NFL Rumors: Cleveland Browns interested in Supplemental Draft Prospect, Josh Gordon?
The Cleveland Browns swung and missed two consecutive times on trying to draft a Baylor Bear football player. Prior to 2012′s NFL Draft, Cleveland competed against the Washington Redskins in pursuit of #2 overall held by the St. Louis Rams. Of course, the Browns lost that battle, and instead made a draft day trade to move up one slot for Alabama Crimson Tide’s, Trent Richardson. Great consolation prize if you ask me. However, after losing out on the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes, Cleveland had another Baylor Bear in mind with their 2nd 1st round pick – #22 overall. That player was Kendall Wright, who unfortunately went two slots ahead of Cleveland’s pick to the Tennessee Titans. So the Browns took a player they preferred in round 2, but didn’t want to risk losing out on – Brandon Weeden.
The dream of having RG3 and Kendall Wright didn’t become reality. Neither did the Trent Richardson, Wright, and Brandon Weeden scenario. Now, however, Cleveland has yet another opportunity to draft a former Baylor footballer in the upcoming supplemental draft held on July 12th. Josh Gordon, WR, caught 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010 at Baylor before transferring to Utah. The buzz surrounding Gordon pre-supplemental draft is similar to Stephen Hill’s pre-draft stock – and Gordon hasn’t even worked out yet. Gordon’s workout is scheduled for July 10th at Rice.
Josh Gordon is listed as 6ft 4, but is probably closer to 6ft 3, 225 pounds. He’s a big, physical receiver, with great speed – but of course, needs to confirm this in his upcoming workout. It’s uncertain which teams will attend Gordon’s workout, but the Cleveland Browns are wide receiver needy, and haven’t been shy in expressing that.
Of course, when a player enters the supplemental draft he’s coming in with red-flags. Gordon was suspended at Baylor after a drug arrest, and then transferred to Utah where he was unable to play due to NCAA transfer rules. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Josh Gordon is highly talented, but wide receiver is a difficult position to transition from the collegiate level – especially for a player as inexperienced as Gordon. He is touted as the most talented supplemental pick since ’06 when the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ahmad Brooks. Gordon could go as early as the 3rd round, but it will be a tough decision and a big risk for any team interested.
Emmanual Benton is a featured Washington Redskins columnist for www.Rantsports.com and a NFL Rumors section contributor. If you enjoy talking Redskins and all things NFL, follow Emmanual on Twitter: Follow @Roccoskins
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