TSN 2011 Mock Draft (with Redskins picking 9th overall): Jake Locker

[Skadden]

2011 Mock Draft Last updated 12/21/2010

KEY » * MOCK DRAFT: ROUND 1 PICK TEAM PLAYER POS SCHOOL

1 (1) Panthers Andrew Luck* QB Stanford The Panthers' new coach is going to want an elite quarterback and Jimmy Clausen is not that guy, so Carolina grabs Luck to lead the rebuilding effort and immediately re-energize the offense.

2 (2) Broncos Da'Quan Bowers* DE Clemson With a new coach and a new G.M., the Broncos have a chance to make an immediate splash. They take Bowers�o an elite pass-rush prospect who fits in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

3 (3) Bengals Anthony Castonzo T Boston Coll. The Bengals look like they missed on 2009 first-rounder Andre Smith and need help up front. Castonzo has the size, technique and athleticism to start as a rookie.

4 (4) Cardinals Von Miller OLB Tex. A&M The Cardinals have struggled to consistently pressure the quarterback, and Miller has the tools to be a special pass rusher in their 3-4 scheme.

5 (5) Lions Patrick Peterson* CB LSU The Lions' secondary has been a big weakness in 2010, and Peterson brings the size, athleticism and playmaking ability it desperately needs.

6 (6) Bills Nick Fairley* DT Auburn The Bills started 2010 in a 3-4 and then switched back to the 4-3. Fairley is an explosive, powerful lineman who has the tools to be elite in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

7 (7) 49ers Adrian Clayborn DE Iowa The 49ers need help up front to become a top-level 3-4 defense, and Clayborn has the ability to start at end as a rookie and the versatility to play all along the line.

8 (8) Cowboys Derek Sherrod T Miss. St. The Cowboys' line lacks athleticism, which has led to too many hits for Tony Romo sits to pee. The chance to get the super-athletic Sherrod makes too much sense.

9 (9) Redskins Jake Locker QB Wash. Locker is not a consistent passer, but Mike Shanahan has always drafted based on a player's potential and Locker has loads of that.

10 (10) Texans A.J. Green* WR Georgia Green would be the perfect receiver to play opposite Andre Johnson and enable QB Matt Schaub to take the next step in his career.

11 (11) Vikings Stephen Paea DT Oregon St. There aren't any quarterbacks available worth taking this high, so the Vikings decide to draft the eventual replacement for Pat Williams, 38.

12 (12) Browns Robert Quinn* OLB N. Carolina No matter what happens with coach Eric Mangini, the Browns need to greatly improve their pass rush. Quinn could do that as an end in a 4-3 scheme -- or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 if the Browns keep their current scheme.

13 (13) Seahawks Ryan Williams* RB Va. Tech The Seahawks' offense needs a jolt, and Williams provides the explosiveness, elusiveness and big-play ability it badly needs.

14 (14) Titans Julio Jones* WR Alabama For the Titans' offense to improve, it needs more offensive weapons. Jones would be an excellent choice to play opposite Kenny Britt and give Tennessee two big-play receiving weapons.

15 (15) Patriots Cameron Jordan DE Cal (from Oakland) The Patriots' D-line is getting older and needs an infusion of young talent. Jordan is a great fit because he can move all over the line and enhance the team's various schemes.

16 (16) Dolphins Nate Solder T Colorado The Dolphins love LT Jake Long, but the line needs to be upgraded elsewhere. Solder is an elite athlete who has potential to be a special tackle with good coaching.

17 (17) Chargers Michael Floyd* WR Notre Dame Vincent Jackson isn't likely to return, so the Chargers will need a big wideout to replace him. Floyd brings the size, athleticism and receiving skills to step right in.

18 (18) Jaguars Jimmy Smith CB Colorado The Jags have been trying to make an upgrade at cornerback in recent seasons, and Smith has the combination of great size, elite athleticism and top-end speed to make NFL teams drool.

