2012 NFL Mock Draft: Justin Blackmon and Playmakers Getting Too Much Love

Oklahoma State superstar wide receiver Justin Blackmon has deservedly received a lot love this season and during this draft process.

The two-time Biletnikoff Award winner is actually being talked about as the possible No. 2 overall selection. That is a bit too high.

The 2012 NFL Scouting Combine is officially upon us, and soon enough we're going to put some numbers next to the talents we've seen Blackmon showcase on Saturday's for the past few years.

Heights, weights, 40-yard dash times and things of that nature are certainly important, but they don't define a player. Blackmon is a great football player. He has football speed and natural playmaking skills. He doesn't, however, have the elite physical tools of Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green or even Julio Jones—three top six picks in recent years.

Blackmon is a great player, but he's getting a little bit too much love right now, and he's not the only one.

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-14): Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Deserves all the love and then some, Andrew Luck is the real deal and a franchise quarterback in waiting.

2. St. Louis Rams (4-12): Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

He's a great player and fills a major need, but he's just not worth the No. 2 pick.

3. Minnesota Vikings (3-13): Matt Kalil, OT, USC

Kalil is an immediate starter for a team in desperate need of a new tackle.

4. Cleveland Browns (2-14): Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

The Heisman Trophy winner is about to earn a lot more love, but he gets the benefit of the doubt for the time being because we haven't seen a player like him in a while.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12): Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Richardson is not getting enough love, and if not for the devaluing of the running back in the draft, he could even go higher. He's the best running prospect we've seen since AP.

6. Washington Redskins (5-11): Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M

Another player getting the benefit of the doubt is the Aggies senior QB. Tannehill is still nursing an injury, but will eventually be able to throw prior to the draft.

Teams are enamored with his potential and quarterbacks are at a premium right now.

He's not a top 10 prospect, but he could easily be taken in the top 10.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

The LSU Tiger cornerback could be the steal of the draft this late.

8. Carolina Panthers (6-10)*: Quinton Coples, DE, UNC

There are certainly more than a few skeptics when it comes to Coples, but he has too much upside.

9. Miami Dolphins (6-10)*: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Reiff is a great value and even better fit for this team—assuming they land a QB in free agency that is.

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Alabama

The same goes for Upshaw and the Bills; he's a great fit and fills a need.

11. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)*: Melvin Ingram, DE/OLB, South Carolina

Ingram was great this season and has flown up the draft board. Some are worried about his height though and where he fits schematically.

This week's combine will be important for him, and the love could stop flowing if they don't like what they see.

12. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)*: Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

Great value and great fit from every angle. Kuechly is an ideal fit for a Romeo Crennel/Scott Pioli team.

13. Arizona Cardinals (8-8): Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

The Cards have a desperate need for a new tackle, and Martin fits the bill.

14. Dallas Cowboys (8-7): David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

This Stanford interior lineman could make a huge impact for the Cowboys and help bring more balance to their offense.

15. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8): Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

The Golden Domer is the perfect complement for the current Eagles receivers.

16. New York Jets (8-8): Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

The massive Bulldog lineman has great versatility and will help the Jets get their running game back on track.

17. Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK 8-8): Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama

Another solid fit and potentially great value if he passes everything teams throw at him.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8): Nick Perry, DE/OLB, USC

The reviews are mixed on Perry and there is potential for him to fly up the board or fall.

19. Chicago Bears (8-8): Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

The towering Buckeyes lineman will help make the Bears a better football team.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

The red-shirt sophomore is getting a ton of love from some people, but it is all based on potential and upside.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7): Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

If Miller times close to the rumored sub-4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, he'll have plenty of love coming his way.

22. Cleveland Browns (via ATL 10-6): David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

This is a reach pick to begin with, but Wilson could also test very well in Indianapolis, and he's a great fit for a team looking for more weapons.

23. Detroit Lions (10-6): Janoris Jenkins, CB, North Alabama

Jenkins, should he explain himself well in the interview process, could very easily rise up the board.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4): Devon Still, DT, Penn State

Penn State's top player is a disruptive force in the middle and a good value this far down the board.

25. Denver Broncos (8-8): Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi State

Cox's elite versatility could very easily drive him on the board sooner than later.

26. Houston Texans (10-6): Mark Barron, S, Alabama

This is a steal if the Crimson Tide safety is still on the board here.

27. New England Patriots (via NO 13-3): Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor

The senior receiver is an elite field-stretching option for a team in desperate need of one. He may never be an elite receiver though.

28. Green Bay Packers (15-1): Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska

Dennard is falling down the board, but his physicality is a great fit for this football team.

29. Baltimore Ravens (12-4): Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin

Hulk-like center prospect gives the Ravens stability they need on the interior.

30. San Francisco 49ers (13-3): Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

The reviews on Jeffery are so mixed that it is almost impossible to get a read on where he belongs. It wouldn't be shocking to see him fall out of the first round, and I'm hardly sold on him.

31. New England Patriots (13-3): Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

A rising prospect with a lot of upside.

32. New York Giants (9-7): Dwayne Allen, TE, Clemson

The Giants have a tendency to take the best available player regardless of need, and Allen fits both. 

*Order determined by coin flip at NFL Scouting Combine