The Tennessee Titans are a surprising 2-1 after pulling out a 20-17 victory against the San Diego Chargers last weekend and one of the main reasons why the team is on the winning side of that record is due to the play of quarterback Jake Locker.
The Titans drafted Locker to be the quarterback of the future and after struggling last season he has appeared to be much improved and is developing into the player the franchise hoped that he would be. Locker's numbers aren't gaudy, but since he is available in nearly all leagues, he could be a good replacement pickup for players like Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton, as both quarterbacks have bye weeks in Week 4.
Locker finished last week with 299 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers and even though his first two games were not fantasy breakouts, he is playing the Jets at home and while New York is also 2-1, they are a young team and he could put up some nice numbers with Kendall Wright and Nate Washington as his receivers. Locker is a good pickup in deeper leagues and this season he has three touchdowns and zero turnovers, making him a safe pick as well.
Nate Washington has been solid for the Titans and is their leading receiver with 15 catches on 22 targets and he has 227 yards receiving this season, although he has been held out of the endzone. Last week he had a huge game with eight catches on 10 targets with over 130 yards and he could be in for another nice game on Sunday against the Jets.
Peter King writes on SI.com that Locker has been much improved in the way he has played, even if the stats don't translate into that yet, as he has been efficient and smart down the stretch in both wins. But as King points out, Locker's development will be tested, as his next four opponents are all ranked in the top 10 in total defense this season and are also ranked in the top 10 in passing defense with the Jets, Chiefs, Seahawks and 49ers on the docket next. The Titans are ranked 30th in the NFL in passing yards per game and seventh in rushing and if Chris Johnson has a nice game, that could open things up for Locker and the offense.
