2012 NFL Draft St. Louis Rams: Top 5 Wide Receiver Prospects

Justin Blackmon, Alshon Jeffery, Kendall Wright, Michael Floyd and Mohamed Sanu are consensus top five-wide receivers in 2012 NFL Mock Drafts, and any would look great in the blue and gold of the St. Louis Rams.

These five pass catchers are consistent selections to ultimately land as first-round 2012 NFL Draft selections. Each of the five aforementioned receivers are impressive and, at times, electrifying on film.

Whether looking at Blackmon's toughness, Jeffery's size, Wright's explosiveness, Floyd's all-round play, or Sanu's strength, each of the fabulous five are terrific on video and their highlights emphatically express the traits, talents, skills and play-making ability that have many NFL scouts, talent evaluators and draft analysts salivating.  

Please note, I searched extensively for a combination of quality footage and clean lyrics and succeeded on most counts. Unfortunately, there are a couple of undesirable words mixed into the Kendall Wright video. Please mute audio if concerned.  

That said, let us jump right in and take a brief look at each of the five previously mentioned wideouts, beginning with Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State.  

Justin Blackmon- Oklahoma State

Height: 6'1 

Weight: 215

Projected 40: 4.55 

Blackmon has averaged 116 catches, 14 yards a reception, 1,652 yards and 19 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Blackmon has been described as a cross between Terrell Owens and Anquan Boldin.  

He lacks elite speed but uses quick feet to separate. Blackmon is not afraid to go across the middle and manages to get behind defenses for the big play.  

He has good strength, hands and body control and is able to catch in traffic and can get up for the circus catch. 

He projects as a top five pick by most NFL Draft analysts and is a consensus top 10 selection.  

If St. Louis retains the number 2 overall pick or trades down into the top 10, Blackmon would likely be a consideration, if available, and instantly aid in upgrading the wide receiver corps.  

Alshon Jeffery- South Carolina

Height: 6'4

Weight: 235

Projected 40: 4.55 to 4.7

The massive receiver from South Carolina averaged 61 catches, eight touchdowns and 1,014 yards over the last three seasons.

Jeffery has been compared favorably to Detroit Lions All-Pro Calvin Johnson, who possesses similar size and skills.

Although not as fast as Johnson, Jeffery looks very much like Johnson in his initial burst off the line, ability to catch the ball in traffic, leaping ability, agility, run after catch and, obviously, his size.   

Jeffery's speed is a question mark, and is estimated anywhere from 4.5 to 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. Obviously, his performance in the 40 (overvalued as it may be) will be scrutinized intensely before the 2012 NFL Draft begins. 

Jeffery is projected by most to go anywhere from the latter part of the top 10 to the back-end of the first round. 

There were reports out very recently that Jeffery ran a 4.88 40 yard dash, but that information has been disputed strongly here. 

Jeffery would make for a great red-zone target for the Rams—an area that they have struggled with—and would bring terrific size to the position, something St. Louis lacks outside of the injury-prone Danario Alexander. 

Kendall Wright- Baylor

Height: 5'10

Weight: 190

Projected 40: 4.40 to 4.45

Kendall Wright has averaged 84 catches, 14 yards a reception, 1,118 yards and 8 touchdowns over the last 3 seasons at Baylor.

Wright formed an explosive tandem for the Bears with Heisman Trophy winner and fellow future 2012 NFL Draft first-round pick, Robert Griffin III.  

Wright reminds me of DeSean Jackson, the two-time Pro Bowl selection from the Philadelphia Eagles. Both Wright and Jackson stand about 5'10, have great speed, own great elusiveness, possess rare quickness and have the ability to beat a defense consistently for scores either over the top or after the catch.  

Wright is explosive in and out of his breaks and has very good hands to pair with his aforementioned speed and quickness. Some are concerned with his route running, however, that should be something he can improve upon.  

Wright is rising on some draft boards, going from a late to a middle first-round projection for some draft evaluators. 

Wright would bring the explosion and deep speed that St. Louis lacked in 2011 and could help open up underneath routes for Danny Amendola and other Rams wideouts.  

Michael Floyd- Notre Dame

Height: 6'3

Weight: 225

Projected 40: 4.5 to 4.55

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd averaged 90 receptions, 12 yards per catch, 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons for the Fighting Irish.

He is pegged as a middle to late first-round selection by most, typically being pegged between the 18th and 25th pick.  

Like Blackmon, Floyd is not known as a burner but can get behind a defense nonetheless. He is a sound possession receiver with superb hands and performs well when facing press coverage. Floyd is a good leaper and can haul in the higher passes. 

Floyd is not as explosive as Wright nor quite as impressive overall (to some) as Blackmon or even Jeffery. Many ideally see Floyd as a high-end number 2 receiver at the next level. 

Whether a number 1 or number 2, Floyd would be a welcome addition in the Gateway City.  

On the other hand, the Rams have several possession-type receivers (although none may be as talented as Floyd) on board.  

One might think the Rams lean more towards a player with a higher ceiling (like Blackmon) or more explosiveness (like Wright), depending on where St. Louis is ultimately picking and who is available when they do so. 

Mohamed Sanu- Rutgers

Height: 6'2

Weight: 214

Projected 40: 4.5 to 4.55 

Mohamed Sanu of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights averaged 70 receptions, 754 yards, 11 yards per catch and four touchdowns over the past three seasons.  

Sanu has been projected at the end of the first round or the early part of round two.  

If St. Louis does not select a receiver in the first round, he could be an option at the top of the second round, reuniting him with his collegiate offensive coordinator and the Rams new quarterbacks coach, Frank Cignetti. You can bet that new general manager Les Snead will be hitting up Cignetti regarding his vast insight on Sanu.  

Sanu possesses above-average height, size and speed, making him an attractive commodity in the 2012 NFL Draft. Watching footage of Sanu, his physical play sticks out and he looks to have the strength to become a good run blocker. 

He is versatile, able and willing to not only make plays on the edges, but across the middle. Sanu is yet another 2012 wide receiver prospect who leaps well and can bring down the jump balls in the red zone (or anywhere else). 

Like Floyd, Sanu looks to be an elite possession receiver and shows very nice hands and good route running. However, like Floyd, Blackmon and Jeffrey, he also lacks elite (timed) speed.  

Depending on who the Rams might add at receiver during the offseason, Sanu projects as a potential starter in 2012. The weapon-starved Rams and quarterback Sam Bradford would welcome the talents and team-first attitude of Sanu in St. Louis.

Honorable Mentions

The following are a few 2012 NFL Draft eligible wide receivers who could potentially move up draft boards and into the top five most highly touted wide receivers: 

Marvin McNutt, Iowa

Height: 6'4

Weight: 215 pounds

Projected 40: 4.5 to 4.55 seconds

2011 Stats: McNutt hauled in 82 passes for 1,314 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Hawkeyes while averaging 16 yards per catch. 

Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma

Height: 5'10

Weight: 188 pounds

Projected 40: 4.5 seconds

2011 Stats: Broyles caught 83 balls for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Sooners while averaging 14 yards per reception. 

Jeff Fuller, Texas A & M

Height: 6'4

Weight: 220 pounds

Projected 40: 4.5 to 4.55 seconds

2011 Stats: Fuller pulled down 70 receptions for the Aggies for 828 yards and six touchdowns while averaging just under 12 yards per catch.

Reuben Randle, LSU 

Height: 6'4

Weight: 210 

Projected 40: 4.4 to 4.5

2011 Stats: Reuben reeled in 53 passes for the Tigers for 917 yards and eight touchdowns on over 17 yards per reception.  

Chris Givens, Wake Forest 

Height: 6'0

Weight: 195 

Projected 40: 4.45 to 4.55 

2011 Stats: Givens grabbed 83 passes for 1,330 yards and nine touchdowns on 16 yards per catch for Wake Forest last season. 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year-round. You are encouraged to check out the rest of his work here and to follow him on Twitter.