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Big Board sees Jake Locker's return
Jake Locker had a terrible season, but his stock is climbing some among evaluators
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
It's amazing to consider where Jake Locker stood at this time last year. Having made his decision to return to Montlake for another year of development under Steve Sarkisian, he was, I believe, rightfully considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft. But those convinced 40-yard dash times, big arm strength and all the other combine measurements are too big a factor in the evaluation process need only remember Locker. His senior year was poor by most measures, with a consistent stretch of erratic play and too many missed throws. It cost him.
But since the season ended, Locker has managed to bounce back some, both in workouts that call into question what he was working with on that team and through a reinforcement that, despite a lot of bad tape, shows all the skills and intangibles seem to be there. Sure, concerns exist, but give Locker credit for eroding some doubt. It seems more clear as the draft approaches that it'll be difficult for some team not to be wooed by his potential in Round 1.
As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has 4.3 speed, safety size, good cover skills and a willingness to hit. He also offers help in the return game. Last week: No. 1
2) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: Miller can impact NFL games early in his career as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker, but he's shown coverage skills, too. Big-time athlete. Last week: No. 2
3)Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 297
Analysis: After facing some questions about his size, has had great workouts, and the pile of tape is still immense. Versatility and skills imply star potential. Last week: No. 3
4) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Dareus is a gifted penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor. Well-liked, scheme-versatile, he has impressed during draft lead-up. Last week: No. 4
5) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, good speed (4.48 in Indy). No pro day hiccups. Last week: No. 5
6) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: Perhaps draft's most gifted pass-rusher, has big upcoming pro day, with small injury concerns. Potential to go as 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Star athleticism. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor, high character. Quinn could be an early impact threat. Last week: No. 7
8) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Very good when healthy. Worked out brilliantly in Indy; ran a 4.39. Some durability concerns, but has maintained high stock all year. Last week: No. 8
9) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Has top athleticism, smarts and speed for DE position. Last week: No. 16
10) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 307
Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Continues to rise. Good frame, athleticism and quickness. Has added bulk to his frame. Last week: No. 9
11) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Good speed, safety size. Ready to start at corner. Last week: No. 10
12) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues gains. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year; in the mix for 2011. Last week: No. 11
13) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 12
14) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, good accuracy, ideal size and physical skills. An underrated athlete. Was under center at a solid but unspectacular pro day. Will go high. Last week: No. 13
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Big-time physical ability, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Enters a big phase now with individual meetings and workouts. Will face tough questions. Last week: No. 14
16) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Has shown athleticism and versatility at full 290 pounds. Great motor, good diagnostic skills. Last week: No. 15
17) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. Athletic enough with size to be versatile. Last week: No. 17
18) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork and has added needed strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker, smart player. Safe pick. Last week: No. 18
19) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 19
20) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern for me; top-end speed was never assumed. Last week: No. 20
21) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line to provide help early in NFL career. Last week: No. 21
22) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: Monster year of tapes, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork in 2010; added consistency. Excellent frame; could move along the line. Last week: No. 22
23) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue OLB 6-4 267
Analysis: Limited physical skills but elite instincts, ball-awareness and a TFL machine, even against double-teams. Will hope to shake "tweener" tag. Last week: No. 20
24) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA LB 6-4 254
Analysis: Versatile linebacker who shows good range; able to handle run, drop in coverage, with quietly solid pass-rush skills. Fits multiple systems. Last week: NR
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 229
Analysis: Rebounded some in eyes of evaluators with good workouts, interviews after combine. Arm, attitude, athleticism all there. Accuracy the question. Last week: NR
Jake Locker had a terrible season, but his stock is climbing some among evaluators
By Mel Kiper
ESPN.com
It's amazing to consider where Jake Locker stood at this time last year. Having made his decision to return to Montlake for another year of development under Steve Sarkisian, he was, I believe, rightfully considered a potential No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft. But those convinced 40-yard dash times, big arm strength and all the other combine measurements are too big a factor in the evaluation process need only remember Locker. His senior year was poor by most measures, with a consistent stretch of erratic play and too many missed throws. It cost him.
But since the season ended, Locker has managed to bounce back some, both in workouts that call into question what he was working with on that team and through a reinforcement that, despite a lot of bad tape, shows all the skills and intangibles seem to be there. Sure, concerns exist, but give Locker credit for eroding some doubt. It seems more clear as the draft approaches that it'll be difficult for some team not to be wooed by his potential in Round 1.
As always, juniors and draft-eligible sophomores are noted with an asterisk.
