Justin Blackmon An Option For The Panthers?

Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is widely considered to be the best prospect of the draft class, and is a lock to be taken within, at least, the first ten picks. There is an outside chance that Blackmon could fall to the Carolina Panthers, who have the ninth overall pick.

For that to happen, the Cleveland Browns and St. Louis Rams, the two most likely destinations for Blackmon, would have to pass on him, which very few people see happening. Drafting a receiver early isn’t a priority for Carolina, who have a respectable receiving corps as it is, but in the unlikely event that Blackmon is still on the board when they’re on the clock, the Panthers would have to seriously consider taking him.

After all, their premiere wideout, Steve Smith, isn’t exactly getting any younger. But ESPN’s NFL Insider, Adam Schefter, doesn’t see Carolina trading up to get Blackmon, an opinion that is surely shared by others.

“If Blackmon managed to slip to Carolina’s turn, it would have to be interested. But Carolina really likes Brandon LaFell and the Panthers believe he’s poised for a breakout. It doesn’t mean they’re not interested in adding more receivers. It just means it’s hard to see them trading up in Round 1 to get one.”

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