Each day from now until March 6, the day before teams can talk to agents for free agents, Geoff Mosher and Reuben Frank will profile some of the NFL’s top impending free agents and determine whether they'd fit with the Eagles.
Jake Locker
Age: 26
Height: 6-2
Weight: 228
Last team: Tennessee Titans
Scouting report
The eighth overall pick of the 2011 draft, Locker’s four years have been defined by injuries and inaccuracy. He’s played just 30 games, never playing more than 11 in any season and never starting just 23 games in those four seasons. Locker has a career 9-14 record, with a 57.5 completion percentage and 79.0 passer rating. He made just under $2.1 million last year.
Geoff’s take
It’s tempting to think Locker could be another reclamation project in the same mold as Mark Sanchez, who certainly had his flaws but set a franchise record last season for completion percentage. Locker has a strong arm and plus mobility, which blends well with Chip Kelly’s system. He has upside if he can stay healthy. Bringing him in as a backup to either Nick Foles or — yeah, I’ll say it — Marcus Mariota wouldn’t be a bad idea, but I’m a big proponent of continuity at the QB position. So if it came down to Sanchez or Locker as a backup, I’d stick with Sanchez.
Roob’s take
Last time we spoke to Eagles owner Jeff Lurie, after the season finale at the Meadowlands, Lurie hinted at the Eagles’ offseason quarterback plan when he was asked how a team can find a franchise QB if it rarely has a top-10 pick: “It’s not easy. You’ve got to really catch a break. You’ve got to find the players that are under-valued. That’s what happens. You know?” In other words, find a veteran nobody else wants who fits your scheme. Steal a guy. Somebody like Jake Locker, right? Please. Locker can run (6.8 career average), so he fits one Chip Kelly requirement, but he’s never done anything notable as a passer, and he turns 27 this spring. No thanks.