is no where near the athlete that Locker is. If anything, Brohm is more like Mallet in terms of their ability. They even shared the same system and coach.

Brohm completed 65% of his passes and scored a 32 on his wonderlic. The only similarity between Brohm and Locker is that they both stayed in school for their senior years.

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it."

by NMVike on Apr 11, 2011 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep, I'm agreeing with the premise

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Apr 11, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

But

If Steve Sarkiaian, an ex-NFL QB coach with the Raiders and other former NFL types, can’t help Locker improve his accurracy on the collegiate level can he be accurate in the NFL?

by Ravens One on Apr 11, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions