Justin Blackmon: Falling to Carolina Panthers Would Be Best-Case Scenario for WR

Justin Blackmon will find a new football home at the 2012 NFL draft tonight, and for his sake he better hope he falls to No. 9. 

According to Joseph Person of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers will select Blackmon if he falls to them on draft day. 

The chances of Blackmon slipping to the bottom of the top 10 are pretty slim, but that would be the ideal place for the young wide receiver to grow and develop. 

In Carolina, Blackmon would have a strong-armed, reliable quarterback in Cam Newton, as well as a gifted teammate who shares his position on the field. 

Getting to work and learn from Steve Smith would do wonders for Blackmon's future. It's doubtful that it happens, but there's no denying Carolina is the best place for the former Oklahoma State Cowboy. 

Having won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in back-to-back years, Blackmon has long been a hot and coveted prospect. 

Many expect he'll be drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 6 pick, or higher if they trade up for him, but playing with Newton would be better than playing with Sam Bradford. 

The Rams and Bradford are a big mess right now, and while having Blackmon would help, it wouldn't be the best place for the young wideout to prosper. 

He needs a quarterback that isn't going to get hurt super easily, as well as a veteran wide receiver to mentor him. 

When the first round of the 2012 NFL draft is completed tonight, Blackmon will be preparing for a new chapter in his life. His future will look much brighter if he slips to the Panthers as opposed to going anywhere else in the top 10.