QB Jake Locker, Washington Huskies
The Huskies are still somewhat stuck in mediocrity, but quarterback Jake Locker has helped them begin making strides towards becoming a respectable college program again. With nobody else to help take pressure off, Locker has found ways to be productive in 2009, completing over 56 percent of his passes for 2203 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding another four touchdowns on the ground.
His completion rate isn’t something to write home about, but the thing that sticks with me is the improvement Locker has made in becoming a run-first quarterback that he was as a freshman to now working through his progressions before taking off. He has improved his completion percentage each year in college, and combined with his size (6’3, 225 pounds); Locker is moving up draft boards with each passing week, leading the Huskies to wins over USC and Arizona and narrowly losing to more talented teams such as UCLA, Notre Dame and LSU.
Locker is a junior this year, but may be ready to declare for the draft after this season. And even with this year shaping up as deep class of quarterbacks, Locker is making a case for him to be one of the top 2-3 quarterbacks chosen. Locker, with his strong arm and ability to move out of the pocket, is the type of quarterback that fantasy owners will love once he gets a few years under his belt. Great taxi candidate in year one with high end QB1 upside down the line.
WR Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas Jayhawks
There's more than just one "Dez" that matters in the Big 12 conference. Everyone knows about Dez Bryant from Oklahoma St, who was suspended for the year after meeting with Deion Sanders. Well, there is another "Dez" working his way up draft boards, Dezmon Briscoe from Kansas.
Briscoe has been the Jayhawks top receiving threat again this year, catching 61 passes over eight games for 917 yards and six touchdowns. Briscoe has great size at 6'3 and 200 pounds, and with his good body control, he can be a solid deep threat at the next level. With quarterback Todd Reesing a senior, Briscoe, a junior, may find that it more alluring to declare for the draft this year as opposed to working with a new quarterback next year.
As with all wide receivers, Briscoe would likely need a year on the taxi squad, but he could develop into a solid #2 wideout at the next level, with potential for the occasional big game. Think a more polished Michael Clayton, with better long term reliable consistency.
TE Jimmy Graham, Miami Hurricanes
If you have read any of my work over the past couple years, then you already know that me love me The U! I bleed orange and green. So it may surprise you that I haven't profiled a player from The U in the two years I have been writing Heirs to the Throne. The reason is simple. There hasn’t been any offensive player of note to come out of Miami in recent years. That begins to change this year... and it'll start with a guy that has barely seen the field.
Before this season, Jimmy Graham was a member of the Miami Hurricanes... basketball team! That's right, before this year, he was throwing down dunks as opposed to going over the middle on a crossing route. But this year, with an extra year of eligibility, Graham not only made the football team after being away from the gridiron several years, he has become a viable red zone option for the suddenly high powered Hurricane offense. P
laying in a limited role, Graham has 8 catches on the season for 96 yards, with 4 touchdowns. I can sense your skepticism and hear your laughter now. But I'm telling you, give this guy some time. He has everything that one needs to be a tight end at the next level. He is big (6'8, 260 pounds), he can run and jump and he has some good hands.
Graham will need some seasoning as he still learns the nuances of route running and blocking, but one only needs to look at Pro-Bowler Antonio Gates to see what the Rax is cooking here; drafting Graham next year and putting him on your taxi squad is a slam dunk of an investment.
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As we head towards the backstretch, the haves and have nots become clearer, and the have nots often use the last few weeks to “audition” potential starters for 2010. Here are a couple players that are currently playing on horrible teams that may get a chance to make their case for next year.
WR Keenan Burton, St. Louis Rams
With injuries to Laurent Robinson and teams shading coverages over to Donnie Avery, Burton has averaged 4.5 catches over the past four weeks. With the anemic Rams defense having trouble scoring, Burton is not recommended for touchdown heavy leagues. But in ppr keeper leagues, Burton is worth a look if you are desperate for WR help. With a strong second half of the season, Burton could establish himself at worst as the #3 wr for next year.
RB Javon Ringer, Tennessee Titans
Admittedly, I was not that big of a fan of Ringer when he came out last year, but with the Titans struggling mightily this year, Ringer may get an opportunity yet this season to “audition” for the number 2 rb with the Titans for 2010. This is clearly Chris Johnson’s team right now, but backup LenDale White doesn’t appear likely to be back next year, and if Ringer can solidify himself as Johnson’s backup for next year, he could have value as "the other guy". If you are in a deep dynasty league, now would be the time for you to audition Ringer as well.