1) Patrick Peterson *, LSU CB 6-0 219
Analysis: An extraordinary athlete, Peterson has 4.3 speed, safety size, good cover skills and a willingness to hit. He also offers help in the return game. Last week: No. 1
2) Von Miller, Texas A&M LB 6-3 246
Analysis: Miller can impact NFL games early in his career as a pass-rushing 3-4 outside linebacker, but he's shown coverage skills, too. Big-time athlete. Last week: No. 2
3)Nick Fairley *, Auburn DT 6-4 297
Analysis: After facing some questions about his size, has had great workouts, and the pile of tape is still immense. Versatility and skills imply star potential. Last week: No. 3
4) Marcell Dareus *, Alabama DE 6-3 319
Analysis: Dareus is a gifted penetrator with pass-rush skills to burn and a good motor. Well-liked, scheme-versatile, he has impressed during draft lead-up. Last week: No. 4
5) A.J. Green *, Georgia WR 6-4 211
Analysis: Premier wideout in the draft. Good route-runner, great size and hands, good speed (4.48 in Indy). No pro day hiccups. Last week: No. 5
6) Da'Quan Bowers *, Clemson DE 6-4 277
Analysis: Perhaps draft's most gifted pass-rusher, has big upcoming pro day, with small injury concerns. Potential to go as 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. Star athleticism. Last week: No. 6
7) Robert Quinn *, North Carolina DE 6-4 265
Analysis: Great natural pass-rusher, solid athlete, serious motor, high character. Quinn could be an early impact threat. Last week: No. 7
8) Julio Jones *, Alabama WR 6-3 220
Analysis: Very good when healthy. Worked out brilliantly in Indy; ran a 4.39. Some durability concerns, but has maintained high stock all year. Last week: No. 8
9) Cameron Jordan, California DE 6-4 287
Analysis: Frame and skills capable of handling 3-4 or 4-3 DE duty. Has top athleticism, smarts and speed for DE position. Last week: No. 16
10) Tyron Smith *, USC OT 6-5 307
Analysis: A future blindside tackle. Continues to rise. Good frame, athleticism and quickness. Has added bulk to his frame. Last week: No. 9
11) Prince Amukamara, Nebraska CB 6-0 206
Analysis: Great instincts, finds the ball with good awareness and has good hands. Good speed, safety size. Ready to start at corner. Last week: No. 10
12) Muhammad Wilkerson *, Temple DT 6-4 315
Analysis: Continues gains. Scheme-flexible, disruptive, strong penetrator. Ideal 3-4 DE. Thought he could be top-10 pick next year; in the mix for 2011. Last week: No. 11
13) Corey Liuget *, Illinois DT 6-2 298
Analysis: Reads game well; strong against the run or the pass. Good leverage, disruptive, not elite pass-rusher. Solid workouts. Last week: No. 12
14) Blaine Gabbert *, Missouri QB 6-4 234
Analysis: Strong arm, good accuracy, ideal size and physical skills. An underrated athlete. Was under center at a solid but unspectacular pro day. Will go high. Last week: No. 13
15) Cam Newton *, Auburn QB 6-6 250
Analysis: Big-time physical ability, underrated mechanics and accuracy. Enters a big phase now with individual meetings and workouts. Will face tough questions. Last week: No. 14
16) J.J. Watt *, Wisconsin DE 6-5 290
Analysis: Has shown athleticism and versatility at full 290 pounds. Great motor, good diagnostic skills. Last week: No. 15
17) Aldon Smith *, Missouri OLB 6-4 263
Analysis: Ideal frame and athleticism to consider for edge in 4-3 or 3-4; still developing but loaded with upside. Athletic enough with size to be versatile. Last week: No. 17
18) Anthony Castonzo, Boston College OT 6-7 306
Analysis: Smart, reliable with solid footwork and has added needed strength and overall bulk to improve leverage. Consistent worker, smart player. Safe pick. Last week: No. 18
19) Adrian Clayborn, Iowa DE 6-3 281
Analysis: Better fit for 4-3 DE. Really good motor; batters O-linemen. Needs to refine rush skills; gets very high marks from those he's gone against. Last week: No. 19
20) Mark Ingram *, Alabama RB 5-9 215
Analysis: Great pad level, explodes from contact, a terror on second level; 40 time not a huge concern for me; top-end speed was never assumed. Last week: No. 20
21) Nate Solder, Colorado OT 6-8 319
Analysis: A physical specimen, has great length and has added bulk to his long frame. Could be moved along offensive line to provide help early in NFL career. Last week: No. 21
22) Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin OT 6-7 314
Analysis: Monster year of tapes, battling a number of high draft picks. Better footwork in 2010; added consistency. Excellent frame; could move along the line. Last week: No. 22
23) Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue OLB 6-4 267
Analysis: Limited physical skills but elite instincts, ball-awareness and a TFL machine, even against double-teams. Will hope to shake "tweener" tag. Last week: No. 20
24) Akeem Ayers *, UCLA LB 6-4 254
Analysis: Versatile linebacker who shows good range; able to handle run, drop in coverage, with quietly solid pass-rush skills. Fits multiple systems. Last week: NR
25) Jake Locker, Washington QB 6-3 229
Analysis: Rebounded some in eyes of evaluators with good workouts, interviews after combine. Arm, attitude, athleticism all there. Accuracy the question. Last week: NR