Could Jake Locker be a fit for the Buffalo Bills?

When free agency hits on March 10th, there is no doubt that the Buffalo Bills will be in the market for a starting quarterback.

With no first-round pick, it is a guarantee that Buffalo will bring in at least one signal caller via free agency. Although the options are limited, there are still some intriguing options who the Bills can bring in. Players like Mark Sanchez, Ryan Mallet, Matt Flynn and Colt McCoy are all available.

However, there is one name that stands out in my mind as a perfect fit. And that name is Jake Locker.

Locker was selected eighth overall by the Tennessee Titans in the 2011 NFL draft out of the University of Washington. In his rookie season, Locker appeared in parts of only five games, throwing for 542 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Despite having some success in his debut season, Locker struggled the following year. He appeared in 11 games, throwing for 2,176 yards and 10 scores but threw 11 interceptions. He also added 291 yards on the ground on 41 carries.

The 2013 season would mark the first time that Locker would be the Titans starter heading into the season opener. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a season-ending injury sustained just seven games into the season. Locker would finish 2013 with 1,256 passing yards, throwig eight touchdowns passes and four interceptions.

The following season would be another one filled with injuries. Locker would once again be limited to just seven games, throwing for 993 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. Following the season, the Titans announced that Locker would not be re-signed and is set to hit the free agent market.

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With a relatively-weak free agent quarterback class, Locker should be one of the first signal callers off of the market. Although he has never started a full season due to injuries, Locker will get the chance to compete for a starting job come training camp. At 6’3’’ and 223 pounds, Locker possesses ideal size to play quarterback in the NFL. If he can avoid injury, there is no telling how good Locker can really be.

The Bills should take a serious look at Locker for many reasons. First: he is a talented, young quarterback. Locker has a very strong arm. He is one of the better quarterbacks in the league at throwing outside the pocket and on the run. He does an excellent job at avoiding pressure and can keep plays alive. The Bills haven’t had a quarterback who can do this in years.

Second, he’s a dual threat quarterback. Locker has shown the ability that he can throw the ball downfield in the NFL. He has a very good deep ball, and has solid placement when doing so. What’s underrated about his game is his ability to run the ball. When he is forced out of the pocket, Locker has excellent speed, and can effectively take the ball upfield with his feet. In his four years in Tennessee, Locker averaged 6.8 yards per carry, which is a pretty high number for a quarterback.

Third, he’s a leader. In his final year at Washington, Locker took a team with sub-par talent to a bowl game. Despite playing a heavily-favored Nebraska team, Locker was able to rally his teammates and upset the Cornhuskers to win the Holiday Bowl.

In the NFL, Locker has never really been given much talent to work with. In Buffalo, he would easily have more talent than he ever had with the Titans, Locker would thrive in both the pass and run game and could really take Buffalo’s offense to the next level. Not to mention that he has experience playing football in the cold weather as well.

Free agency will be here before you know it, and when March 10th rolls around, the Buffalo Bills need to sign Jake Locker to a contract. He needs to stay healthy, but if he can the sky is the limit. The Bills have one of the best defenaes in the NFL and have a young and talented offense. The Bills are essentially a quarterback away from the playoffs.

Locker can be the guy who can take them there. With a strong arm, speed, and leadership, Locker and the Bills make perfect sense come free agency.