NFL Draft 2012: Justin Blackmon vs. Alshon Jeffery

While Justin Blackmon's stock has skyrocketed to the top of draft boards, it seems as though South Carolina's star Alshon Jeffery has fallen by the wayside.

It's time to compare the two prospects and find out which one is the next AJ Green and which isn't.

It's quite possible they're both successful in the NFL, but let's compare and find out which player is truly better.

Blackmon vs. Jeffery. Here we go.

Speed

Jeffery: Jeffery's lowest 40-time was 4.46 and he's projected to run 0.1 seconds slower in the combine at 4.56. He utilizes his speed well, pushing defenders vertically on his deeper routes.

Blackmon: Blackmon, too, has his lowest 40-time in the 4.4's, running his fastest at 4.45, but he's projected to run a 4.54 at the combine. For Blackmon, it seems as though he's faster with his pads on, running by defenders and racing past safeties to the end zone.

Advantage: Justin Blackmon

It's a close one, but Blackmon is a few hairs faster than Jeffery and is able to more effectively utilize his speed in-game.

Size

Jeffery: Jeffery is 6'4" and 230 pounds and his big size well to make huge plays down field over smaller defensive backs.

Blackmon: Blackmon is quite smaller at 6'1" and 215 pounds and, as sometimes has to compensate with other aspects of his game in order to make plays.

Advantage: Alshon Jeffery

One of Jeffery's best assets is his huge size and he is a big target for quarterbacks to hit all over the field. Thanks to his big frame, Jeffery is able to box out corners and win matchup.

Route Running

Jeffery: Jeffery's route tree hasn't been tested much this year. If he's not running a streak, he's probably running a post or corner. Maybe Jeffery is a good route runner, but Steve Spurrier might know something we don't regarding Jeffery's ability to run crisp routes.

Blackmon: On the contrary, Blackmon runs the full route tree and runs it with a good degree of skill and ability. We've seen the Oklahoma State wideout go over the middle, make sideline catches and just do work against one-on-one coverage. He's not amazing, but he gets the job done.

Advantage: Justin Blackmon

It's not even close—Blackmon makes quick cuts in and out of his breaks and he is able to create space between himself and the corner.

Jeffery doesn't run the full route tree and will have trouble running top-notch routes against NFL corners.

Hands

Jeffery: Jeffery has some of the most reliable hands in all of college football, making catches all over the field and hauling in any football in his area code. Consider: Jeffery only had one drop all of last year.

Blackmon: Blackmon, on the other hand, doesn't have great hands. He's dropped sure touchdowns before and has trouble hanging on to tough passes, especially while being hit.

Advantage: Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery has soft hands and makes smooth receptions. He's a reliable target and catches the ball with his hands. I'd trust Jeffery to come down with the ball more than I'd trust Blackmon.

Production

Jeffery: Jeffery produces to a degree. He's no Heisman Trophy-type, but he gets his catches and puts up reasonable numbers. This year, Jeffery has a solid 45 catches for 614 yards and seven touchdowns.

Blackmon: Blackmon is a monster when it comes to racking up yardage, receptions and touchdowns. The Oklahoma State Cowboy has 103 catches for 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Advantage: Justin Blackmon

Blackmon is one of the most productive receivers in college football's recent memory and he definitely puts up the best numbers of anyone in the game today.

Level of Competition

Jeffery: Playing in the SEC forces Jeffery to face top-notch competition week-in and week-out. The South Carolina pass-catcher has gone up against teams like Georgia, Auburn, Miss. State, Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida, all the while being the No. 1 target.

Blackmon: Blackmon, on the other hand, didn't face great competition this year. Granted, he went up against Texas A&M, Texas and Kansas, but it's nowhere near the SEC gauntlet.

Advantage: Alshon Jeffery

Surviving a season against top-level, SEC defensive backs and still putting up respectable numbers is something to be said.

Body Control

Jeffery: Jeffery makes nice plays in the air, utilizing his size and jumping ability to beat cornerbacks and haul in spectacular catches. He's a very solid player in terms of his ability to go up above a defender and maintain possession.

Blackmon: If I had to grade out Blackmon's traits, he'd be an A+ in body control in the air. He has mastered the art of the spectacular catch and he knows how to make fantastic plays with an uncanny knowledge of the out of bounds marker.

Advantage: Justin Blackmon

Blackmon's best trait is his body control and Jeffery, while good, doesn't come close in this category.

Off-the-Field Issues

Jeffery: It was falsely reported that Jeffery had been involved in a bar fight this past July. Other than that, his reputation has been squeaky clean.

Blackmon: Blackmon has a DUI charge on his resume thus far.

Advantage: Alshon Jeffery

Blackmon hasn't done much, but Jeffery seems like a bit safer of a bet off-field.

What the Scouts Say

We're tied going into the last slide. Dead even.

Instead of allowing a teachable trait (sorry, run blocking) determine the victor, I'll defer to football minds better than my own to make this pick.

Jeffery: "A boom or bust prospect if I ever saw one. Has elite hands but will struggle mightily to create separation in the NFL." (OGDraft)

Blackmon: "Good overall size. Elite strength. A physical receiver who can easily fight through press coverage at the line of scrimmage. Big, strong hands. Shows the ability make the tough catch in the traffic." (Yardbarker)

Advantage: Justin Blackmon

Winner: Justin Blackmon

There's a reason that Blackmon is moving up and Jeffery is moving down. It was close though, so don't sleep on Jeffery.