rk wrote:rebelwithoutaclue wrote:I don't think Blackmon was ever the consensus #2 pick. Hell, he was the consensus #3 receiver last year. If the Browns wanted a receiver, they would have just taken Julio Jones last year, who is bigger/stronger/faster than Blackmon.
I believe WR's are not judged solely on bigger/stronger/faster. Occasionally the ability to catch the ball is also taken into consideration. There is also some consideration on the ability of a WR to beat the press and the ability of a WR to run crisp and accurate routes.
All things that are teachable. Top 10 WR's have to be physical studs to justify that high of a selection. Justin Blackmon can neither run a 4.4 nor grow 3-4 extra inches. He should not be a top 10 prospect. None of this is to say he won't be a good receiver in the NFL, just not someone I'm taking at #4 overall.
And to Hiko's point, Blackmon was also rated very highly this year... until the combine. I agree that at the end of 2010, he was #2 behind Green but after the combine, where Jones shot up and Blackmon sunk, he would have been the #3 WR taken last year.


The two are not mutually exclusive. Just because some great athletes haven't done it, doesn't mean everyone will fail. What's easier to teach: how to run routes or how to grow 3 inches from 6'1" to 6'4"? 






