NFL Supplemental Draft will be held July 12 (1 Viewer)

[Faust]

TCU running back Ed Wesley enters supplemental draft

By Brian McIntyre

Around the League writer

Thirteen days before the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft, which will be held on July 12, we have finally learned the identity of at least one entry. According to Dallas-based player agent Jordan Woy, former TCU running back Ed Wesley has entered the draft.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Wesley left school for family reasons in May.

In his 36-game career with the Horned Frogs, Wesley had 387 carries for 2,442 yards (averaging 6.3 yards per carry) with 21 touchdowns. The Mountain West Conference freshman of the year in 2009, Wesley's most productive season came in 2010, when he ran for 1,053 yards and 15 touchdowns and caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in a 21-19 Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. Wesley was TCU's second-leading rusher with 726 yards and six touchdowns in 2011.

Wesley might not have led his team in rushing, but according to a source with knowledge of the preseason rankings of expected seniors entering 2012, Wesley had "draftable" grades from scouting services National Football Scouting and BLESTO Scouting. A high grade does not assure that a prospect will be selected, which might not necessarily be a bad thing. If Wesley goes undrafted, he will have the opportunity to find the best fit for him this summer. Former Georgia running back Caleb King wasn't picked last August and spent the entire season on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad before being added to the active roster for the season finale.

Over the previous 10 offseasons, just 10 players have been selected in a supplemental draft, with no players selected in 2004 and 2008. Last summer, the Oakland Raiders used their 2012 third-round pick on Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The last running back to be selected in a supplemental draft was BYU's Harvey Unga, who went to the Chicago Bears for a 2011 seventh-round pick in 2010.

 

[dehaven123]

is Isaiah Crowell (UGa) eligible for the supplemental draft?

any chance he opts to go that route?

he was a highly touted prospect coming out of HS.

up and down career @ UGa, but worth keeping an eye on.

booted off the squad as a soph. this wk.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/blog/rob-rang/19452337/no-3rated-rb-isaiah-crowell-booted-by-georgia-following-arrest

has the talent, lacks the maturity, but when did that matter when it came to playing in the NFL?

w/ the jail time he could be looking at, may just be the end to the career of a guy a lot of people will never know about.

 

[Xue]

No, you have to be 3 years removed from high school graduation to be eligible for any NFL Draft, regular or supplemental. Crowell won't be eligible until 2014.

 

[Faust]

Josh Gordon is prime prospect in supplemental draft

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

So now we know the NFL Supplemental Draft will be held July 12. We know the eight players eligible to be drafted.

The bigger question: Are any of these players worth getting excited about?

I don't actually know the answer to that question. Or most questions. So I called someone who could help me out: NFL.com and NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah.

Jeremiah was working as a scout for the Philadelphia Eagles during the buildup to last year's supplemental draft. He said this time of year is stressful for scouts as teams start scrambling to do their homework on these players. The process isn't made any easier by the fact that most teams are off for Fourth of July. Teams will want to get workouts and medical examinations in before making a pick. There isn't much time to get that done.

Jeremiah still had homework to do on this year's crop of options when I talked to him Monday, but he gave me a few good pointers.

Gordon building buzz

Josh Gordon, who caught 42 passes for 714 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010 at Baylor before transferring to Utah, is building buzz among NFL teams.

"I noticed him in 2010 while watching other players at Baylor. Just thought that guy is pretty good," Jeremiah said. "I saw him at Utah -- coaches were just raving how athletic and talented he was."

Utah's practice field was the only place to see Gordon last year because he sat out the 2011 season after transferring. He will have to answer questions about why he suddenly went pro and whether he's facing any new issues.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Gordon has good speed and looks like a pro receiver. He could be the most talented supplemental pick since linebacker Ahmad Brooks in 2006, who went to the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round and later made noise as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

It's early, but none of the other eligible players look like great prospects.

In the supplemental draft for a reason

Jeremiah pointed out that guys are in this draft for a reason. They have physical skills, but off-the-field issues or problems have kept them from top-prospect status. Gordon was suspended at Baylor after a drug arrest. Every player has a story; Syracuse fullback Adam Harris said in college he had to quit football because of concussions. Teams have to consider things like that.