19 (19) Buccaneers Jabaal Sheard DE Pitt Though the Bucs are set at defensive tackle for the future, they badly need a high-level end. Sheard has the talent to make an immediate impact as a pass rusher.

20 (20) Packers Prince Amukamara CB Nebraska Charles Woodson is getting older and Tramon Williams is the Packers' only other quality corner, so they jump at the chance to grab Amukamara. Before the season, many expected him to be a top-five pick.

21 (21) Rams Leonard Hankerson WR Miami (FL) For QB Sam Bradford to continue his development, the Rams need to get him some weapons. Hankerson has the talent to make an impact as a rookie.

22 (22) Colts Stefen Wisniewski C Penn State The Colts' line has been a real issue in 2010, and Wisniewski has the tools to start at center or guard as a rookie and upgrade the line immediately.

23 (23) Chiefs Ryan Kerrigan DE Purdue The Chiefs' defense has improved tremendously in 2010, and Kerrigan adds a versatile piece whose competitiveness and athleticism would allow him to start and be productive as a rookie.

24 (24) Giants Kyle Rudolph* TE Notre Dame Kevin Boss is a solid, dependable player, but the Giants want an elite weapon at tight end. Rudolph has the talent to be an impact receiver if he comes back at 100 percent following hamstring surgery.

25 (25) Saints Mark Ingram* RB Alabama Saints RB Pierre Thomas has had injury issues, and Ingram has the toughness, instincts and excellent running skills to be the strong inside threat New Orleans wants. He also is a good receiver out of the backfield.

26 (26) Bears Drake Nevis DT LSU Tommie Harris' knee issues have prevented him from being an elite player in recent seasons, and Nevis has the quickness, athleticism and strength to be an interior force.

27 (27) Eagles Greg Jones ILB Michigan St. The Eagles want to add speed to their front seven, and Jones has the instincts, athleticism and competivieness to make an impact as a rookie.

28 (28) Jets Jerrel Jernigan WR Troy With Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards due to be free agents, the Jets won't be able to keep both. So they grab Jernigan, who could make an immediate impact as a returner and receiver.

29 (29) Ravens Bruce Carter OLB N. Carolina Carter was expected to be selected in the top 10 or 12 picks before his knee injury. Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome has shown a willingness to gamble on players coming off injuries.

30 (30) Steelers Jarvis Jenkins DT Clemson The Steelers have a very good nose tackle in Casey Hampton, but he is 33. Jenkins has the talent to become a starter and could learn from one of the best while he develops.

31 (31) Falcons Jeremy Beal DE Oklahoma John Abraham remains a pass-rushing force for the Falcons, but he's 32. Beal is a strong, athletic pass rusher who should be able to contribute as a rookie while developing behind Abraham.

32 (32) Patriots DeMarco Murray RB Oklahoma The Patriots got rid of Laurence Maroney and need a back to groom for the future. Murray has the receiving skills to be a valuable asset in New England's offense early in his career.

[MWCREDSKINS]

I'd like Locker but would be mad if we passed AJ Green to get him but I doubt Green is there anyway. Locker will be around 10 to 15 though

[santana_4_prez]

A little out-dated...as of right now we have around pick 14.

[mcgraw238]

Interesting names at the top of this mock. I'm not sure Locker is a guy that Shanny will turn to as his franchise guy. Also, this team has a ton of needs but I would have a tough time passing on AJ Green. Green is a guy who could easily be a top three guy.

[PortisBetts]

pretty bad. Aj green is top 5, and i doubt Houston pulls a Matt millen and goes receiver when it already has an elite one.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Works for me. Been a fan of Locker since last year noticing him when I took an interest in the college game following the Sooner we sadly never landed.

I'm pretty certain Shanahan's gona' try snag his "Elway" one way or another this draft with the first pick, and with little chance of Luck, Locker's stock falling could be a real nice bonus. Here's to him following it up with a top center in round two and getting the two learning from the get go whilst we rebuild would go a LONG way toward future success.

