Justin Blackmon Player Profile

Justin Blackmon had one of the most memorable seasons for a college wide out in NCAA history. Many thought he would declare for the 2011 NFL Draft but he decided to stay in school. He tends to split opinion with many thinking that his inflated numbers are due to Dana Holgorsen's pass happy offense; whilst others think that he is the real deal.

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 207

Class:Junior

NFL Player Comparison:

Pierre Garcon: This was quite a tough comparison for me. Blackmon looked like a total superstar last season but I don't think he is comparable to an upper echelon NFL receiver just yet. Garcon has flashed the potential to be a number one at times but has a horrible tendency to drop the easy balls. Watching Blackmon on tape he drops more balls than people seem to realise. I think both Blackmon and Garcon have playmaking ability and both players can produce highlight plays. I do think that Blackmon drops fewer balls than Garcon and likely will be a better pro but I stand by the comparison.

Player Bio:

• Blackmon wasn't the most highly touted prospect coming out of high school. Scout.com had him as the number 58 receiver in the country and he considered scholarships from Oklahoma State, Missouri and Colorado. He redshirted the season in 2008 and in 2009 he caught 20 balls for 260 yards and 2 TDs leading all newcomers.  It wasn't until last season that he put it all together and burst on to the scene in Stillwater. It is pretty tough to list any single game as a highlight as he had over 100 yards and 1+ TD in every game. He ended the 2010 season with 111 receptions, 1782 yards and 20 TDs as well as 77 yards and a TD on the ground. He also returned a blocked punt for a TD on special teams. He became the first WR to win the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and he won the Biletnikoff award as the nation's top receiver. He was also named as a first-team All American. He was suspended for one game after being arrested on the 27^th October for Driving whilst intoxicated.

Other Potential 1st Round WR's:

Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina)

• As I have written elsewhere I believe Jeffery is the number one receiver in the 2012 draft. Even if Blackmon puts up another amazing year I don't think he will be considered the number 1 receiver in this class unless Jeffery has a horrible year.

Projected Draft Status: Top 15

• The problem with Blackmon is that unlike Jeffery, A.J. Green, Julio Jones or Jonathan Baldwin he doesn't have elite size. Sadly in the NFL we know size matters and I think this will drop Blackmon into the middle part of round 1.
  

Career Stats

• 131 receptions, 2,042 yards and 22 TDs.

Video Highlights

• Highlight #1: Justin Blackmon v Nebraska: Torches Prince Amukamara on a flea flicker. However he does get pretty much shut down in the 2^nd half.

• Highlight #2: Justin Blackmon v Baylor: The rushing TD shows his big play ability.

• Highlight #3: NFL Draft Analysis: Great video showing positives and negatives. That dropped TD against Baylor was horrible.

Final Thoughts

• Blackmon has great short area quickness. There are times when he is very crisp in and out of his cuts and is capable of creating separation. He is a tough receiver who can catch a slant over the middle and he excels at burning corners with double moves. There are times though when his route running is fairly lazy and he relies on his athleticism too much.

• Last year Blackmon looked very much like a man amongst boys. Going over 100 yards in every game is an astonishing feat. He did it against some elite NFL talent as well such as Prince Amukamara and the trio of Texas CBs taken in the 2011 draft.

• He has great hands and body control and makes some incredible catches. At times he seems capable of catching anything thrown his way. The infuriating thing is he drops some much easier balls. The ball against Baylor at the end of the 1^st was a massive lapse in concentration and he needs to cut that out of his game to be considered elite.