Knock players down a round

Jeremiah worked for two NFL teams. He told me that squads generally knock a player down a round if they are in the supplemental draft. A player who would normally be graded as a third-round pick would be considered for the fourth round, for example. Teams are hesitant to give up future picks.

With that in mind, it would be surprising to see Gordon taken in the first two rounds. Then again, as I pointed out, I don't actually know anything.

 

[Faust]

WR Josh Gordon enters NFL Supplemental Draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

According to reports, wide receiver Josh Gordon will forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. A Baylor transfer, he sat out the 2011 season while enrolled at Utah. The Supplemental Draft is reportedly scheduled for July 12.

Gordon began his career at Baylor, setting career-bests in 2010 as a sophomore with 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. However his two-year stint with the Bears ended shortly before the 2011 season as he decided to leave the program after he was suspended indefinitely for an off-campus drug arrest. Gordon joined Utah and began practicing with his new team, but was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. In August 2011, Utah head coach Kyle Willingham said the Utes “did their homework” on Gordon and felt he “deserves a second chance.” But the wideout never officially played for Utah, leaving the program for undisclosed reasons.

Gordon has tremendous speed and natural athleticism for his 6-4, 220-pound frame, but is still very rough around the edges as a receiver. He is a long-striding runner with the build-up speed and fluidity to make plays after the catch. Gordon is raw as a route runner and has only one true season of playing experience in college and that came in Baylor's high-octane offense, catching passes from Robert Griffin III. He also carries off-field concerns stemming from his past drug arrest and has now decided to leave two different college programs, creating some concern about his professional demeanor.

In 2010, Baylor's top-three leading receivers were Gordon, Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams. Wright was drafted in the first round this past April and Williams is considered a possible first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. That leaves Gordon who has the athletic skill-set to be selected in the first four rounds, but his inexperience and questionable background will drop him down draft boards. As unpredictable as the NFL Supplemental Draft is each year, Gordon will certainly be a wildcard on July 12.

 

[Faust]

Five fascinating NFL Supplemental Draft picks

By Henry Hodgson NFL.com

Editor's note: Henry Hodgson is Around the League's NFL Supplemental Draft and London bureau correspondent.

The NFL Supplemental Draft will take place on Thursday, July 12, and unlike its better-known sibling, there will be no Radio City Music Hall fanfare for the players taken. Likewise, you won't find Mike Mayock, Mel Kiper Jr. and their spawn spouting endlessly about the relative virtues of the prospects that will be taken in the supplemental draft.

Prospective top prospect Josh Gordon, a wide receiver out of Baylor who hasn't played since 2010, isn't likely to be winning a starting spot anytime soon. Last year, the buzz was around Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor, who was eventually picked in the third round of the supplemental draft by the Oakland Raiders in the last questionable drafting decision of Al Davis' career.

It wasn't always the obscure afterthought, though, that headlined the supplemental draft. Here’s five fascinating picks of past drafts:

5. Bobby Humphrey's meteoric NFL career began when the Denver Broncos made him a first-round pick in the 1989 supplemental draft, and his rookie numbers of 1,151 yards helped the Broncos to a berth in Super Bowl XXIV against the San Francisco 49ers. Humphrey followed up with a Pro Bowl spot in 1990, but also the inevitable contract renegotiation, which ultimately ended his tenure with the Broncos. A trade to the Miami Dolphins did nothing to reignite Humphrey, and his promising career ended in a fizzle.

4. Brian Bosworth is now better known as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history, but the highly-touted Oklahoma linebacker was so well thought of when picked by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 1987 supplemental draft that he was handed the largest rookie contract of all time at that point -- 10 years for $11 million. Bosworth is proof positive that all that glitters in the supplemental draft is not gold.

3. Steve Walsh's selection by Jimmy Johnson in 1989 was curious for many reasons, not least that he had invested a first-round pick in quarterback Troy Aikman just weeks earlier. Johnson spent another first-rounder on Walsh, with whom he had won the 1987 national championship at the University of Miami.