Hail.

[Skadden]

Lindsay Czarniak was talking about drafting Cam Newton out of Auburn. Yes, another Auburn QB, but this time we won't give up the house to get him and he does look better than the other we had. How do Locker and Newton compute on ASF's boom-or-bust chart?

[Chump Bailey]

I don't see how we get Locker at all. If he's the 2nd best QB in this entire draft by a good margin, how do the 49ers, Bills and Cardinals pass on him? The Lions and Cowboys are the only 'for certain' teams that won't be drafting a QB in that round.

[Skadden]

Also, kind of sad we're already so interested in the draft, huh?

[MWCREDSKINS]

Locker's stock has slipped but obviously he has potential and who knows I seem to remember a certain Number 12 in New England being dubbed "an underachiever" in college.

[VetMinimum+Incentives]

First we won't pick 9th more likely somewhere in the early to mid teens.

Second if we move down from that spot, given the success of Bradford, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cardinals, Bills, 49ers, Seahawks and Dolphins all consider drafting a quarterback before we pick. If Marvin Lewis gets fired and the new coach wants a fresh start you can add the Bengals to that group. So the best may be well gone at the position if we don't trade up.

As far as Locker is concerned I think whoever takes him is gambling on his athletic ability. He's a boom or bust player and not ideally suited to Kyle's scheme but his upside is Elwayesque.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Also, kind of sad we're already so interested in the draft, huh?

That's how we've rolled for the past two decades.

Here's to that changing going forward.

Hail.

[Highway66]

where is Cam NEWTON

[Soup]

I want locker but not with the 9th pick overall.

The only QB worth a 1st round value is Luck. I hope something happens that makes locker slide allllll the way to the second round but that is a pipe dream.

Besides Aj green and Quinn are still on the board. I'd rather the redskins take one of those than locker at 9

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I want locker but not with the 9th pick overall.

The only QB worth a 1st round value is Luck. I hope something happens that makes locker slide allllll the way to the second round but that is a pipe dream.

Besides Aj green and Quinn are still on the board. I'd rather the redskins take one of those than locker at 9

Hypothetically speaking, as regards this thread, if Locker was to be on the board when we pick, and Shanahan believes him to be his franchise QB, you take him, no questions asked. Green would be real nice, but a potential franchise QB outweighs potential stud wide out any day of the week IMHO.

Hail.

[Riggo#44]

Also, kind of sad we're already so interested in the draft, huh?

Well, it's a step up from sucking AND not caring about the draft b/c we have no picks in the 1st three rounds again

[Soup]

Hypothetically speaking, as regards this thread, if Locker was to be on the board when we pick, and Shanahan believes him to be his franchise QB, you take him, no questions asked. Green would be real nice, but a potential franchise QB outweighs potential stud wide out any day of the week IMHO.

Hail.

than I'd ask why shouldn't the redskins trade up for Luck? I like locker but if they were going to pick a QB at the 9th spot, I'd rather them take the risk with Luck.

Personally, I take locker too but he's a project and maybe the skins will luck out and he slips to the second round. A lot of people had Jimmy Clausen and McCoy ranked high on draft boards last season.

[Thinking Skins]

I would love it if we can get Locker. He reminds me of Bradford....not in skillset because I'm not good at analyzing college players, but moreso in terms of storyline. I remember how Bradford was supposed to be such a high pick had he come out in 2009, but he stayed in and got hurt and then people were worried about drafting him in 2010. Now he's a rookie about to win the NFC West and looking like the Rams made the right decision in drafting him. Now, I know Locker didn't get hurt, but if he'd have come out last year he'd probably have been a top tier pick (maybe to us), but instead he goes back and has a bad year and has probably dropped. I think Luck, Mallet, and Locker are all guys I'm pretty comfortable with right now, although Luck and Locker moreso than Mallet just because I've heard more about them than Mallet.

