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Just how fast is Justin Blackmon? The answer will have everything to do with his draft stock this year.
The first name in television draft gurus rolled out his latest 2012 NFL mock draft on Wednesday. Regardless of what you think of Mel Kiper, his mock draft's are must-reads for draft enthusiasts. And what does Kiper predict for the St. Louis Rams?
For starters, he continues to see a trade down from the second pick as a very realistic possibility. Kiper cites several teams that could bid on the chance to draft Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. And why wouldn't they? RG3 looks to have everything a team could want in a franchise cornerstone, the arm, the accuracy, the athleticism and a real acumen for the game.
Kiper does not include trades in his mocks, at least not these early ones. So let's see who he has in store for the Rams with his pick.
Surprise! Kiper mocks Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon to the Rams.
Here is his explanation.
I've said before this pick could be in play. Cleveland, Washington or maybe even Miami could slide into this spot if they want to make a move at quarterback, but Blackmon goes here in this mock because I'm not able to reflect trades. It will be interesting to see if Blackmon is willing to run in Indy. He could bypass it and wait for his pro day given his current status. St. Louis is in desperate need of a weapon in the passing game, and will get one with one of its first two picks. Remember, it could also lose Brandon Lloyd in free agency.
FWIW, Kiper puts RG3 to the Browns in the fourth spot.
The latest report is that Blackmon does plan to run the forty at the Combine. That comes from Albert Breer, from a Feb. 3 report.
Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon told me he plans to "do it all", including the 40, at the combine. Said he thinks he'll run 4.4/low 4.5s.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 3, 2012
If Blackmon did run in the 4.4s, it would change the assessment many have his draft status. Blackmon clearly has skills, but some experts question his down field ability. Blackmon is not though to be on par with the top two receivers picked last year in the draft.
Kiper did say this about Blackmon's speed earlier on Wednesday, as relayed via Evan Silva:
He's not gonna run a 4.35, but Michael Irvin didn't. Larry Fitzgerald didn't. And they were great.
Few top prospects seem to elicit the debate that Blackmon does. Few doubt his NFL potential. Instead, experts seem to have questions about his potential to be a top NFL receiver.
Answering questions about his deep speed, showing people how quick and explosive he is in space and answering some relatively minor character concerns will be essential for Blackmon at the Combine.
For now, the idea scenario for the Rams would be trading down and picking a receiver with a lower spot in the first round. That will depend on factors outside their control.
0 recs | 82 comments
Hope he does run a fast 40
means when we trade down (Browns), maybe the vikings will be tempted to get him, so Kalil drops to us. If not, then darn, we just got a fast, good WR.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Totally...
agree!
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
Clevelander here.....News for you Ram fans...
Just wanted to say GM Tom Heckert of the Browns said point-blank on a radio interview on WKNR “this team (Browns) has too many holes to be ransoming picks on one player (meaning RG3). If anything, I am likely to move DOWN in the draft, not up.” He’s moved down the past 2 seasons, not up, to stockpile picks. The rumor is they like RG3, but dont LOVE him. The QB the Browns would have loved to draft decided to go to school another year…Barkley from USC, whom they all like alot, and have said so on record. There also is a big rumor now in town and on several sites saying they like Matt Flynn, because the Pakers run the same style of WCO, so who knows. Im just here to tell you if you’re banking on the Browns to mortgage the future on a guy they dont love, only like, its not happening. Washington is your best trade partner for sure.
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
well, let's hear the offer from the 'skins
if not good enough, I’m down with Kalil (depending on FA)
Thanks for the input, btw!
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
no problem
what is interesting is that washington may not have to go up to 2 to get RG3, they could go to 4 instead, seeing as howwhich Heckert might be anticipating to happen
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
yeah i just wrote the same thing right below
it’s actually a good chess move
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
What's to stop the Rams from drafting Griffin....
And holding him hostage for picks? It’s been done before (Eli Manning) and that would throw all of the Browns shenanigans out the window
Rcoon1307 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
oh another note
that’s a brilliant strategy for the browns, if RG is on the board at 4 still, they will get SO many offers to trade down again, if none are good, y’all have RG3 as your new QB!
With him saying that they don’t “love him” means the Rams trade just got less competitive and cheaper for the skins and dolphins.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
yeah, we were thinking alike
i think the Browns wanna trade down, and snag Richardson or Claibourne.
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
trading down they'll get Richardson
claiborne won’t last though. If we get Kalil, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Vikes take him.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
and...
The Browns seem to think McCoy may/may not be the guy. He had NO weapons at all. I feel they might get him some weapons this year and see what he’s got. If he’s not the guy, they may take a shot at Barkley or someone else next year. we have no offensive weapons man. ZERO. Hard to judge Colt. Any QB would have struggled.
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
like bradford this year vs last year too
at least he had Amendola to throw to, with saffold locking down that LT….this year it’s like the team shit in their hand and threw it into a fan
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
lol good analogy man
we lost 3 RB’s last year. we had a practice squad guy at rb for half a year, chris ogbannaya lol. best wr was little, a rookie who missed his entire senior season. new HC, new offensive system, no OC, just a freaking mess.
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
plus our division is brutal...
plus playing pitt twice, balt twice, and cincy twice. we went 0-6, all three other teams in the division were in the playoffs. pitt and balt are always in the playoffs. you would think the sun would shine on a dogs ass every now and then but, nope. not here.
envirosinger - February 15, 2012
we all know about ogbannaya! Had his as a back-up
but yeah, we lost 10 (?) CBs, our main go-to WR, O-Line had injuries and the guys that we picked up in FA (minus Harvey Dahl and Mikell) didn’t fill any holes.
No wonder we’re both picking top 5 :(
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Hrm ...
… what happened the last time a Baylor product was picked 2nd overall … ?
Midasknight - February 15, 2012
I can
only think of Phil Taylor and Danny Watkins, but they went in the first round.
OakCityRam - February 15, 2012
I hope
that was a joke considering we are about to cut one from our O-line
Jas the Mace - February 15, 2012
Haha, we can only hope for that cut
At least cut his retarded salary. He’s probably a nice guy, but no bucket of shit deserves that much, glad the rookie cap has changed.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
Wow!
I didn’t know that fool was from Baylor!
OakCityRam - February 15, 2012
What happened to other OT from that draft?
Any of them pan out? I remember Andre Smith being mocked to us for awhile, until he went stupid – later running his pro day with no shirt.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Andre Smith is a good RT, Eugene Moore (I think he was in that draft?) is solid for the Jags
Oher is okay, but extremely overrated b/c of the movie about him.
Brick Top - February 15, 2012
I was just gonna say that
at least he turned it around
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
it was between Monroe, Smith and Smith
Oher’s name was tossed around, but yeah that movie overrates him.
PS. I watched some story on Patrick Willis before the NFC game, how he came from a foster home, etc. And it made me think, how many players out there have similar stories, but they never made it in/to the NFL and make money. Cause if only a tiny portion gets a chance and even smaller portion becomes a starter, then there are a TON of Oher and Willis type players that never made it.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
I saw that too!
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
Wow, McShay thinks if Alshon keeps putting on muscle and getting bigger
he could be a TE in the NFL
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
I thnk that's because TE's are beginning to be more like WRs these days
What do ya bet there’s 5 guys who could fit that mold that’ll be drafted this year. WRs have to be good at blocking downfield and TEs are expected to run after the catch now. Dwight Jones, Jeff Fuller, Brian Quick, or maybe Gerrell Robinson. There’s also the reverse in TE’s Ladarius Green and Josh Chichester.
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
TEs have to block a DE or LBs
WR just toss around small (except in Seattle) secondary players. So he will have to learn to block a big and quick mofo, as well as keep his speed. It’ll be interesting if that’s the route he takes. As McShay said, he has 3 options:
- Show up to the combine in great WR shape and have a good workout
- Show up out of shape and end-up like Williams
- Show up big and strong (because he doesn’t have good separation speed for a WR) and potentially become a TE
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
(except in Seattle)
I kind of have a man-crush on their DBs too. Those fuckers don’t deserve good players. We should always go for some bigger faster DBs. Kind of makes me like the Dre Kirkpatricks and Ray Ray Armstrongs of the world. Problem is you gotta watch out for the Taylor Mays.
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
that's the thing, they hit on a bunch of picks/UDFA
what really pisses me off about Seattle’s secondary is they got Browner and he picked-off Bradford that MNF game, what school did he play at….? That’s why I’m not happy :(
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
aha
I believe he was once something that is synonymous with a fir burger.
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
haha
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
wonder where chichester is going to go
Danteslion - February 15, 2012
I bet he rides Jimmy Grahams coattails to the 5th round or so
dbcouver - February 15, 2012
This is what it all depends on
Everybody can say you they want to trade down but it’s harder than just saying. It’s all about what you get against how sold this FO and Fisher are on Blackmon and Kalil. If they feel good enough with Blackmon or Kalil at the 2 then take him. But don’t trade down far if you can’t get your guy and the picks, because then you lose, this explains it better:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d8266f14e/Who-should-the-Rams-draft-at-No-2
Honestly, if he does run a 4.40, what honestly can we knock him on? His competition? Kalil didn’t face that great of edge rushers either. I don’t think Cleveland will trade up unless the Dophins and Redskins really want RG3 but then again Manning and Flynn could be out there as well. Just my opinion though..
RG31 - February 15, 2012
I feel the need...the need for Speed
Give me Blackmon…I’ll take the playmaker anyday. The Rams are missing speed and big play capability. If he runs a good 40 at the combine that’s even more reason to take him. Sam needs weapons.
ksmooth - February 15, 2012
Did you read the article. Blackmon's spead and big play ability are both big questions.
If you want a big play WR, or at least one who has the tools to project as one, Wright or Sanu better fit that mold.
TheBirds - February 15, 2012
Wright is a fast mofo and could be a returner
Im sure his stock will rise as we continue, which means we won’t get him :(
sergey606 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
Is it possible?
For the Rams to sign Mike Wallace if they get two 1st round picks from Cleveland? The restricted price would be a first round pick leaving the Rams with (I’m assuming) Clevelands #4. We could then take Blackmon to REALLY beef up the WR corps or Reiff, Claiborne, or Khalil depending on who is available.
ChildishRambino - February 29, 2012
yeah i did read the article
I have watched Blackmon play and he’s a stud. We’ll see what he runs at the combine and go from there. I love Sanu but there is no guarentee he’ll be there in the 2nd round and we need a WR. If we pass on Blackmon and then Wright and Sanu are gone in the 2nd round we’re screwed once again. Then we’ll take some bs TE who will suck. Just sayin
ksmooth - February 15, 2012
poor man's Michael Crabtree
To me, he’s a poor man’s Michael Crabtree. Not bad, but probably not worth a top 6 pick in my opinion.
dzajanc - February 15, 2012
I feel like there is more anxiety with out position in this draft than last year.
So many options.
Horcrux7 - February 15, 2012
IMO the drop-off is bigger than last year
AJ, JJ and the rest of the guys last year; This year there are no incredibly amazing talent at WR, top guys are kinda bunched.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Plz for the love of god
Draft this guy
Ramzman18 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
I know right
Danteslion - February 15, 2012
lol i cant take it he looks so great
Ramzman18 - February 15, 2012 via mobile
Remember Jerry Rice though?
He was never “that fast”, or “that strong” or “had great separation”, and he went ENTIRELY under the radar. He was a little bit of a success story, and all it takes it true talent and a desire to be the best. Blackmon has both.
I feel as if, as fans, and products of modern scouting, we look a little too deeply into the numbers, and ignore some of the more obvious things… like that Blackmon is a winner.
RamBradford08 - February 15, 2012
don't compare apples to turtles man
Rice went to a tiny school, it’s like us drafting a WR in a late round out of Hofstra or Southern Texas Institute of Industrial Power Technology and Agricultural Studies Community College (STIIPTASCC) and him turning out to set records at the next level.
Blackmon is the best WR in the draft, went to OSU, on everyone’s radar, etc.
It’s like comparing Bradford to Brady, one was a prized pick, one had to fight to start a game in college.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Plus don't compare his desire to Rice's
until I see him running like 15 miles of hills every day, then we can talk
Brick Top - February 15, 2012
wasnt everyone sayin before the combine last year
that julio jones was gonna run around 4.5 or higher. never know, what if Blackmon ran real fast unexpectedly too
waggs07 - February 15, 2012
Yeah the combine shot JJ from a mid-round pick (was hoping it'd be us) to a top 10 pick
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Could "someone" do a post or at least just answer me this.
