Oklahoma St.
Ht. 6-1 Wt. 208
Hands: Excellent hands with only a few concentration lapses which lead to drops but for the most part is a reliable receiver. His long arms gives him an uncanny ability to snatch the ball away from his body and rangy catching radius. Catches the ball in traffic as well as anyone in the draft. High points the ball and uses his incredible strength to fight off defenders in the air.
Route Running: Blackmon’s route running has drastically improved each year at Oklahoma St. He needs to continue to work at this aspect of his game, particularly in terms of running crisper routes in order to get separation in man coverage. In the NFL, his routes will have to be crisp and precise due to his lack of top end speed.
After the Catch: Blackmon is dangerous with the ball in his hands. His strength makes him tough to bring down and has a natural feel for running in the open field. What he lacks in straight line speed is made up for with his explosion. He gets to top end speed quickly and uses a brutal stiff arm to fend of defenders. He will have to work on ball security at the next level to avoid becoming a fumbler. His run after the catch abilities make him so special and set him apart from others.
Athleticism: Blackmon’s overpowering strength, explosion, and agility make him an elite athlete at the position. His leaping ability combined with an ability to shield defenders in the air make him a force in the redzone and in jump ball situations. His 6’1” frame is not indicative of his style of play as he plays much bigger than that. Has a suddenness and explosion in his running style that is seen in running backs.
Bottom Line: Blackmon has been lauded by coaches for his work ethic and character despite a DUI arrest. It appears that was the exception and not the rule. From a production standpoint he has few peers. With only a few minor negatives to his game, Blackmon should be able to contribute at a high level immediately in the NFL. He compares favorably to Dez Bryant without all the headaches.
Draft Projection: Blackmon is a top 10 pick
