2012 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Analysis on Justin Blackmon, Draft's Top WRs

Justin Blackmon sure put on a show in Oklahoma State's 41-38 Fiesta Bowl against the Stanford Cardinal, but he's not the only extremely impressive receiver in the 2012 NFL draft class. 

Let's take a closer look at Blackmon and two other elite wideout prospects. 

Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State 

If Blackmon wasn't a household name before the Fiesta Bowl, he most certainly is after his eight-catch, 186-yard, three-touchdown performance in Oklahoma State's win over Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal.

The Cowboys standout never disappeared in big games during his time in Stillwater and was a fixture in both the short and intermediate passing games.

He plays with an ultra-aggressive demeanor and snatches the ball out of the air with great ease, even in tight coverage.

While he's undoubtedly an impressive physical specimen and has been extremely productive in his last two seasons, he's not a speedster and is not as athletically gifted as another Oklahoma State star he's being compared to in Dez Bryant.

A.J. Green and Julio Jones were better pro prospects last season because of their top end speed.  

However, I don't want to take anything away from Blackmon, who'll be a good pro and will contribute in 2012. He cemented his Top-10 draft stock by dominating the Fiesta Bowl, no doubt.

Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

With Blackmon, there are some question marks surrounding his ability to become a legitimate downfield threat at the next level.

With Jeffery, that won't be a problem, in large part due to his size. 

The South Carolina standout stands 6'4'' and weighs 235 pounds. While he's not as chiseled as Blackmon, he often physically dominates corners and safeties alike.

Getting off the line and working through press coverage will not be an issue. 

Jeffery will need to develop as a route-runner, especially on intermediate routes, because he has the body to become a fine possession receiver in the NFL.

If he can demonstrate a good work ethic and doesn't add weight, which will slow down his already below-average acceleration, Jeffery will be a future Pro Bowler. 

Kendall Wright, Baylor

Some have Notre Dame's Michael Floyd or Wisconsin's Nick Toon as the third-best receiving prospect in the 2012 draft class.

I love me some Kendall Wright.

Yes, big receivers are a hot trend in the NFL, but speed will never go out of style.

Wright is easily the fastest guy out of the top pass-catchers and produced at a Blackmon-type level in 2011.

He caught 108 passes for 1,663 yards and 14 touchdowns from Robert Griffin III this year.

At 5'10'' and 190 pounds, he'll certainly line up in the slot in the NFL, and I expect him to be used similarly to how the Eagles used DeSean Jackson when he entered the league.

Actually, Wright is a more polished route-runner than Jackson was when he was drafted in 2008, but is equally as fast and almost as shifty.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts—Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

2. St. Louis Rams—Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

3.  Minnesota Vikings—Matt Kalil, OT, USC

4.  Cleveland Browns—Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

5.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

6.  Washington Redskins—Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

7.  Jacksonville Jaguars—Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

8.  Carolina Panthers—Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

9.  Miami Dolphins—Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

10.  Buffalo Bills—Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

11.  Seattle Seahawks—Nick Perry, DE, USC

12.  Kansas City Chiefs—Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

13.  Arizona Cardinals—Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

14.  Dallas Cowboys—Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

15.  Philadelphia Eagles—Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State

16.  New York Jets—Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

17.  Cincinnati Bengals (From Oakland Raiders)—Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama  

18.  San Diego Chargers—David DeCastro, OG, Stanford  

19.  Chicago Bears—Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

20.  Tennessee Titans—Ronnell Lewis, LB, Oklahoma

21.  Denver Broncos—Devon Still, DT, Penn State

22.  New York Giants—Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia 

23.  Cincinnati Bengals—Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

24.  Houston Texans—Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama

25.  Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta Falcons)—Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina

26.  Detroit Lions—Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina

27.  Pittsburgh Steelers—Cordy Glenn, OL, Georgia

28.  Baltimore Ravens—Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

29.  New England Patriots (from New Orleans Saints)—Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson

30.  San Francisco 49ers—Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington

31.  New England Patriots—Mark Barron, S, Alabama

32.  Green Bay Packers—Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois