2012 NFL Mock Draft: Justin Blackmon Leads a Deep Wide Receiver Draft Class
This upcoming NFL draft has a lot of “can’t-miss” prospects. From the potential No. 1 selection of Stanford’s quarterback Andrew Luck to the Indianapolis Colts, to the deep pool of receiving talent that is led by Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon. There are a lot of players that can help improve their teams immediately.
Blackmon is the best receiver that is going to enter this year’s NFL draft. His 6'1", 215-pound frame makes him a physical monster that is hard to cover in the secondary. This year, Blackmon isn’t even having his best year while at Oklahoma State. However, that’s not to take away Blackmon’s 103 catches, 1,241 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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In Blackmon’s sophomore year, his 111 receptions, 1,782 yards and 20 touchdowns made him stand out as one of the best receivers in the NCAA. If he could have left Oklahoma State for the NFL last year, he would have been one of the top receivers drafted.
With teams like St. Louis, Philadelphia and Cleveland all needing a wide receiver, this year’s NFL draft will see a high influx of receivers in the Top 10.
If a team like Cleveland or Philadelphia cannot get the No. 2 spot in the NFL draft, that does not mean they will not get an elite level talent.
Michael Floyd, Notre Dame
Floyd has been the best player on this year’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish team. He ranks in the Top 25 in the NCAA in reception yards with 1,106 this year. His eight touchdowns and 95 receptions have held him back from being among the leaders in the NCAA.
However, if Floyd was playing with an elite level quarterback at Notre Dame, he would see his numbers increase substantially.
With Floyd going to a team like Philadelphia, he will see his full potential shine with a quarterback like Michael Vick.
Floyd and Philadelphia will be a perfect fit for each other. He will be the perfect replacement when DeSean Jackson leaves because of free agency.
Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
Jeffery is having a down year. However, it is because he has seen a big turnover at the quarterback position at South Carolina.
When Alshon had a full year playing with Stephen Garcia, he put up 88 receptions, 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns. This year, he only has 45 receptions and 614 yards. However, he still has found a way to catch seven touchdowns.
Jeffery is one of the bigger receiving prospects this year. With his 6'4", 229-pound body, it makes him almost impossible to cover with just a cornerback. He demands double coverage from a defense when he is on the field.
If he would go to a team like Cleveland, it would give quarterback Colt McCoy a go-to receiver that he has never had in his NFL career.
These three juniors will lead this year's draft class in the wide receiver category. They will improve whatever team they will land on and will make the 2012 NFL draft one of the best in the league’s history.
*Draft order determined by combination of current record and projected finish.
| 1. | Indianapolis Colts (0-11) | Andrew Luck, QB |
| 2. | St. Louis Rams (2-9) | Justin Blackmon, WR |
| 3. | Carolina Panthers (3-8) | Quinton Coples, DE |
| 4. | Miami Dolphins (3-8) | Matt Barkley, QB |
| 5. | Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) | Trent Richardson, RB |
| 6. | Arizona Cardinals (3-8) | Matt Kalil, OT |
| 7. | Minnesota Vikings (2-9) | Jonathan Martin, OT |
| 8. | Cleveland Browns (4-7) | Alshon Jeffery, WR |
| 9. | Washington Redskins (4-7) | Robert Griffin III, QB |
| 10. | Seattle Seahawks (4-7) | Morris Claiborne, CB |
| 11. | Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) | Michael Floyd, WR |
| 12. | San Diego Chargers (4-7) | Dre Kirkpatrick, CB |
| 13. | Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) | Riley Reiff, OT |
| 14. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) | Alfonzo Dennard, CB |
| 15. | Buffalo Bills (5-6) | Landry Jones, QB |
| 16. | Tennessee Titans (6-5) | Vontaze Burfict, LB |
| 17. | Denver Broncos (6-5) | Lamar Miller, RB |
| 18. | Chicago Bears (7-4) | Peter Konz, C |
| 19. | Detroit Lions (7-4) | Luke Kuechly, LB |
| 20. | New York Jets (6-5) | David DeCastro, OG |
| 21. | New York Giants (6-5) | Zach Brown, LB |
| 22. | Cincinnati Bengals (via OAK) (7-4) | Cordy Glenn, OG |
| 23. | Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) | Janoris Jenkins, CB |
| 24. | Cleveland Browns (via ATL) (7-4) | Jarvin Jones, LB |
| 25. | Houston Texans (8-3) | Mark Barron, S |
| 26. | Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) |
Dont'a Hightower, LB |
| 27. | Dallas Cowboys (7-4) | Devon Still, DT |
| 28. | New England (via NO 8-3) | Chase Minnifield, CB |
| 29. | Baltimore Ravens (8-3) | Courtney Upshaw, DE |
| 30. | San Francisco 49ers (9-2) | Kendall Wright, WR |
| 31. | New England Patriots (8-3) | Mohamed Sanu, WR |
| 32. | Green Bay Packers (11-0) | Brandon Thompson, DT |
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