Justin Blackmon: Teams That Should Steer Clear of Star WR in 2012 NFL Draft

Justin Blackmon is going to be a star wide receiver in the NFL, but there are some teams at the top of the 2012 NFL draft that would be smart to go in a different direction.

The New England Patriots have proven year after year that you can win consistently in this league without the benefit of a star receiver. They have won three championships without one, and they've done so with a balanced approach.

One player won't make the difference for a team that needs help all over the field and this year's draft class is chock full of serviceable wide receivers.

Here are three teams at the top of the draft that need to steer clear of Blackmon.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams could certainly use Blackmon's skills on the perimeter of their offense, but they have bigger fish to fry.

Besides, per NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, they're reportedly really high on defensive tackle prospect Fletcher Cox out of Mississippi State and could shock everyone by taking him instead with the No. 6 overall pick.

This would be a brilliant move by Jeff Fisher.

The Rams were atrocious in the middle of their defense last year, and though Chris Long made major strides towards becoming one of the NFL's elite defensive ends, he needs help to make their defense strong enough to compete in the ever-improving NFC West.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars definitely need to improve their pathetic wide receiving corps. That being said, they need to go in a different direction with the No. 7 overall pick.

Blaine Gabbert could have Jerry Rice out there on the field with him and still fail to perform well in 2012 without the proper protection. The Jaguars need to address their deficiency on the offensive line first and then attack their need for a wide receiver later on in the draft.

They should therefore select Riley Reiff to solidify their offensive line. He would be an instant upgrade over Eben Britton and would start on the right side with Eugene Monroe protecting Gabbert's blind side.

The chances of this scenario actually happening are likely slim, but they would be foolish to take a playmaker without first addressing their need for protection.

The best-case scenario would be for the Jags to trade down a few and still land Reiff or take Jonathan Martin or Cordy Glenn instead.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills have reportedly had Blackmon in for a visit (per ProFootball.Scout.com) and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take him with the No. 10 overall pick.

What they should do instead is draft cornerback Stephon Gilmore out of South Carolina.

The Bills already have playmakers on offense. Steve Johnson is a terrific young receiver who is good enough to be their No. 1 guy and David Nelson is an underrated receiver who's more than capable of occupying the No. 2 spot.

The Bills need to be able to stop the New England Patriots on offense, first and foremost, if they're to compete with them in the AFC East. They already gave themselves a fighting chance by hauling in Mario Williams and Mark Anderson via free agency. 

Taking Gilmore would give them one of the most talented young groups of defensive backs in the NFL, as he'd start opposite Drayton Florence, allowing Aaron Williams to be their nickel back.

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