Reflecting on Justin Blackmon
By: Jake Rajala
Justin Blackmon was once deemed a potential Pro Bowl wide receiver. He was taken fifth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he unleashed 865 yards. This is respectable, as he was catching passes from the below average QB in Blaine Gabbert. Blackmon was on pace to have at least a 1k yard season as a sophomore. He recorded 415 yards in 4 games. Sadly, he was suspended in 2013 forever for constant drug violations.
In 2014, he didn’t bounce back. He was arrested for marijuana possession in Oklahoma in July of 2014. He was also arrested for a DUI in Oklahoma in 2015 and then arrested for public intoxication in 2015, too.
It’s too bad that Blackmon has suffered drug issues. He isn’t the only high draft pick to waste his career for drugs and alcohol. Aldon Smith had Hall of Fame potential. Smith was suspended for four straight seasons (between 2016 and 2019).
Obviously, there won’t be a comeback for Blackmon. He is 36 years old. If he was a QB, perhaps he could attempt to run it back. Colin Kaepernick, who is 38 years old, is desperate for redemption in the league. Let’s not forget that the journeyman Joe Flacco, who is 40 years old, is still slinging it.
I really hope the 2025 second overall pick, Travis Hunter, doesn’t follow in the footsteps of Blackmon by being a bust. I would like to see Hunter utilized a lot more at WR. However, I’d like to see him play CB if they are playing a squad with an elite wideout.
Blackmon may have failed in the NFL. That doesn’t mean that he hasn’t had success at the college level. He was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 2024.
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