What Am I Missing Here?

Originally Published: Dec 18, 2009 8:15 AM CDT

If we are to believe some NFL draft gurus, such as ESPN’s Todd McShay, Washington quarterback Jake Locker, in deciding to come back to school, passed up on being the number one pick in April’s NFL draft.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen talked to one scout who went so far as to call Locker “a bigger, stronger, right-handed Steve Young.”  Really?!  Steve Young is a Hall of Famer and one of the most accurate passers in NFL history.

If all of this talk is true, I don’t know who’s making the bigger mistake- the draft gurus or Locker.

He may turn out to be the next Tom Brady, but during his three-year college career, Locker has completed just 53% of his passes.  Compare that to Sam Bradford (66%) or Colt McCoy (70%).  Even Tim Tebow, who most scouts don’t believe can play quarterback in the NFL,  has completed 66% of his passes.

By 2011, rookies entering the NFL draft will be subject to a new collective bargaining agreement which will most certainly include a rookie wage scale similar to that of the NBA.  The wage scale is aimed at curbing the huge salaries given to players just entering the league. 

Experts estimate that the contract give to the top overall pick in 2011 could be worth as much as $10-15 million dollars LESS than the contract given to the top overall pick this coming April.   Ah, but it’s only money, right?

It all begs the question:  Who stands to lose more, Locker at $10-15 million, or the experts with their credibility?