UPDATE: Justin Blackmon returning to OSU

[xkidflowx]

if anyone hasnt heard yet, Justin Blackmon is staying in school . Which is horrible for us.. hopefully julio jones is still here.

[AvengerRam]

The "Big 3" WR prospects is now the "Big 2."

[Ramblin` Ram]

dissappointing for us... but can`t blame him..he`s still so young, he could be the top wideout next year and ofcourse there`s the real danger that he could have come out this year and then have to wait a year before his new team gets to play.

[Ram Mar Ram]

Man, maybe we need to move up to guarantee that we can get Jones

[Nick]

With Floyd and Blackmon now heading back to school, the 2011 WR class is not looking as good as it did about a month ago when many expected these guys to be in it. A full-court press for a legitimate free agent receiver is starting to look like a better route, since the draft options are beginning to dwindle. I still think there's a decent chance Jones is there when the Rams pick, but it'll be a gamble.

[TheBritishRam]

Damn it. Looking on the bright side if the Rams now press harder to get a receiver in free agency that means there are a few more options of what to do in round one of the draft.

[shower beers]

Agreed with the two previous posts.

Blackmon probably stayed in school to dodge competition from Green and Jones, while becoming a probable first WR pick in next year's draft.

[Nick]

Agreed with the two previous posts.

Blackmon probably stayed in school to dodge competition from Green and Jones, while becoming a probable first WR pick in next year's draft.

True, though I think Alshon Jeffery could give him a run for his money.

[AvengerRam]

Yeah... with Blackmon, Broyles and Floyd heading back to school, the crop has thinned substantially.

[TekeRam]

I'm honestly not surprised at all about any Junior that stays in school thus year. Last year, lots of Juniors came out because it stood to be that last "big" payday before there was a rookie salary slotting system. While that might not matter to the late round picks(who won't see their salaries change much, most likely), almost certainly 1-2nd round picks(where the big time juniors go) will see their first contracts be smaller.

This year, even though there's still not a slotting system at this moment, there will be one before any of these rookies get their contracts, and more than that, they don't even know when they'll actually be getting those contracts and if they'll be playing next season. Much better all around to keep their scholarships, finish up school, and come out next year a season more groomed and knowing what's happening with the league.

What's this all mean for us, in terms of Blackmon and Floyd? Nothing in my mind, as I didn't want a 1st round WR anyway. It's rare that a rookie WR makes a difference, and we need to hit the ground running. I'm looking for a solid 2nd-3rd round receiver to groom behind a free agent and Clayton outside, while fighting for playing time with Avery/DX as the bottom 3 receivers(Amendola is solid #3 slot guy, obviously). Seriously, if we got a great physical specimen who needed route running grooming, I'd jump on him in a heartbeat in the middle rounds.

So, at the end of the day, I yawn at this and just hope it doesn't end up causing our 1st round target to go one spot earlier.

[Goldenfleece]

Agreed with the two previous posts.

Blackmon probably stayed in school to dodge competition from Green and Jones, while becoming a probable first WR pick in next year's draft.

Could be. If you ask me, anybody who has the chance to go in the first round should take the money and run. You've got a lot further to fall than rise at that point. That is unless the guy is actually staying in school out of commitment to his teammates or his school or something like that.