Blackmon soaring up the draft boards
It’s a bit starling to see Justin Blackmon’s name on these mock draft boards.
No. 9 by Scouts Inc.’s Todd McShay.
I mean, we all know that the former Oklahoma State wide receiver is a superstar. We saw it with our own eyes these past couple of seasons. This past fall, in particular, you could just see how Blackmon was playing at a different level, a higher level than the other 21 players on the field.
It was the whole man-among-boys phenomenon.
And yet, to see him as a consensus top-10 draft pick with a legitimate shot at being a top-three pick?
It’s wild.
Blackmon, in my mind, will always be the kid from Plainview High. He was a small-school standout, but despite some eye-popping stats, he was still lightly recruited. He definitely wasn’t the marquee player in the Cowboys’ 2008 recruiting class. On Signing Day 2008, here’s what we wrote about Blackmon’s possible long-term impact:
After he adds some weight, he could blossom into a 205-pound target with good speed.
He blossomed all right … into a pass-catching, game-changing, defense-terrorizing monster.
And now, he is on the verge of pro-football riches and draft-day notoriety.
Being the second or third player picked in the draft would be amazing end to a meteoric rise. Players who’ve been selected in those spots during the past few years include Von Miller (No. 2, 2011), Ndamukong Suh (No. 2, 2010), Jason Smith (No. 2, 2009), Chris Long (No. 2, 2008) and Matt Ryan (No. 3, 2008). Those guys have all had big-time impacts even in a short amount of time.
Blackmon could have a similar imprint on whatever team selects him.
Even if he “falls” to the eighth or ninth, there are still plenty of impact players who’ve been picked in that neck of the draft woods. Three years ago, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree was drafted 10th by the San Francisco 49ers. This weekend, he’ll be playing for a spot in the Super Bowl.
It’s pretty awe-inspiring to consider where Blackmon’s career may be headed.
And the truth is, he gave himself this opportunity. He committed himself to the workouts and the conditioning regimen when he first arrived in Stillwater, adding the strength and the speed to the skill that he already had. He made the most of practice, including those days on the scout team when he was catching passes from some third-string quarterback named Brandon Weeden. Turned out to pay pretty big dividends, huh?
I hate to sound like those commentators on TV who say, “Now, young players need to watch how this player does this”, but the truth is, there’s a great lesson in what Blackmon has done. Here it is, kids — Blackmon put in the work to make this whole thing possible.
Who knows where Blackmon will ultimately land? St. Louis? Minnesota? Jacksonville? But no matter what NFL hamlet he ends up calling home, this much is sure.
He’ll have earned his spot there.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Jenni, I’m not convinced. I don’t have access to any database to confirm it, but I’m pretty sure that, up until Broyles’ injury on Nov 5th, he was having the better season. I distinctly remember reading an article mentioning that he was leading a Biletnikoff ‘straw poll’ as well and likely would have won the award.
A bit too much myopia and local bias in some of your viewpoints. Actually, if your angle is physical talent (NFL projection) and NOT production (stats), and you want to mention the REAL WR “clearly separating himself from the rest of the college football world” you need to look at one Sammy Watkins at Clemson.
***
G:
You brought up statistics, not me. I am talking about the guy that clearly separated himself from the rest of the college football world — and the longer the season went on, the more it became obvious that Blackmon was that guy.
I never heard national folks rave about anyone this past season as much as Blackmon. Go look around. You’ll not find anyone (Watkins, Broyles, etc.) who was praised more than Blackmon. And the praise was completely and totally justified.
Jenni
Way to tell it Jenni, it’s amazing how OU fans are “kennel blind”. I guess that’s what makes them what they are.
My main point was that Broyles was on track to win the Biletnikoff and was having the better season until he went down to injury. Blackmon had that incredible, unforgivable gaffe against A&M (could have cost his team the game!) and I personally watched another game when Blackmon was not mentally engaged early on and had multiple drops (can’t remember the opponent). This is fact, not opinion. Meanwhile Broyles’ season was absolutely flawless to that point and was statistically superior to Blackmon at that time. Then he went down to injury. Period. End of Story 
If you wrote your blog on November 4th it would not have held up under scrutiny. That’s all I’m saying.
Geez, the print media always has the last word. No wonder coaches and playes (Travis Lewis anybody?) don’t like to say anything remotely controversial. haha
***
G:
No one ever said you couldn’t have your opinion, but no one ever said I could stand up for my opinions either.
Always good to have the back-and-forth.
Jenni
G,
You state that “[Broyles] was leading a Biletnikoff ‘straw poll’ as well and likely would have won the award.” By your logic, since she won the ‘straw poll’ in Iowa, Michele Bachmann will likely be our next President.
You also state that Clemson’s Sammy Watkins is the best example of a “REAL WR” dripping with NFL physical talent but lacking in production. But, in each of their first 9 games, the production of Broyles and Watkins was strikingly similar. Watkins was also a true freshman, meaning that his current NFL projection is still unclear. While lame nonetheless, your argument would hold more water by citing South Carolina’s Alshon Jeffrey, who will be drafted in the first round despite have sub-standard production this year.
