Justin Blackmon NFL Combine: Missed Events Won't Hinder WR's Draft Stock

A tender hamstring kept Justin Blackmon from competing in every event at the 2012 NFL combine, but he shouldn't worry because his status in the draft class will be just fine. 

No other wide receiver did enough to surpass Blackmon as the top guy, so the former Oklahoma State Cowboy must now put his focus on thriving at his pro day on March 9. 

Blackmon will run the 40-yard dash that day, which is something he didn't do at the combine. The only events he did at the combine were 14 reps of the 225-pound bench press, as well as performing in the pass-catching drills. 

Missing events can diminish the draft stock for some, but it didn't effect Blackmon all that much. Considering he looked good during the gauntlet drill, the 6'1", 207-pound star is sure to be the first wide receiver taken off the board. 

As you can see in the video of his gauntlet drill, when he takes to a full sprint at the end, Blackmon does grimace some, so clearly the hamstring is an issue. That will have to be healthy for his pro day, as he believes he will do well. 

The two-time Fred Biletnikoff Award winner told reporters that he'll surprise on March 9, and that he believes he's on par with the top two receivers from last year's draft. 

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"I know I’m not slow. I’m going to get out and will probably shock a few people. 

"They had really good rookie seasons, both A.J. [Green] and Julio [Jones],” Blackmon said. “I am very competitive, so I would put myself right up there with them." 

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That's a bold statement that Blackmon will have to live up to, but he certainly has the talent to thrive in the NFL. 

He put pressure on himself for his rookie season, but if a team with a strong-armed quarterback picks him, Blackmon should find success early and often. 

Already the top wideout in the class of 2012, Blackmon needs only a good 40-yard dash at his pro day to solidify his status a top-10, possibly top-five pick come draft day. 

He doesn't have killer speed, but he can move. It will be interesting to see if the hamstring issues linger though. 

Had Blackmon missed the the entirety of the the combine, his draft stock would take a sizable hit, similar to what Alshon Jeffery is going through right now. 

However, he toughed through the pain to participate in something so his name and face were out there for the scouts to see. That shows he is an intense player that gives his all, no matter what. 

Most guys that hurt their hamstring would back out of the combine altogether. It doesn't matter that Blackmon missed a few speed drills, because he did more by doing less since he was in pain.