Jacksonville Jaguars Select Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State Live 2012 NFL Draft Grade

With the fifth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Here is our scouting report on Blackmon:

An absolute beast at the wide receiver position who is considered one of the top two receiver prospects for next year, and one of the top overall prospects in the entire potential 2012 class of players. Broke out as a redshirt sophomore in 2010 with 111 receptions for 1,782 yards, 20 touchdowns, a 16.1 yards per reception average, and a 69 yard rushing touchdown. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Blackmon’s sophomore season was that he did not go a single game without 100 yards or more receiving. If he were to out-do himself, it’s that he didn’t go a single game without catching a touchdown pass despite being the focus of opposing defensive units. Blackmon is a guy who is going to be a high pick in the draft barring significant injury or character flaws. He was arrested for a DUI in late October, but hopefully he can push that issue behind him, as stupid as it is. He should be one of the top offensive players in the country in 2011 with stability at the quarterback position and a healthy season.

PROS: Nose for the end zone…great athletic ability…finds a way to get open consistently despite constant double teams…playmaker…reliable hands..smart receiver…yards after the catch….punt return ability….can beat press coverage…great production….consistent performer…tracks the ball well and catches it at its highest point…

CONS: Slightly shorter than “elite” wide receiver prospect, but that won’t limit him….Slightly limited route tree at OKST…DUI Arrest…players that are as physical as Blackmon are often get beat up and miss games in the N.F.L. (Dez Bryant, Anquan Boldin, Hakeem Nicks all excellent WR but all have missed games because of nagging injuries every year)

Live Draft Grade: B

Blackmon is a #2 receiver but will get #1 receiver treatment in Jacksonville, which isn’t a bad thing but also I don’t know if Blackmon is a top five talent. I certainly hope for Jacksonville’s sake that he is. I like him as a prospect, but I don’t love him at number 5 overall. He’s a very good prospect.