This draft thing has been see-sawing back ’n forth, back ’n forth…Kalil, Blackmon, Draft trade, Kalil, Blackmon, Draft trade, on and on.
Okay, so most people believe these are the Rams three choices. Now, tell me If they don’t trade and decide to take Kalil who are the logical WRs that will be left when round 2 pick comes. And on the flip side of that coin, if the take Blackmon who are the logical OTs that will be left when round 2 comes.
Go Rams!
Nbr1RamFan - February 15, 2012
well
I’ve been on the “trade to cleveland” wagon, cause that lets us get Blackmon and Martin or another O-Line guy.
The thing is, only a couple would be a LT, we have a RT already, but we’ll see if Saffold decides to step his game up and get that LT spot back. Lots left prior to the draft too: will we reduce JSmith’s salary and keep him, will he be cut, will we sign a FA WR, who else can we sign, etc.
Sanu or Jeffery in the second round for WRs.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
I do not think either makes it to round 2
It is now a passing league and top notch receivers are coveted more now than ever.
Hope I am wrong and one of those falls to us as either of the two are who I would love to see wearing rams horns come next fall.
hbwb - February 15, 2012
I think we gotta draft an Olineman
Honestly, we gotta get Kalil… Our line needs some major fixing up, and JSmith needs to get the boot… I would love for us to get Blackmon, but that could be so hard for us to do… What happens when Wash trades up with the Vikes thinkin we’re stickin at 2, then we trade with Cleveland for 4 and 22??? Then we really would have the choice of Blackmon or Kalil.
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
This is the defining question (Without knowing what will happen in FA)
The gap between Kalil and a 2nd rd LT is greater—in my opinion—than the gap between Blackmon and a 2nd rd WR.
mcihaelT - February 15, 2012
boom, someone said what I've been saying.
all this speculation, but if we somehow sign a top WR, then I’d be fine with drafting Kalil and not trading.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
I completely agree
and the thing is, look at this year’s FA WR market!!! It’s huge!!!! Everyone wants to look at the Star, but they forget the base holding the tree up (Oline)…. Without that base, the tree falls, the star shatters, and Bradford lands on his back with another broken ankle. :\
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
the thing that sucks:
10 mill in cap space. We have to dump some junk before we can even think of signing even 2 top FAs
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
*beep beep beep.... Hear that?
The garbage truck IS backing up…. Fisher and Snead are going to be doing a little more than cutting this offseason… It’s gonna look like Indy by the time they get done!!! Cap Space? I have no worry about it… There’s going to be plenty of room to stretch our legs once those guys get done flexing their muscles. Bank on it!
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
well our biggest payroll guys are
Smith, Long and Bradford. Only one of those will get cut; maybe Bartell.
If we cut too much, we won’t have nearly a complete roster and then will have to fill the holes with more UDFA and cheap FAs.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
check this out:
A guy over on the official website who is a career scouting specialist came up with this list and other lists… here’s the one on increasing the cap space.
http://www.stlouisrams.com/fans/messageboards.html?plckForumPage=ForumDiscussion&plckDiscussionId=Cat%3afaac8eeb-8f85-46a7-ae99-7aa5065e11a8Forum%3aca9762fb-89eb-4f7a-9e6a-985923d11ccbDiscussion%3a1c852f35-b468-491f-a6ec-abb50b260a53
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
i don't agree about making Dahl expendable.
IMO he’s way better that J Smith; he’s a proven guard, plus, no way that was fucking holding.
But yes, it is possible to clear some cap, thanks for the link
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
no problem...
Definitely a HUGE insight and good indepth analysis.
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
love his comments too at the bottom
if you think about it’s all math.
New movie starring Brad Pitt: Moneyball 2.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Exactly!!! I wouldn’t be surprised if someone made that into a movie :-p
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
He's a beast, like H Nicks. Sign him.
Or Kalil.
look closer - February 15, 2012
Who cares about 0.1 seconds???
