Justin Blackmon: Jaguars Are Worst Possible Destination for Talented Receiver

The Jacksonville Jaguars needed a receiver and got the best one on the board. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect fit for Justin Blackmon.

There were a few possible landing spots for the highly-rated receiver coming into the draft. The Minnesota Vikings listed him as one of three finalists for the No. 3 pick, along with cornerback Morris Claiborne and tackle Matt Kalil. 

After that pick, Blackmon could have gone to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams or Carolina Panthers, not to mention any team that wanted to trade up.

However, he landed in a place that could hinder his ability to become a truly elite player.

Jacksonville drafted a franchise quarterback last season in Blaine Gabbert, but his low completion percentage and high interception rate are not good signs for his future.

Even if Gabbert improves, the rest of the Jaguars offense is not set up to help the new rookie.

Blackmon had a productive collegiate career at Oklahoma State in a spread offense, where defenses could not double-team him because it would always leave someone open.

On his new team, there are no receiving targets that would warrant any attention, and Blackmon could face extra coverage right from the start.

He does not have the height or athleticism of elite receiving threats like Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald, which might have allowed him to beat defenders to jump balls.

If he was taken by a team like Carolina with a legitimate No. 1 receiver, Blackmon would be free to use his great route-running ability to run wild.

Extra defensive attention without any help from his offense will not be a recipe for success in his early career.