Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Entering the 2012 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars desperately needed a wide receiver. Luckily for them All-American receiver Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State fell right into their lap.
However, the 22-year-old had a very slow start to his rookie fantasy football season. Blackmon only had one game with over 60 receiving yards in his first nine games. He was simply not getting any catchable balls or even a reliable number of targets.
Blackmon’s early season struggles can easily be attributed to the lackluster quarterback play of the Jaguars in general. Starter Blaine Gabbert looked atrocious at times this season, so when he was eventually placed on season-ending IR with a forearm injury, backup Chad Henne jumped in without question.
Henne came in during a mid-October game against the Oakland Raiders and the veteran quarterback formed an immediate rapport with the rookie receiver. Blackmon’s numbers (and targets) improved with each passing week and it was obvious that Henne was much better at getting their stare wideout the ball than Gabbert was this season.
Blackmon caught seven passes for a ridiculous 236 receiving yards in a 43-37 overtime loss in Week 11 to the Houston Texans. This was his coming out party in the AFC Central and certainly made Houston’s star receiver, Andre Johnson take notice on the other side of the field.
Blackmon finished the season with 64 receptions, 865 yards, and five touchdowns. He showed that he can be a reliable possession receiver with his 13.5 yards per reception last year, but also showed that he can be a downfield target as well.
Blackmon will be an amazing sleeper to target in 2013 fantasy leagues. He will certainly benefit from the return of the running game and Maurice Jones-Drew next year, but he will also have another year to get acclimated to the league. Look for Blackmon to go over 1,000 yards next season and grab between seven to nine touchdowns.
