Don McPeak- USA TODAY Sports
The first three seasons of Jake Locker’s NFL career have been marked by inconsistency and injuries, but the Tennessee Titans look to be committed to his development with the hiring of Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach on Monday night. Whisenhunt most recently helped Philip Rivers resurrect his career as offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers this past season, and prior to that he worked with Ben Roethlisberger as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004-2006 and Kurt Warner early in his time as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2007-2012.
Locker missed the final seven games of this season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot that required surgery, after missing two games earlier in the season with hip and knee issues, and a report from late December suggested he’ll be in a walking boot until March. That would put him in line to be ready for offseason work, which will obviously be important with a new coaching staff and offensive system in place. Should fantasy football owners expect Locker to turn the corner next season?
The accuracy concerns surrounding Locker coming into the pros have not dissipated to this point, since has completed just over 57 percent of his passes in 23 career games (18 starts). But he did complete over 60 percent of his passes in 2013 with just four interceptions in 183 pass attempts, though three of those interceptions came in 31 pass attempts (with zero touchdown passes) over his final two games. 2014 is the last guaranteed year on his rookie contract, so Locker should be plenty motivated to improve and take the next step in his career.
Locker’s running ability bolsters his fantasy value and helps make up for any shortcomings he has as a passer, but it also adds to his risk of injury and keeps him out of consideration as a QB1 in 12 and 14-team leagues until he proves he can stay healthy. Working with Whisenhunt can only benefit him, and under the assumption his foot issue doesn’t linger too far into the offseason I like Locker as a QB2 with upside for next year.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter @bradberreman24.