Walsh actually won the Dallas Cowboys starting job ahead of Aikman in his rookie season, starting five games -- including the team’s only victory that year -- before being benched for the eventual three-time Super Bowl winner. Walsh was traded to New Orleans a year later, and wound up playing for six NFL teams in an undistinguished 11-year NFL career.

2. Bernie Kosar's manipulation of the NFL's long-established draft rules allowed him to play with his preferred team, the Cleveland Browns, after they traded away their 1985 and 1986 first-round picks for the Buffalo Bills' top pick in the 1986 draft.

They then used that pick to select Kosar with the first overall pick in the 1985 supplemental draft. Sound complicated? The fact that Kosar effectively chose to play for the Browns made him an instant 'Dawg Pound' favorite, and when Bill Belichick released Kosar in 1993 and replaced him with Vinny Testaverde he lost the support of Cleveland's loyal fans.

1. 2012 prospect Josh Gordon can take some hope from Cris Carter's introduction to the NFL. Picked in the fourth round of the supplemental draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, Carter's NFL career didn’t begin well. After being released by Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan following extensive off-field problems with drugs, Carter excelled with the Minnesota Vikings in his second NFL stop, putting together a career that could one day have him in Canton.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

IIRC Jamal the Wall Williams NT for SD was a supplemental pick

 

[Donnybrook]

WR Josh Gordon enters NFL Supplemental Draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

According to reports, wide receiver Josh Gordon will forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. A Baylor transfer, he sat out the 2011 season while enrolled at Utah. The Supplemental Draft is reportedly scheduled for July 12.

Gordon began his career at Baylor, setting career-bests in 2010 as a sophomore with 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. However his two-year stint with the Bears ended shortly before the 2011 season as he decided to leave the program after he was suspended indefinitely for an off-campus drug arrest. Gordon joined Utah and began practicing with his new team, but was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. In August 2011, Utah head coach Kyle Willingham said the Utes "did their homework" on Gordon and felt he "deserves a second chance." But the wideout never officially played for Utah, leaving the program for undisclosed reasons.

Gordon has tremendous speed and natural athleticism for his 6-4, 220-pound frame, but is still very rough around the edges as a receiver. He is a long-striding runner with the build-up speed and fluidity to make plays after the catch. Gordon is raw as a route runner and has only one true season of playing experience in college and that came in Baylor's high-octane offense, catching passes from Robert Griffin III. He also carries off-field concerns stemming from his past drug arrest and has now decided to leave two different college programs, creating some concern about his professional demeanor.

In 2010, Baylor's top-three leading receivers were Gordon, Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams. Wright was drafted in the first round this past April and Williams is considered a possible first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. That leaves Gordon who has the athletic skill-set to be selected in the first four rounds, but his inexperience and questionable background will drop him down draft boards. As unpredictable as the NFL Supplemental Draft is each year, Gordon will certainly be a wildcard on July 12.

i will be surprised if Gordon gets drafted at all. I just don't imagine many teams taking a chance on him.

 

[lbouchard]

WR Josh Gordon enters NFL Supplemental Draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

According to reports, wide receiver Josh Gordon will forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. A Baylor transfer, he sat out the 2011 season while enrolled at Utah. The Supplemental Draft is reportedly scheduled for July 12.

Gordon began his career at Baylor, setting career-bests in 2010 as a sophomore with 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. However his two-year stint with the Bears ended shortly before the 2011 season as he decided to leave the program after he was suspended indefinitely for an off-campus drug arrest. Gordon joined Utah and began practicing with his new team, but was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. In August 2011, Utah head coach Kyle Willingham said the Utes "did their homework" on Gordon and felt he "deserves a second chance." But the wideout never officially played for Utah, leaving the program for undisclosed reasons.

Gordon has tremendous speed and natural athleticism for his 6-4, 220-pound frame, but is still very rough around the edges as a receiver. He is a long-striding runner with the build-up speed and fluidity to make plays after the catch. Gordon is raw as a route runner and has only one true season of playing experience in college and that came in Baylor's high-octane offense, catching passes from Robert Griffin III. He also carries off-field concerns stemming from his past drug arrest and has now decided to leave two different college programs, creating some concern about his professional demeanor.

In 2010, Baylor's top-three leading receivers were Gordon, Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams. Wright was drafted in the first round this past April and Williams is considered a possible first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. That leaves Gordon who has the athletic skill-set to be selected in the first four rounds, but his inexperience and questionable background will drop him down draft boards. As unpredictable as the NFL Supplemental Draft is each year, Gordon will certainly be a wildcard on July 12.

i will be surprised if Gordon gets drafted at all. I just don't imagine many teams taking a chance on him.

I will be shocked if Gordon doesn't get drafted. 6'4" with a sub 4.4 forty. Someone is going to take a chance

 

[Faust]

Writer: Don’t expect Redskins to reunite Josh Gordon with Robert Griffin III

By Josh Friemel / Special Contributor

In the 2010 CFB season, Robert Griffin III and Josh Gordon were on the same Baylor team. Now that Gordon is entering the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, there is a possibility that he and Griffin could be reunited on the field.

But don’t look for that to happen, as Washington Redskins blogger Rich Tandler writes.

‘I wouldn’t look for the Redskins to take him,’ Tandler writes. ‘Besides receiver being a very crowded spot already, Gordon was suspended after a drug arrest at Baylor. The Redskins have their fill of that issue and it is doubtful they will add another. We’ll take a closer look at the others when the draft gets closer.’

Baylor fans, would you like to see a reunion in Washington?

 

[Faust]

Former Baylor WR Josh Gordon applies for Supplemental Draft

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 2, 2012, 9:57 AM EDT

If youre big enough and fast enough, they will find you.

According to Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com, theres another player in the NFLs annual Supplemental Draft, one with the kind of speed to intrigue teams regardless his background.

Former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon will make himself available, after not playing last season while transferring to Utah. He was suspended by Baylor for violating team rules in 2011.

He had 42 receptions for 714 yards (17.0 per catch) and seven touchdowns in 2010, and has been clocked in the low 4.3-second range while at Baylor.

TCU running back Ed Wesley has also declared for the less-publicized version of the Annual Selection Meeting, which is scheduled to be held July 12. The Supplemental Draft is for players who didnt declare for the previous draft but whose status has changed since then. If a team takes a player in the Supplemental Draft, they lose the corresponding selection next spring.

Oakland made the only pick last year, taking quarterback Terrelle Pryor in the third round.

 

[Faust]

Sigmund Bloom wrote two articles on Josh Gordon and the Supplemental Draft:

Possible Destinations for NFL Supplemental Draft Wide Receiver Josh Gordon

How High Will Josh Gordon Go in the NFL Supplemental Draft?

 

[Faust]

Supplemental Draft Prospects

Josh Norris

In the past half decade, the Supplemental Draft has offered less than adequate talent. In fact, in order to find impactful players only 2007 fifth-round pick Jared Gaither and 2006 third-round pick Ahmad Brooks stand out, but even the latter took time to develop. Despite the lack of talent, at least one player has been selected every year in recent history excluding 2008, with multiple third-round picks used as of late (Terrelle Pryor, Jeremy Jarmon, and Brooks). Could a similar talent rise from this year's crop? Below are brief evaluations of players already committed to this year's Supplemental Draft (on July 12th) and the list will be updated throughout the week as more names are released.

TCU RB Ed Wesley (5'9/200/4.46)

Positives: Blessed with a thick build, Wesley uses his low center of gravity to break plenty of tackles. He may look top heavy at times, but Wesley consistently lowers his shoulders through the hole with both arms covering the football and frequently bounces off first contact. When the hole is there, he has no problem bursting through it and utilizes small movements at the second level instead of making himself an easy target by running straight ahead. These subtleties show Wesley keeps his eyes up, reading the defense and occasionally changing sides of the field on downfield runs to open space. Wesley does favor his lateral hop, but it is somewhat understandable because the movement certainly covers a lot of ground quickly. Career stats: 387 rushes for 2442 yards, 21 touchdowns. He only hauled in 22 receptions in three years of quality production for 314 yards and three touchdowns. 11 punt returns for 120 yards.

Negatives: Wesley is far too indecisive behind the line of scrimmage. If the running lane is not a clear path, he goes into a bit of a panic with plenty of wasted movement. As mentioned previously, Wesley favors the lateral hop, either to stretch well defended runs outside or to work back between the tackles. Too often he was tackled for a loss with his feet frozen. Wesley is game when getting physical in pass protection but is repeatedly pushed back on first contact. He is listed as having high 4.4 ability, but I did not see flashes of breakaway speed likely due to two reasons: he ran in plenty of trash at the second level while focusing on staying on his feet, and he constantly used quick movements to evade rather than trying to build speed and out run tacklers. Wesley missed three games last year due to a shoulder injury but finished the season strong.

Outlook: It is obvious Wesley is a tough runner that offers a nice base and low center of gravity to pick up extra yards after contact. However, his indecision behind the line of scrimmage is readily apparent, stutter stepping when a running lane is not clear. It undoubtedly does not look like patience. There is a lot to like past the line of scrimmage, where Wesley uses quick movements, vision, and power to pick up quality yards between the numbers. With that said, I prefer him over drafted running backs like Terrance Ganaway, Dan Herron, and Alfred Morris so a sixth- or seventh-round selection is likely but he certainly could go undrafted and sign on with a team as a free agent. It helps Wesley's cause that he is leaving TCU on his own terms for family reasons rather than off-field field issues forcing his decision, although no specifics were given.

Baylor WR Josh Gordon (6'3/220/4.43)

Positives: From the start it is apparent that Gordon offers a great combination of size and speed. Almost strictly lining up as an outside receiver, Gordon did most of his damage on bubble screens and when running sideline curls as a run/pass option for Robert Griffin III. There were flashes where he dealt with physical defensive backs downfield with persistence or a lean to evade. Even more impressively, Gordon showed glimpses of being a more than capable lead blocker on the edge, paving the way for long runs by a trailing Kendall Wright after a short screen. Unlike other long wide receivers, Gordon builds up speed fairly quickly and continues that straight line pace while tracking targets over his shoulder.

Negatives: As I stated before, Gordon lined up almost strictly as an outside receiver (when disregarding bubble screens where his job was solely to block). That is to be expected due to his 6'3/220 pound frame, but he is not the same quick twitch athlete as other Baylor wideouts. This is obvious when Gordon attempts to run after the catch, as he is almost a one move or straight-line runner that has difficulties bending or cutting to evade. This lower body stiffness is hidden in routes due to the limited route tree Gordon was asked to run in Baylor's fast paced offense. He tracks the ball well vertically and even left his feet on occasion but could not come down with the reception in traffic, failing to create that sliver of separation at the catch point. Most of all, Gordon faced an indefinite suspension at Baylor after the 2010 season after being charged in a Taco Bell drive-thru with possession of marijuana. He then transferred to Houston last year and was forced by rule to sit out last season.

Outlook: Gordon seems to be drawing the most media interest leading up to July 12 and I am left wondering why. Sure, he offers a 6'3 frame and is said to run a mid 4.4 forty, but to me the positives nearly end there. Straight-line speed is great, but he struggled to bend when changing directions on breaking routes, albeit a small route sample size at Baylor. There were times where Gordon was an efficient edge blocker, but just as often he showed little effort and overextended all the way to the ground. To top it off, there are multiple character questions that teams will have to answer in a short period of time. Gordon opted out of one problem by choosing to transfer following an arrest rather than working through the issue at Baylor. Then, instead of proving that the transfer was the correct decision by playing this season, he bolts to the NFL. So we are left with a prospect that hasn't touched the field in a game situation in over a year, has always been more of an athlete than receiver, and has unanswered off-field flags? Count me out. Team's overvalue draft picks, especially future selections, so I would be surprised if Gordon draws more than a sixth-round bid.

 

[eaglezzz]

Dolphins or Texans are the easy call here, but maybe my Eagles will take a stab at him, could use a 6'4" guy

 

[Donnybrook]

WR Josh Gordon enters NFL Supplemental Draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

According to reports, wide receiver Josh Gordon will forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. A Baylor transfer, he sat out the 2011 season while enrolled at Utah. The Supplemental Draft is reportedly scheduled for July 12.

Gordon began his career at Baylor, setting career-bests in 2010 as a sophomore with 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. However his two-year stint with the Bears ended shortly before the 2011 season as he decided to leave the program after he was suspended indefinitely for an off-campus drug arrest. Gordon joined Utah and began practicing with his new team, but was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. In August 2011, Utah head coach Kyle Willingham said the Utes "did their homework" on Gordon and felt he "deserves a second chance." But the wideout never officially played for Utah, leaving the program for undisclosed reasons.

Gordon has tremendous speed and natural athleticism for his 6-4, 220-pound frame, but is still very rough around the edges as a receiver. He is a long-striding runner with the build-up speed and fluidity to make plays after the catch. Gordon is raw as a route runner and has only one true season of playing experience in college and that came in Baylor's high-octane offense, catching passes from Robert Griffin III. He also carries off-field concerns stemming from his past drug arrest and has now decided to leave two different college programs, creating some concern about his professional demeanor.

In 2010, Baylor's top-three leading receivers were Gordon, Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams. Wright was drafted in the first round this past April and Williams is considered a possible first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. That leaves Gordon who has the athletic skill-set to be selected in the first four rounds, but his inexperience and questionable background will drop him down draft boards. As unpredictable as the NFL Supplemental Draft is each year, Gordon will certainly be a wildcard on July 12.

i will be surprised if Gordon gets drafted at all. I just don't imagine many teams taking a chance on him.

I will be shocked if Gordon doesn't get drafted. 6'4" with a sub 4.4 forty. Someone is going to take a chance

Did he actually run a sub 4.4 forty? Or did his agent say he can? Few prospects actually live up to the hype. Dale Moss is 6'3", 213 pounds and has legimate 4.4 speed and hops and did not get drafted. Gordon has character issues and hasn't played football in 2 years. I won't be surprised if teams pass.

 

[Faust]

Josh Gordon: Lande: Josh Gordon is early 2nd-round talent

After doing tape study of Baylor WR Josh Gordon, Sporting News draft analyst Russ Lande assigned the Supplemental Draft prospect an early second-round grade.

Lande is high on Gordon's speed/athleticism combination, and believes he has speed to create separation down the football field. Lande also says Gordon has "soft, natural hands," going so far as to suggest Gordon's 2010 film was superior to 2012 first-round pick Kendall Wright's. The two were teammates at Baylor. On game tape alone, Lande rates Gordon higher than Brian Quick and Stephen Hill.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

There is no way Gordon goes for even a 4th, never mind a 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Faust]

2012 NFL Supplemental Draft: Josh Gordon Called 4th Round Pick By Mel Kiper

by Matt Conner

The NFL Supplemental Draft is always an odd crap shoot for both front offices and fans. With only 41 players taken in the 35 year history of the draft, there's little to no reason for fans to even hope their team might add a player. Even still, the success rate is not good for those few who are chosen. Yet with a number of supplemental draft players who have turned in impressive NFL careers, it's enough to make any fan hope in the NFL's slow summer season.

The most promising prospect for this year's draft is Josh Gordon, a former Baylor wide receiver who has impressed with both his size and speed. In fact, he could find teams fighting for him and willing to spend a mid-round selection.

Mel Kiper Jr.

✔@MelKiperESPN

Former Baylor WR Josh Gordon (talented 6-3-220 pounder with 4.40 speed & big hands) could be a 4th rd pick in July 12 Supplemental Draft.

Gordon could definitely help a team looking for a nice wideout to develop and he proved he can find the red zone with the Bears with 7 touchdowns his final season with the team. Unfortunately, like any Supplemental Draft prospect, the question marks often outweigh the reality.

