3.102 - Mekhi Blackmon, CB - USC

[vikesfan89]

It seems like the Vikings have drafted a lot of 3rd round corners that haven't worked.  Hopefully Blackmon changes that. 

Also have that had a successful 3rd round pick since hunter? Maybe they should have traded all of the way into the 4th. Maybe Dantzler could be considered an Ok pick

[Sad People]

9 hours ago, Purplepride323 said:

 

Impressive game against a tough UCLA offense. Chip Kelly runs an NFL type of offense so Blackmon was forced to make a lot of NFL type of plays and he does a great job at that during this game. He looks very sticky and hard to shake off. It seems like he’s always in the receiver’s hip pocket. He’s also a sure tackler and plays with a tough demeanor. Maybe doesn’t have the best long speed, but the hips and change of direction are elite. I think Addison and Blackmon being teammates at USC and practicing against each other everyday made both of them better players, and hopefully they can keep doing that at the next level. 
 

That was a pretty good game from him. He had a nice pick as well.

[vike daddy]

i like what our picks have gained us so far, a receiver and a CB. and our 2nd round pick being that long haired TE who started in early too.

all contributors right away.

Edited April 29, 2023 by vike daddy

[vike daddy]

Few cornerbacks in this class have had a similar journey to Mekhi Blackmon. While some players were highly-touted high school recruits, Blackmon was the literal opposite. According to 247Sports’ rankings, Blackmon was an unranked recruit and went overlooked by most Division 1 football programs.

As a result, Blackmon began his college career at the College of San Mateo, a junior college in California. He was a full-time cornerback there, a position he’s only played since 2017, and helped lead the school to their winningest season.

After one season, Blackmon earned a late offer to join Colorado, where he saw some immediate playing time. However, Blackmon didn’t become a full-time starter until his third season after redshirting for his sophomore year.

After three seasons as a full-time starter, Blackmon entered the transfer portal and committed to USC, where he played under head coach Lincoln Riley. 

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-minnesota-vikings-usc-trojans-mekhi-blackmon-excite-fans/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0IRreSqWdf-OZ52lj7qhQdnFmGcbWcqmW_ShNj-RlZ8v3ZeutsMpRDJKY

 

fans can say he's "old" for a rookie. i say he's experienced!

[vike daddy]

Chicago Football Connection@CFCBears

Mekhi Blackmon (USC) My guy at CB. The only player with a top 5 PFF grade in both man and zone coverage in this class. He's undersized which is why he's being overlooked but It didn't pop up on tape much. Could be a steal early on day 3.

 

 

or the last pick of day 2....

[vike daddy]

Flores’ entire defense is built on versatility. Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland moved all over the field, including slot cornerback, under Flores, and cornerback Nik Needham played inside and out under Flores.

Blackmon will likely be able to play a similar role as Needham, especially if his college tape is any indication. Blackmon normally operated on the boundary last season but also saw his fair share of snaps in the slot. When he played inside, Blackmon was a feisty player who made contributions in the run game, though it was inconsistent.

Given that Blackmon will likely need to earn his playing time, this versatility should help him find the field more often. If the Vikings want to kick Byron Murphy to the outside, Blackmon will likely be able to kick inside and play his fair share of snaps in the slot. The same could be said if a boundary cornerback suffers an injury or struggles.

Regarding his long-term future, Blackmon will likely see the slot as his primary position.

https://vikingswire.usatoday.com/lists/2023-nfl-draft-minnesota-vikings-usc-trojans-mekhi-blackmon-excite-fans/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0IRreSqWdf-OZ52lj7qhQdnFmGcbWcqmW_ShNj-RlZ8v3ZeutsMpRDJKY

[vike daddy]

Blackmon played one year of junior college (JUCO) football at San Mateo before committing to Colorado in 2018. Blackmon played four years at Colorado before deciding to transfer to USC.

In his collegiate career he totaled 142 tackles, 4 being for a loss, 1 sack, 5 interceptions, 24 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 forced fumbles. His best collegiate year occurred during the 2022 season when he posted 66 tackles, 2 going for a loss, 3 interceptions, 12 pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. For his performance, he was named First Team All-PAC 12.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mekhi_Blackmon

Edited April 29, 2023 by vike daddy

[swede700]

I saw that he's basically the same as Devon Witherspoon, but almost 2 yrs older.  That's the difference.  Otherwise, pretty much same size and length and production.

[Purplepride323]

2 hours ago, Sad People said:

That was a pretty good game from him. He had a nice pick as well.

My favorite play is at 4:08. He basically covers two receivers down the field who are breaking on a blown coverage call, and he’s still able to make a play on the ball and break up the pass. DTR could’ve possibly held the ball longer and made a better throw, but the ground that Blackmon covers in such a short amount of time is crazy.

Edited April 29, 2023 by Purplepride323

[Purplepride323]

1 hour ago, swede700 said:

I saw that he's basically the same as Devon Witherspoon, but almost 2 yrs older.  That's the difference.  Otherwise, pretty much same size and length and production.

Great analysis. I was thinking the same thing. Watching his tape is like watching Devon Witherspoon again, but Blackmon was taken almost a 100 picks later. Age has to be a main factor on why he wasn’t taken earlier. Jack Jones is a good pro comparison as well. Coincidentally, Jack Jones was also 24 when he got drafted last year and also weighed under 175 at the combine. 

Edited April 29, 2023 by Purplepride323

[JDBrocks]

 

[SteelKing728]

I hope he always plays with that edge and chip on his shoulder. Don't ever let people forget that you were passed up on!

[vike daddy]

Kwesi: "He is one of those guys who, throughout the route, has a calculation going on at any point. He's trying to shrink the world for the receiver."

vikings.com

[battle2heaven]

here is a decent comp for Blackmon: Jack Jones from the patriots

he was drafted last year in the 4th round, very similar athletic and body profiles. he was also an older prospect like Blackmon. Jones dealt with injuries last year but played 400+ snaps for the Patriots, with a PFF grade of 74.4. 

[swede700]

Quote

 

Nagy had watched Blackmon the previous year during his final season at Colorado. Blackmon had the tenacity to play man coverage on the outside and the processing speed to match routes in zone coverage on the inside. Still, Nagy thought of him as a fifth-rounder, so he held off on inviting him to the game. Reviewing Blackmon’s USC team, Nagy saw an improvement.

That progression bumped him up Nagy’s board — to the degree that the Senior Bowl did extend Blackmon an invite this spring.

Blackmon’s performance in Mobile, Ala., did not spur a media frenzy. Regardless, Nagy reviewed the tape afterward and thought “he was one guy who showed up better than maybe the publicity around him appeared.”

 

https://theathletic.com/4478497/2023/05/02/vikings-nfl-draft-senior-bowl-nagy/?source=emp_shared_article