Did the NFL Lockout Help the 2011 Rookie QB Class?

Friday morning on ESPN’s Mike and Mike, NFL analyst and former quarterbacks Ron Jaworski made an intriguing comment as to why he believes the rookie quarterback class of 2011 had so much success.

He credited the lockout.

Source: Minnesota Vikings Eyeing Jake Locker and Christian Ponder

We are now exactly one month away from the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. As teams continue to do their due diligence on every available player, speculation as to where those players will land is starting to ramp up.

One of the hottest rumors going right now is Missouri's Blaine Gabbert will be a top five draft pick. He's done everything right leading up to the draft and appears headed to either Buffalo at #3, Cincinnati at #4 or Arizona at #5. This is significant because the Minnesota Vikings (a team I know very well) have shown significant interest in Gabbert. Gabbert recently dined with Vikings V.P. of Player Personal Rick Spielman and head coach Leslie Frazier. Also, Spielman flew down to Missouri to watch Gabbert - in person - multiple times last season. With news of Gabbert's pre-draft rise, the Vikings, who hold the #12 overall pick, are now in the process of changing their draft strategy.

Speculation: if Gabbert makes it to the Cleveland Browns at #6 the Vikings may make a move to trade up. This is a complete guess on my part, but considering how much interest they've shown in Gabbert, it's a safe bet discussions will be had.

Reality: Gabbert will likely be gone by #6 and the Vikings will be forced to consider another option at quarterback, which I'm told they're doing now. According to a person I consider to be a reliable source, the Vikings will look to trade back in the first round and draft in the early 20s. The Vikings are eager to pick-up more later round picks to make up for their lack of a third-round pick, which was dealt to New England in the Randy Moss deal.

According to the source, the Vikings would like to move back and take either Washington's Jake Locker or Florida State's Christian Ponder. Both are considered late first- or early second-round picks. My guess is both players will be first-round picks and once one is off the board, the other will go quickly thereafter.

The Vikings have already brought Locker in for a private workout, while Ponder is not yet scheduled to visit Minnesota.

If the Vikings can't find a first-round trade partner, look for them to take offensive tackle Tyron Smith from Southern Cal.

Jake Locker Visits Minnesota Vikings, Tyron Smith Next

The Minnesota Vikings have a long list of needs this off season, but few are more pressing than finding a quarterback and finding guys to protect him.

The Vikings reportedly worked out Washington quarterback Jake Locker on Tuesday and are reportedly scheduled to hold a private workout with Southern Cal offensive tackle Tyron Smith.

Smith missed most of the NFL Scouting Combine because of a lateral meniscus injury. He did bench press at the Combine, lifting 225 pounds 29 times.

Smith is on schedule to work out at the Trojans' Pro Day on March 30 on the USC campus.

Smith could still be on the board when the Vikings pick at #12. Smith has the ability to play guard and tackle. He played right tackle at USC.

As for Locker, he is reportedly scheduled to attend private workouts with the Denver Broncos (#2 overall pick) and Tennessee Titans (#8 overall pick).

Locker is considered a wild card in the upcoming draft. Some draft experts have him going as high as #10 overall, while others have him ranked near the top of round two.

Locker will hold his Pro Day on March 30 on the University of Washington campus.

2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jake Locker

Jake Locker, QB, Washington (6'2" 225 lbs.)

Positives: He has a strong arm and can make all NFL throws. He has near perfect mechanics with a very quick release. He has good feet and has the ability to elude pressure. He's a strong leader with tremendous presence in the huddle. Played in a pro-style offense at Washington.

Negatives: He needs to get more consistent. He has a tendency to force throws and his accuracy struggles. Not the best at reading blitzes and leaves the pocket too soon at times. He had a very disappointing senior year and struggled at the Senior Bowl. Will be a considered a project in the NFL.

Click here to watch video of Jake Locker

2011 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings interested in two quarterbacks?

For the next couple of months, you’re going to hear a lot of speculation/hearsay/rumors leading up to the 2011 NFL draft. Teams will rave about players, players will rave about teams and agents will do all of the above. Players and agents do it for leverage, while teams do it to create a smokescreen. During this time of year in the NFL, you can’t believe everything you hear.

It’s no secret the Minnesota Vikings need a quarterback and they’ve made it clear they want to draft one this year. During the Senior Bowl last month, Vikings team reps were seen talking to Washington quarterback Jake Locker. The meeting set off a series of tweets, articles and blog posts – all with similar headlines – Locker the next Vikings QB?

It is very possible Locker will be the Vikings quarterback, but he’s not the quarterback they’re the most interested in. According to a person I consider to be a reliable source, the Vikings are very interested in two quarterbacks in this year’s draft. The first player is Blaine Gabbert. He’s a big, strong-armed quarterback from Missouri, who many believe will be gone before the Vikings pick at #12. The other quarterback is Iowa senior Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi is considered a second- or third-round pick, and many scouts believe he has the highest football I.Q. of any quarterback in the draft.

If the Vikings are truly interested in Gabbert, they will more than likely need to trade up in the first-round to draft him. As for Stanzi, he’s not worth a high second-round pick, so the Vikings will either need to trade down or hope he slides to the fourth round (Vikings don’t have a third round pick—traded to New England in Randy Moss deal).

Again, this time of year in the NFL is filled with speculation and rumors. But I believe, as of right now, these two quarterbacks are on the Vikings short list of potential quarterbacks.

The NFL combine is next week in Indianapolis, so look for more misinformation and manufactured hype. The NFL draft is April 28-30, 2011.

2011 Fantasy Football Scouting Report: Jake Locker, QB, Tennessee Titans

2011 Projected

750 yds.

5 TDs

7 INTs

With the arrival of Matt Hasselbeck, Locker will watch from the sidelines for Tennessee. Locker still has a chance to play this year, mostly because of Hasselbeck's past health concerns (back). Locker has the physical tools to be a very good quarterback in the NFL. He can make every throw required by an NFL quarterback, he can make plays with his legs (projected: three rushing TDs) and he's shown tremendous leadership qualities. Locker is a project quarterback who will have very little fantasy football impact in 2011.