Mocking Justin Blackmon’s possible draft destinations
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said during a national teleconference last week that there’s no way Justin Blackmon slips past the Jaguars’ No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft.
But where’s the best fit for JB?
Here’s how I would rank the teams picking second through seventh–we already know the Colts will take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick–based on several factors ranging from the quarterback to the city itself. These rankings could change depending on what pieces teams add or lose during free agency, and I’ll revisit them once we get closer to the draft on April 26.
1. St. Louis (No. 2 pick)
Quarterback
My colleague Jenni Carlson was the first to throw the Bradford2Blackmon combination my way while Blackmon was having a ridiculous performance in the Fiesta Bowl. I know Cowboy fans probably aren’t huge fans of Bradford because of his Sooner roots, but that’s got a nice ring to it, right?
Bradford struggled in a 2011 season where he was hampered by a sprained ankle. He ranked 31st in the NFL in completion percentage (53.5) and 29th in quarterback rating (70.5) and threw just six touchdown passes in 10 games.
But it is borderline silly to write Bradford off already, especially considering he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and nearly led the Rams to the NFC West title in 2010.
Supporting cast
Bradford and the Rams need a lot of help. No Ram played in this season’s Pro Bowl. Enough said.
That’s why it’s an attractive option for the Rams to trade down, especially with a team looking to snag Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III with the second pick.
If the Rams stay at No. 2, adding USC left tackle Matt Kalil is the other logical choice. Bradford was sacked 36 times in 10 games last season.
Steven Jackson is still a solid running back, gaining 1,145 yards last season. But the Rams are thin at wide receiver and could use an exciting playmaker. That, of course, is why Blackmon is one of their targets.
Franchise
As noted above, the Rams nearly won a woeful NFC West in 2010 but haven’t made the playoffs since 2004.
And after this past season’s 2-14 debacle, coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Bill Devaney were replaced with Jeff Fisher and Les Snead, respectively. Fisher is a proven coach and a solid hire.
City
Playing for the Rams would keep Blackmon in Middle America, but St. Louis is absolutely a baseball town. Having Blackmon in blue and gold, along with Bradford, would make the Rams quite popular in Oklahoma, though.
2. Tampa Bay (No. 5 pick)
Quarterback
What the heck happened to Josh Freeman? One season after throwing just six interceptions, he tossed 22 as the Buccaneers’ record plummeted from 10-6 in 2010 to 5-11 in 2011.
Still, Freeman is a promising young quarterback with a strong arm and great mobility.
Supporting cast
The Bucs have some young pieces in place in running back LaGarrette Blount and wide receiver Mike Williams. Offensive lineman Davin Joseph was a Pro Bowler this season.
Tampa Bay has the cap room to add a No. 1 receiver through free agency — perhaps someone like Dwayne Bowe or Vincent Jackson. If that happens, drafting Blackmon won’t be necessary.
Franchise
Raheem Morris was fired as head coach after the Bucs ended the season on a 10-game losing streak and was replaced with former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. Tampa Bay last made the playoffs in 2007.
City
While college football tends to dominate the state, Florida football fans are certainly knowledgeable and passionate. The beaches and sunshine in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area would be a nice perk.
3. Minnesota (No. 3 pick)
Quarterback
The Vikings spent the No. 12 overall pick in last year’s draft on Christian Ponder, and in 2011 he looked a lot like a rookie quarterback. He ranked 29th in the NFL in completion percentage (54.3) and 30th in quarterback rating (70.1).
It’s obviously too early to call Ponder a bust, but he needs to develop. A normal offseason, rather than a lockout-shortened one, should help that.
Supporting cast
Minnesota has some dynamic weapons in Adrian Peterson (970 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns before the knee injury) and Percy Harvin (967 receiving yards, 345 rushing yards).
But, like the Rams, the Vikings could use a left tackle. That makes Kalil an option with the No. 3 pick, especially if the Rams trade out of the No. 2 pick with a team that takes RG3.
Franchise
The Vikings last made the playoffs in 2009, when Brett Favre was slinging the ball around. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported last week that the city of Minneapolis and the Vikings have reached a preliminary agreement on a deal that will divide the costs to — finally — build a new stadium.
City
Minneapolis-St. Paul was rated the No. 14 sports town in America by the Sporting News but is known to have fair-weathered Vikings fans.
It also gets a wee bit chilly up there in the winter. Not a worry when playing football indoors, but can be a bit of a hassle in everyday life.
