2012 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Justin Blackmon and the First-Round Receivers

Thanks to the pass-happy movement in the NFL, drafting a top-notch receiver in April can really boost an offense.

Well, 2012 is no different, and in order to stay a few steps ahead of the defense, the following receivers are expected to go in Round 1.

As for where they'll get drafted, let's move ahead to find out.

Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, Oklahoma State

Whether it's Colt McCoy under center for the Cleveland Browns or someone else, adding Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon is the perfect fit for an offense with no overly-dominant receivers.

Blackmon, as expected, is the best receiver in the draft, and completely dominated the 2010 and 2011 college football seasons with over 3,300 receiving yards on 232 receptions and scoring 39 total touchdowns (one rushing).

Cleveland, however, doesn't have that No. 1 stud receiver who can draw double-teams, consistently beat single coverage and stretch a defense.

Blackmon can do all that and more.

He has the strength to avoid getting jammed at the line, the size to go over the middle and reliable hands anywhere on the field. With great agility and field awareness, Blackmon can also catch a quick screen and dart upfield while being unselfish enough to block in the running game.

Provided that the Browns can get healthy along the offensive line and in the backfield, the addition of Blackmon will force a defense to respect the pass, thus allowing more time for Pat Shurmur's plays to develop.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame

Arguably the best receiver to ever play at Notre Dame, Michael Floyd was right up there with Just Blackmon in the past two seasons, and was rather impressive in 2008 and 2009 as well.

For his career, Floyd finished with 3,686 yards on 271 catches, scoring 38 total touchdowns (one rushing). The thing is, Floyd never had a consistent quarterback like Blackmon.

Every year, he had a different quarterback and, whether it was Jimmy Clausen, Dane Crist or Tommy Rees, none are nearly as good as Brandon Weeden and yet, Floyd still worked over every defense he came across.

In Jacksonville, the Jaguars need to look into the mid-rounds for a quarterback and get Floyd early. Much like Cleveland, the Jags don't have any standout receivers, and were the NFL's worst in passing offense last season (averaged 136.2 per game).

Here, Floyd will stretch a defense, take at least one defender out of the box from defending against Maurice Jones-Drew and be a reliable stock-blocker against corners, safeties and outside linebackers.

Floyd has the size, initial quickness and route-running ability to really open up the Jaguars' offense. As long as they find legit competition for Blaine Gabbert in training camp, Jacksonville's offense will make significant strides in 2012.

San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Diego Chargers did not franchise tag receiver Vincent Jackson.

With that said, a small window of opportunity is now open for a franchise wishing to pursue the stud receiver, which also has to make the Bolts implement a backup plan. And their backup plan should be selecting South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery in the NFL draft.

At 6'4", 216 pounds, Jeffery is an ideal receiver to replace Jackson. Although he's been scrutinized, lest we forget about the quarterbacks that were under center for the Gamecocks.

To be frank, it was worse than Michael Floyd's situation. Jeffery had Stephen Garcia and Connor Shaw, both of whom failed in different ways and restricted Jeffery's production. Garcia had off-the-field issues, and Shaw was simply too inexperienced.

Long story short: Jeffery went from gaining 1,517 yards on 88 receptions, including nine touchdowns, in 2010 to just 49 catches for 762 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011.

Still an expected first-rounder, Jeffery had a solid combine and, with Philip Rivers tossing him jump balls downfield and darts over the middle, he will develop rather quickly. His size will allow him to be the go-to target in the red-zone and to split Cover-2 zones down deep.

As long as Rivers isn't turnover prone in 2012 like he was in 2011, San Diego, with Jeffery, will continue to have that pass-offense edge in the AFC West.

Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, Baylor

Had it not been for the injury to Kenny Britt, the Tennessee Titans would have had a much more impressive passing offense in 2011.

However, still, the Titans are in need of a No. 2 complement to Britt in 2012, while Nate Washington can act as a reliable slot man. Wright may only be 5'10", 190 pounds, but he is lightning quick, has excellent top speed, can really stretch a defense and isn't afraid to block in the running game.

Now, had it not been for his quarterback, Robert Griffin III, we may not be considering Wright as a first-rounder either. After all, he had solid production from 2008 through 2010, but went off in 2011.

There, Wright caught 108 passes for 1,663 yards and scored 14 touchdowns. The Titans could have Wright opposite Britt with Washington in the slot to really force a defense on its heels.

Then, running back Chris Johnson can takeover and start the season off great, unlike 2011. Considering that the Titans still finished with the No. 12 passing offense, drafting Wright would propel them to the cusp of the top five, if not higher.

Not to mention Wright would give Tennessee a major advantage in the AFC South when it comes to passing offense.

2012 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

1. Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB (Stanford)	17. Cincinnati Bengals (From OAK): Trent Richardson, RB (Alabama)
2. Washington Redskins: (From STL): Robert Griffin III, QB (Baylor)	18. San Diego Chargers: Alshon Jeffery, WR (South Carolina)
3. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Kalil, OT (USC)	19. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Allen, TE (Clemson)
4. Cleveland Browns: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)	20. Tennessee Titans: Kendall Wright, WR (Baylor)
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morris Claiborne, CB (LSU)	21. Cincinnati Bengals: Cordy Glenn, OG (Georgia)
6. St. Louis Rams (From WAS): Riley Reiff, OT (Iowa)	22. Cleveland Browns (From ATL): Courtney Upshaw, LB (Alabama)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michael Floyd, WR (Notre Dame)	23. Detroit Lions: Quinton Coples, DE (North Carolina)
8. Miami Dolphins: David DeCastro, G (Stanford)	24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams, OT (Ohio State)
9. Carolina Panthers: Nick Perry, DE (USC)	25. Denver Broncos: Stephon Gilmore, CB (South Carolina)
10. Buffalo Bills: Dre Kirkpatrick, CB (Alabama)	26. Houston Texans: Dontari Poe, DT (Memphis)
11. Kansas City Chiefs: Melvin Ingram, LB (South Carolina)	27. New England Patriots (From NO): Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois)
12. Seattle Seahawks: Devon Still, DT (Penn State)	28. Green Bay Packers: Zach Brown, LB (North Carolina)
13. Arizona Cardinals: Jonathan Martin, OT (Stanford)	29. Baltimore Ravens: Dont'a Hightower, LB (Alabama)
14. Dallas Cowboys: Janoris Jenkins, CB (Northern Alabama)	30. San Francisco 49ers: Mark Barron, S (Alabama)
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Luke Kuechly, LB (Boston College)	31. New England Patriots: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)
16. New York Jets: Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)	32. New York Giants: Coby Fleener, TE (Stanford)

John Rozum on Twitter.