***
John:
Ooo, I love watching Alshon play. If South Carolina could’ve ever figured out it’s QB situation, he’d have really been a terror.
Jenni
Broyles excellent player no doubt about it but his receptions and yards per catch where mostly quick short passes where Blackmon catches were down field….
Broyles was a smallish pass catcher that could carry Blackmon’s warmups. Most recievers couldn’t even do that.
Blackmon will be an NFL All Pro and will have a great professional carreer for many years to come.
Broyles will also have a great carreer….in Canada.
Broyles was an exceptional college receiver, but stats alone don’t equate to outcomes. That’s the mistake OU fans and coaches and many others made in sizing up the OSU defense. Yes, in yards given up they ranked past 100 in Div. 1-A but the outcomes of games weren’t equating to that measurement. The importance of Broyles to OU was obvious after he went down but he in no way was headed toward a Belitnekoff award any more than he was last year when the arguments were exactly the same. How did that one turn out?
Nice try, but this article gives only superficial treatment to how he elevated his game to a superstar level. Working hard in practice? Most players do. How about some real analysis? The problem with blogging is that it too often means quick, unfocused, and shallow.
Broyles was on his way to another 120+ reception season and was going to blow(even more so) the reception record out of the water doing what recievers do and thats catching balls.
I do not know how many times this year I saw Blackmon going in for a touchdown, untouched, only to have the ball fly out of his hands for a touchback, how long do you think they will put up with that in the NFL? Yes, you’re surely right, he will defintly separate himself from other recievers.
Yes Broyles fumbled once in the endzone when he slammed the ball down into the ground reaching for a touchdown!
Don’t forget, look at the production that Broyals gave Stills and others just because they had to double cover him. This should be obvious since Stills and Co were no where to be found after broyals’ injury.
He reminds me of Wes Welker when he first came out. I always liked Welker. He was passed from team to team, when finally he ended up with The Pats, probably every offensive player out there would want to play for The Pats. You think the Pats enjoy having someone who can catch and hold on to the ball 130 times a season? I think Broyles is actually a better route runner than Welker at this stage as well. BTW, was undrafted.
4× Pro Bowl (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
4× All-Pro (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
3× NFL receptions leader (2007 (tied), 2009, 2011)
AFC receiving yards leader (2011)
Mosi Tatupu Award Winner (2003)
New England Patriots 12th Player Award (2007)
Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award (2008)
2× Ed Block Courage Award (2007, 2010)
Longest reception in NFL history (tied, 99 yards)
New England Patriots All-2000s Team
It might actually be blessing not to be taken early. Atleast he might end up on a winning team, say like our friend Welker.
sorry, Wes Welker gets around 120 catches a year when he is healthy and playing withthe pats, not 130. My bad.
JB is going to run about a 4.55 40 and his recent rise will settle south a bit. He’s a first-rounder for sure; but he’ll be somewhere closer to the middle rather than the top.
That’s not to bash his collegiate career. He was awesome and he’ll probably be a great pro. But his lack of speed will cost him being a top three pick.
The fact that a few readers actually took the time to complain that Blackmon was getting too much credit is unbelievable. Good lord folks, Broyles was having a great year, but this had nothing to do with the article.
She was simply talking about Blackmon rising on the draft boards, which he is. If you can’t admit
MarkW and everyone else: I have no beef with saying that Blackmon is a great receiver. But Jenni makes him out to be head-and-shoulders above everyone else out there. That is just not the case. He is excellent, but he is no Calvin Johnson- or Randy Moss-type freak of nature that stood out above all the other WR’s. Blackmon is not the Barry Sanders or Adrian Peterson version of the WR position.
As for Broyles, all he did was run great routes, get open, and catch everything that was thrown his way. What more can you ask of a WR? He would have won the Biletnikoff if not for his injury.
***
G_Houston:
I wasn’t comparing Blackmon to anyone in the NFL. I was comparing him to other college receivers.
Jenni
The questions:
can Broyles be as good as Steve Smith or DeSean Jackson (the smurf types) versus: How much better will Blackmon be that Anquan Boldin.
I am A Rams fan. They would be committing football suicide by passing on this guy.
You know what? I am a pac-10-12 guy for 40 years. This guy is a better player/prospect than both Luck and Kalil. Watch film. Watch sports science on Blackmon. I thought Crabtree was dominant-he went #10 with a broken foot. This guy is better. Just ask the guys covering him on Staford when they knew he was getting t ball. Look at film of him versus Prince Amakumura-domination. People seem to have to be contrarian to make up stuff that is negative about his game. I don’t really see much. He seems to run away from defenders the farther Downfield he goes. He caught 230+ plus balls and 40 touchdowns in his career and averaged 1600 yards. I like hose numbers. And his team very nearly played for the national championship. He is as close to a can’t miss at WR in a few years. I can very easily see him catching 80 balls and scoring 10 touchdowns his rookie year. That is 60 points-pencil it in.
