Justin Blackmon

The Jaguars seem to view any future contribution from Blackmon – who has yet to reinstated by the NFL -- as a bonus, and it now seems the suspended former No. 5 overall selection is in danger of missing another season. At this stage, it appears the Jags are ready to move forward with a receiving corps led by Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, Allen Hurns and TE Julius Thomas.

After Blackmon was suspended indefinitely for a second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy during the 2013 season, his status is up in the air. For Blackmon to return, he’d have to first apply for reinstatement by the NFL, and even if they signed off, he’s have to convince the Jaguars to integrate him back into the team. In May GM David Caldwell indicated he wasn’t counting on Blackmon and backed that up a week later by drafting two wideouts in the second round. While Jacksonville could release Blackmon, they’re likely to wait at least until his NFL status is cleared up as they’re not obligated to pay him while he’s out. Nonetheless, this is a top talent as evidenced by his four-game, 415-yard showing on 8.6 YPT despite playing for one of the weaker passing teams in the league. Were he reinstated, the speedy 6-1, 210-pound Blackmon could draw interest from someone, provided he can convince them he’ll stay focused.

Buoyed by a 236-yard game against the Texans in Week 11, Blackmon's output over the last seven games of his rookie season (38-615-4) seemed to portend a Year 2 breakout. That is, until he was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Taken with the fifth pick in the 2012 draft, the 6-1, 207-pound Blackmon isn't overly fast, but he's a polished route runner with good ball skills and knack for making big plays. His efficiency numbers last year (13.5 YPC) and (6.5 YPT) were poor, but considering the Jaguars averaged only 6.4 YPA as a team, it's hard to hang too much of that on Blackmon (though teammate Cecil Shorts did average 9.3 YPT). This year, Blackmon will be playing for a new GM, head coach and offensive coordinator, and the extent to which they open up the offense remains to be seen. One decision they’ve made already – to give Blaine Gabbert another chance to compete for the quarterback job – doesn’t bode well for Blackmon who came to life only after Chad Henne took over. Finally, as highly as Blackmon was drafted, the new regime has no ties to that pick, and so his margin for further off-the-field errors in judgment could be slim.

The fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, Blackmon is a highly polished prospect who should vie to be the Jaguars’ top target right out of the gate. At 6-1, 207, and with 4.5 speed, Blackmon’s not blowing anyone away with his physical skills, but he’s an excellent route runner, possesses soft hands and did nothing but make plays throughout his college career – in his last 25 games at Oklahoma State, Blackmon had 232 catches for 3,304 yards (14.2 YPC) and 38 touchdowns, as well as 136 yards and a touchdown rushing. The Jaguars quarterback situation is arguably the worst in the league right now with Blaine Gabbert showing nothing during his rookie year, and Chad Henne failing to distinguish himself since coming into the league. But with only Laurent Robinson and Mike Thomas as competition for targets, Blackmon has a chance to be the focus of the passing game as a rookie.