---------- Post added December-28th-2010 at 02:18 PM ----------

than I'd ask why shouldn't the redskins trade up for Luck? I like locker but if they were going to pick a QB at the 9th spot, I'd rather them take the risk with Luck.

Personally, I take locker too but he's a project and maybe the skins will luck out and he slips to the second round. A lot of people had Jimmy Clausen and McCoy ranked high on draft boards last season.

It depends on how much Luck would cost. If Luck's all you want, then you can pull a Mike Ditka and trade all your picks for him and then thats one thing, but if you have Luck and Locker relatively close to one another in your scouting reports, or say a player at another position close by (Green), then you weigh your options. Plus its also about realizing that we don't have just one need. Securing a franchise QB is a very important step, but the more picks we have the more we can invest in rebuilding this team. So ideally we'd like to have an elite QB drop to us and we can pick them (the way Pitt did when they drafted Ben Rothlesburger when Eli and Rivers were both coming out (and we passed on him too).

[Crazy Levi]

So we are just going to pretend that the line still doesn't stink?

The Skins still need to draft some Olinemen, far more important than another flavor of the week QB pick.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

than I'd ask why shouldn't the redskins trade up for Luck? I like locker but if they were going to pick a QB at the 9th spot, I'd rather them take the risk with Luck.

Personally, I take locker too but he's a project and maybe the skins will luck out and he slips to the second round. A lot of people had Jimmy Clausen and McCoy ranked high on draft boards last season.

The problem with Luck, as we found out last year in trying to snag Bradford, is the compensation being demanded is too big a price to stomach. Even more so when you've both the holes we have to fill, over the next few drafts; and the fact everybody knows we're desperate to acquire our own "franchise" QB.

Luck appears to have serious pro potential, but we neither have, nor can we afford, the serious ammo to sway the Panthers.

Hail.

[Riggo#44]

So we are just going to pretend that the line still doesn't stink?

The Skins still need to draft some Olinemen, far more important than another flavor of the week QB pick.

You know we have more than one pick right?

Not to mention we need improvements on the interior of the line, none of which carry a 1st round grade, certainly not in the top of the 1st half...

[TD_washingtonredskins]

You know we have more than one pick right?

Not to mention we need improvements on the interior of the line, none of which carry a 1st round grade, certainly not in the top of the 1st half...

I never understood that argument...thank you!!

We have 6 or 7 draft picks and a projected $40M in cap space in a stocked FA class...so naturally if we pick ANYTHING but OL with one of our draft picks we're "neglecting" our biggest weakness. Ridiculous.

[illone]

No way!

Hope Fairley drops and the Skins can nab him.

Also, recent reports have Luck staying in school another year to finish his degree. Wouldnt shock me if that happened.

[Crazy Levi]

You know we have more than one pick right?

Not to mention we need improvements on the interior of the line, none of which carry a 1st round grade, certainly not in the top of the 1st half...

We do? Forgive me...I guess it only SEEMS like the Skins have one pick.

Regardless of how many we have (maybe it's three this time?), Oline is far more important than QB. I'd trade down if possible (easier said than done I know) rather than chase the QB of our dreams. We can get him next year.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

So we are just going to pretend that the line still doesn't stink?

The Skins still need to draft some Olinemen, far more important than another flavor of the week QB pick.

Yes and no.

Yes, I'm totally with you that we need to go line heavy, BOTH sides of the ball the next few drafts.

No, in so far as if the HC believes his guy is there to be his franchise QB for the next decade and more, you take him in a heartbeat. All hypothetical, but with a strong free agency class, our book end LT taken last year, and Brown coming on stronger as this years gone on; if we were to take a QB in the first, add say a top center prospect in the 2nd, and pick up talent for the interior in either FA, or later rounds (and who knows what extra picks we may have from off-loading the deadwood); well, I'd be very happy with that scenario.

Hail.