4. Washington (No. 6 pick)
Quarterback
This much we know — Rex Grossman will not be the Redskins’ starter in 2011. Neither will John Beck.
But who will?
You have to figure Washington will push hard for Peyton Manning. If he signs elsewhere, Matt Flynn and Kyle Orton would also be options.
If the Redskins try to add a quarterback through the draft, they’d almost certainly explore trading up to No. 2 to take RG3. Washington has also been a widely discussed destination for fellow former Cowboy Brandon Weeden.
Simply put, the attractiveness of Washington would skyrocket if Manning is the quarterback.
Supporting cast
Washington needs upgrades on the line and at receiver. But figuring out its quarterback situation is priority No. 1.
Franchise
Dan Snyder is still the owner. Mike Shanahan is still the coach.
Hey, at least the Redskins beat the Super Bowl champion Giants twice in 2011?
City
Life in the nation’s capital would be a lot different than life in Ardmore or Stillwater for Blackmon, but it could be a fun change. Redskins fans, who haven’t seen a playoff appearance since 2007, are frustrated but passionate and loyal.
5. Cleveland (No. 4 pick)
Quarterback
This is the biggest offseason question for the Browns, which is why they are the most likely team to trade up with the Rams to get the No. 2 pick and ensure it can snag RG3. There’s also a decent chance Griffin will still be there when the Browns pick at No. 4
If the Browns select Blackmon, or any player other than Griffin, at No. 4, it likely means either another team traded up to get RG3 at No. 2 or the Browns added a quarterback in free agency. Flynn and Orton seem like the most reasonable options, but Manning, of course, will likely be available, too.
Supporting cast
Greg Little and Josh Cribbs combined for 102 receptions, more than 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in 2011. Running back Peyton Hillis is a free agent. Offensive lineman Joe Thomas made the Pro Bowl this past season.
Franchise
The Browns are in the middle of the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL, making their last postseason appearance in 2002. But team president Mike Holmgren is one of the most respected minds in football.
City
All Cleveland jokes aside, the Browns are known for having some of the most rabid fans in the NFL. OK, now you can insert jokes about Cleveland.
6. Jacksonville (No. 7 pick)
Quarterback
Blaine Gabbert’s rookie season was, simply put, a disaster. He had the worst quarterback rating of any starter in the NFL (65.4) and ranked 32nd in completion percentage (50.8). He was also sacked 40 times.
Supporting cast
Maurice Jones-Drew is the league’s premier running back, as he racked up 1,606 yards in 2011. But the Jags really need wide receiver help, which is why Mayock believes this pick is the lowest Blackmon could drop.
Franchise
It’s a new era in Jacksonville, as the team was sold to businessman Shahid Khan in January. Former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was hired to replace Jack del Rio, who was fired after eight-plus seasons in November.
City
Even in football-crazed Florida, tarps covering empty seats and television blackouts have become common in Jacksonville. The lack of fan support has caused rumblings in recent years that the team may be on its way out, perhaps to Los Angeles, but Khan has said he wants to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
But did we mention that Florida has lots of beaches and sunshine?
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Comments
As a Cowboy fan living in Tampa Bay would love to see Blackmon in a Bucs uniform!
Freeman to Blackmon has got a better ring than Bradford to Blackmon
[...] Gina Mizell takes a look at possible destinations for Blackmon in the NFL Draft. I’m rooting for St. Louis (I like Bradford) or Tampa Bay. (NewsOK) [...]
He could possibly go anywhere, depending on how people use their draft picks, if they trade them for players etc. I think a good fit for him would be New Orleans or San Fran. Denver, Baltimore and San Diego are good choices also. I think it’s fair that crummy teams get the good draft picks, but I don’t like it that players have so little say in where they go to play.
Or you could be spoiled, like poor little Eli Manning and whine and throw a fit until you get traded from the team that drafted you……then you have a choice
good point alex. nobody ever says that when the tarps are removed, the capacity is 84k, making it the largest stadium in the nfl.
JUSTIN WILL MAKE A GREAT PLAYER WHERE EVER HE GOES. IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE HIM CLOSE TO OKLAHOMA THOUGH.
Does anyone ever check their facts about Jacksonville. The Jaguars have not ha a tv blackout the past two seasons. And a far as tarps covering seats in the stadium, the stadium was built big enough to support the Florida v Georgia game. Also, even with seats covered Everbank Field has a higher capacity than the renovated soldier’s field. I understand it is easy to pick on a relatively unknown cit but I expect a little more from professional journalists than fans.