Sorry about the spell check. He may run 4.55, or 4.4. He works hard. But, Jerry Rice ran a 4.5+ and so did/does Larry Fitzgerald. Darius Heyward Bey ran a 4.3 and he is #3 with the Raiders. For those of you who are fans who have knowledge and watch film, the Rams coveted this guy last year after he won HIS FIRST OF TWO Biletnikoff awards. He was thinking about declaring and they wanted him at 14 or were willing to trade up. Since he was not there, they went with a DE and WR’s in the third and fourth and you see how that worked out. The fans and the owner will not let that happen again. The Rams wide receivers had FOUR (4) touchdowns all year until they traded for Lloyd and they ended up with 9 total. That will not get it done. Blackmon had 20 two years ago and 18 + 3 three in the Fiesta Bowl last year. Broyles is slotted anywhere from the third to the fifth round due to waiting on how his knee heals. Do yourself a favor and watch Sports Science on Justin Blackmon.
Broyles is a great kid and had a great college carreer but he is a little light in the britches to succeed in the NFL. Landry and Broyles were masters of the bubble screen in the Big 12 but that won’t fly in the big league. On the other hand Blackmon lifts weights like a lineman and throws off tacklers like a cheap sweater vest! The Rams will jump at taking Blackmon in the draft while Broyles watches the draft at home…alone.
***
Stillwater Bob:
I doubt Broyles will be watching the draft alone. He’s a good guy with a solid family and lots of friends. Just because you (and I) don’t think he’s as good a receiver as Blackmon doesn’t mean he’s a loser or something. Let’s talk football and keep the personal attacks out of it.
Jenni
Late to comment, but I agree with some of the early posters that around the middle of the season, Broyles was having a better season. Blackmon had some serious mental gaffes, and they were throwing downfield less than in the previous year. However, Blackmon really picked up his game in the second half of the season when some other receivers were out with injuries. I think Blackmon would have passed Broyles to win the Biletnikoff even if Broyles hadn’t gotten injured, although they might have given it to Broyles for an outstanding career. Both Blackmon and Broyles are great receivers, and both will have long and productive careers in the NFL.
“I do not know how many times this year I saw Blackmon going in for a touchdown, untouched, only to have the ball fly out of his hands for a touchback…”
Uh, little willie, you saw it once. It only happened once. Not too difficult to figure out. Of course, you probably replayed it hundreds of times …
Edited by editor.
Sorry Jenni, your point is well taken. My facisious remark was meant as a rebuttal to G’s initial response to your well written blog on Mr. Blackmon. I was only attempting to throw a ridiculous remark back at G to get his reaction. Ryan Broyles will obviously go high in the draft and have a great NFL carreer.
Statistically they were in a dead heat through 9 games. To suggest one is “significantly better” than the other is just untrue. Blackmon is a beast. Broyles was near unstoppable. Different types of WR’s but they both were very, very good.
Stats through 9 games
Broyles: 83 REC; 1,157 YARDS; 10 TD
Blackmon: 87 REC; 1,039 YARDS; 12 TD
***
JG:
By the end of the season, Blackmon had seperated himself from EVERYONE. Yes, Broyles got hurt. Yes, that changed the equation. But we can’t go back and change that. We can only reflect on what was, not what might have been.
When the season was over, no receiver in college football could hold a candle to Blackmon.
Jenni
Missing from ANY of these comments is any mention of JB’s downfield blocking ability. He was far and away the best in CFB at that this season. That ability adds a strong dimension to a team’s running game. As good as Broyles was as getting open for possession catches, he is very limited as a blocker. I can’t think of any other receiver in recent times with JB’s run blocking skills…not Crabtree, or AJ Green, or Julio Jones, or Larry Fitzgerald. Whatever NFL team gets him will be getting a real gem.
Showing some grit there and proud of you for that. We OU fans love Ryan Broyles and I can find no fault in Justin either, he is a champion. Think how it would have been with both of them on the same team. Wow, and it almost happened. Can you spell National Championship. They should of had the opportunity anyway. Dang that Alabama, OSU could have beat LSU, I’m positive.
This piece has some 20-20 hindsight revisionism in it. Quotes like “…Blackmon was playing at a different level, a higher level than the other 21 players on the field.” and “It was the whole man-among-boys phenomenon.”
Yet despite all this hype from the sportswriter, it was actually the WR Ryan Broyles (not Blackmon) who was having the better season and leading the national Biletnikoff award polls — until he went down to a season ending knee injury. Meanwhile, Blackmon was dropping balls and hotdogging his way out of surefire touchdowns all the while Broyles was quietly catching everything thrown his way.
Sure, Blackmon is the better talent and the NFL “can’t miss prospect,” but Jenni let’s set the record straight here.
***
G:
You won’t find a bigger Broyles fan than me, but even before Broyles’ injury, Blackmon was the one clearly separating himself from the rest of the college football world in a way that no other receiver was.
He is a beast. Period. End of story.
Jenni