 

[Faust]

2012 NFL Supplemental Draft: Josh Gordon Scouting Report

Written by Eric Galko

Each year, the Supplemental Draft occurs in mid-July as a way for prospects who didn't declare for the draft the year before, but are either set to suspended for a meaningful amount of time or have an impending infraction that will severely hurt their stock in the future.

Because of how quickly this process begins (mid June) and ends (July 12th this year), it leaves scouts and GMs scrambling for information and left with brief, non-in depth scouting reports and background checks. Most times, these prospects are either riddled with character issues and/or aren't NFL worthy.

However, former Baylor and Utah receiver Josh Gordon is certainly worth the NFL's time. And after watching two games during his time at Baylor and hearing reports that he looked equally (if not better) at Utah, I broke down Gordon as best I could on limited and older film.

Built the Part of an NFL Receiver

Just by looking at his raw numbers, it's hard not to be impressed by his natural 6',4, 220 pound listed size. And on film, he looks the part, built well in the upper half and not fragile in his legs the way some lanky receivers can get.

In my 2013 NFL Draft scouting, just four receiver prospects at 6'4 or bigger caught my eye as draftable talents. Players with his size with his long arms don't come around very often at receiver. And even more rare, few can run and move in the short area as well as he does.

Natural Talents Jump Off Film

For a 6'4 receiver, Gordon shows great explosiveness in the open field. Flashed as a kick returner in some of the games I saw, he gets to his top speed quickly, runs smoothly and doesn't have much wasted movement to get upfield. While his length doesn't allow him to be dominant as a downfield runner through traffic, he does have the body control and balance to avoid and bounce through traffic, something that could especially improve with NFL added bulk.

As a receiver, he grabs the ball away from his body smoothly and has natural steps to transition upfield. He doesn't have dynamic turn and run ability after the catch, but never really had the chance to thrive in that area thanks to a lot of hitch routes arriving late thanks to a mis-timing quarterback (Robert Griffin as a sophomore).

Finally, his blocking ability really was apparent on film. He delivers a pop, extends, and finishes blocks (rare compared to most college big talent receivers). He also showed composure and focus on his blocks, keeping his hands in tight, keeping his feet upfield, not losing leverage vs. cornerbacks towards the play side, and not committing penalties.

Concerns Still Linger

In Baylor's very simple 2010 offense, Gordon didn't have a chance to develop as a route runner what such ever. A majority of his routes as the "X" receiver were vertical routes, 5-10 option hitches, or quick screen plays. That lack of route development is a concern and something that will take time in the NFL.

And while his blocking ability and run after catch break-tackle ability showed some power as an athlete, he didn't seem to have a consistent physicality to his game, especially as a downfield route runner. He was bumped off his route at times against lesser cornerbacks, and wasn't able to get the downfield separation that a receiver for his size should thrive with.

Don't forget the reason he's in the Supplemental Draft: Off the field issues. He was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession in 2010 while at Baylor, which was a main reason he decided to transfer. Now, he's left Utah for undisclosed but likely not ideal reasons.

Adjustment to the NFL

As I said in last year's Supplemental Draft preview , joining an NFL team in July isn't easy for a player's development. The team that does take you doesn't know a whole lot about your talents, they have to teach you an offense other rookies have had for 3 months, and you haven't had the chance to work out with NFL teams.

Gordon won't make an impact by opening day, that's for sure. He hasn't played an actual game in over a year, and may not be in ideal conditioning. And, don't forget he doesn't have great route polish and doesn't have NFL physicality yet.

That being said, Gordon has a chance to make an impact as a rookie, obviously depending on which team he ends up on. Because of his potential impact late in year one and high ceiling as a prospect to eventually be an NFL "X" receiver, his value as a prospect puts him around a 2nd rounder. I'd compare him to Greg Little (2011 draft pick to the Browns) or Stephen Hill (2012 draft pick to the Jets) as a prospect, and both went in that area.

With a 3rd round grade and thanks to the fact NFL teams generally drop a grade, teams will start to consider him in the late 3rd to early 4th round area, with the 4th round probably his most likely.