If Blackmon runs a 4.4 or 4.5 who cares? His hands and route running should be the critical quality Thats more important to me. We had a track athlete in Donnie Avery and how did that help the team? Very little. I’d rather have a big target receiver that can dominate the corner on him and catch everthing in site rather than a quick little fucker that can’t overcome bump & run coverage, can’t get seperation, and can’t run routes. Fast receivers that occassionally catch long passes (and little else) are a dime a dozen.
Da Rams! - February 15, 2012
Avery...
Now that guy we should have kept seeing as how our season went… I also think we should have kept Thaddeus Lewis on our squad rather than Feely… With as much as that guy ran, I’m surprised the Broncos didn’t pick him up for Tebow’s backup considering they could run the EXACT same scheme.
RamsIchor - February 15, 2012
It became obvious as the season went along that the Rams were the only team that saw any potential in Avery.
He blew his opportunities for employment with his attitude and teams didn’t see enough in him as a player to take a flier on him. He did land with Tennesee, but it took him half the season to do so, plus he had no impact there. Speed only kills if you have the the timing, hands, and opportunity to commit the crime.
Da Rams! - February 15, 2012
"If Blackmon did run in the 4.4s, it would change the assessment many have his draft status"
wtf am i reading? does anyone even watch football or is it just really all stats all the time? blackmon is the best route runner to come out of college in the last ten years. I dont care if he runs a 10.10 the guy gets open.
joemammaz - February 15, 2012
he's had issues with his speed in the game, it's one of the biggest knocks.
amazing if he can get open on the short and intermediate routes, but when you want to “Justin King” someone, you’ll need that speed.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
oh wait, to "Justin King" someone, you just need to be able to breathe.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
Getting open in college is very different from getting open in the NFL
I’m not suggesting that he won’t be able to get open in the NFL, however, just that game tape of Blackmon in the Big-12 won’t tell the whole picture.
mcihaelT - February 15, 2012
Jeremy Maclin hasn't had problems getting open in the NFL.
College football is neither an indicator of success nor a guarantor of failure in the NFL. The league is full of over and under achievers.
Da Rams! - February 15, 2012
yup.
Colston baby.
sergey606 - February 15, 2012
My point exactly
mcihaelT - February 15, 2012
You obviously don't know how to judge players very well
Blackmon is a very underwhelming route runner.
Brick Top - February 15, 2012
" blackmon is the best route runner to come out of college in the last ten years. I dont care if he runs a 10.10 the guy gets open."
Wow. Blackmon runs a ton of 5 yard slants and curls against off-coverage and suddenly he’s the best route runner to come out of college in the last 10 years? Wow.
Josh Wehrle - February 15, 2012
sanu has the deep speed we need
and the hands to snag any pass. plus he is big enough to block and break tackles. he started out playing qb rb and wr which speaks of his versatility. not to mention breaking britt’s team record and fitz’s big east single season record. two of the best receivers in the pros.
hbwb - February 15, 2012
Please no
After all the talk this week about Blackmon being overrated I decided to set down and really watch some of his highlights.
He’s always wide open by nfl standards. Never had to jump to make any big plays, never jammed at the line at all on any of his highlights.
I’m thoroughly convinced he’s not a top 10 pick anymore, if he doesn’t have a good combine he might not even be a first rounder.
Scato - February 16, 2012
He's a little overrated but out of the first round is a little much, but..
Yeah I haven’t seen him face much press coverage, almost everything was off man coverage. That concerns me. People keep throwing stats into the equation as well, but come on, the Big 12 is not known for its defenses, lets be honest.
He needs to run a 4.5 flat or below otherwise his stock is going to drop, as well as have a good vertical. I’ll say this though, I do want Blackmon to be drafted by the Rams, however I’d like to see it by 9 or below via trade. The more I watch I think he isn’t a top 5 pick, but I think he’s still just a borderline top 10 pick. His best quality is the ability to create yards after catch by breaking tackles, which is why he’s compared to TO by some. He isn’t going to elude many, he’ll try to stiff arm you and rely on his strength to create more yards. I like that determination, it’s something that Brandon Lloyd doesn’t do, he’ll usually fall down after making a catch if he feels contact is coming. Blackmon also isn’t great at tracking the deep ball, he does work the short and medium well though.
nick-the-greek - February 16, 2012
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