Here are five teams that could consider him:

New England Patriots

-Always tough to figure out how they're going to use their picks, a dynamic playmaker to stash sounds like Belichek's MO.

Cincinnati Bengals

-History of taking troubled talents, plus they have an extra 2nd rounder thanks to the Carson Palmer trade. Could consider a 2nd or a 3rd rounder for him.

Miami Dolphins

-Obviously lack depth at receiver, plus they have an extra 3rd rounder thanks to the Brandon Marshall trade. They were interested in another troubled receiver last year: Justin Blackmon.

Carolina Panthers

-Extra 3rd rounder in 2013, plus they could use another athletic playmaker for Cam Newton.

Minnesota Vikings

-Extra 4th rounder in 2013, plus they may need to find a developmental replacement for Percy Harvin. Worth the gamble.

 

[Faust]

Should the Redskins Submit a Pick For WR Josh Gordon in the NFL Supplemental Draft?

by Steve Shoup

Before I get into specifics about wide receiver Josh Gordon, I wanted to highlight some of the positives and negatives with the NFL Supplemental Draft:

Positives:

-Typically you can get a player a round or two higher than they’d go in the draft the following April (assuming they would have a productive final season), making it a great ‘buy low’ option

-You get value for that pick a year early, no other team is really getting value for their draft picks next year, this season. While some might point to cases where future picks were traded for a veteran, remember those are short term fixes as the team inherits a far larger contract and likely fewer years of team control. In situations where multiple picks are traded for one, so the value is split amongst those picks. Even in the case where a team trades a future selection straight up for a draft pick in the current year, typically they are paying a higher round value, i.e. when the Panthers traded a 2011 2nd rounder for a late 3rd round pick in 2010. That is the opposite value level.

-In addition to getting the pick a year early, you are also likely to get high value in the actual pick year, since the player will already have a year in the system.

Negatives:

-That pick reaches free agency a year early, every other 2013 2nd-7th round draft pick won’t hit free agency until after the 2017 season, a supplemental pick will be eligible after 2016.

-They are behind the curve, since they aren’t selected till mid-July, they will have missed a number mini-camps and OTA’s, not to mention 2 and a half months of learning the playbook. That lessens their chance for impact early.

-The picks are riskier. Typically if a player is in the Supplemental Draft, they are in (or have been) some sort of trouble, whether it is legal or academic it can be a red flag. In addition, these picks are not vetted nearly as well. You have one less year of evaluation, and may not have gotten the scouts full attention given that they weren’t a senior and didn’t appear to be a priority junior. Also there isn’t the same All-star game, Combine and Pro Day circuit, that helps weed out quite a few potential busts. You just aren’t going to have the time to typically get the same level of information you would for that particular pick in the following draft.

The names of the players eligible for the Supplemental Draft came out today and the consenus quickly became clear that the best name from the group is wide receiver Josh Gordon from Baylor. Now to the heart of the matter is whether or not the Redskins should submit a pick for Gordon in the draft on July, 12th.

Gordon is expected to generate interest in the 3rd to 4th round range, and it is easy to see why. He is expected to measure in at over 6’3″ and 225 lbs, with his speed rumored to be about 4.4. In 2010 (as a true Sophomore) he finished with 42 receptions, 714 yards, 7 TD’s and a 17.0 ypc average. Despite being on a team that featured Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams (a potential top 50 pick next April), Gordon more than held his own. And according to some scouts might have the highest upside of the bunch. While Wright and Williams saw their numbers (and stock) increase this past year, Gordon remains a bit of a mystery, as he had to sit out due to transferring, after a drug arrest got him kicked off the Baylor squad.

Gordon carries some risk, but he could also carry a pretty big reward for the Redskins. His size/speed combo could be a major addition to the Redskins, who generally lack size among their receivers. While currently the Redskins can feel pretty confident about their receiving corps for 2012, things could get a little murky by 2013. Santana Moss’s contract is probably untenable given their potential cap issues, which could leave a sizable void if Josh Morgan and Leonard Hankerson (both recovering from injury) can’t step up. 2013 will also be Morgan’s final year as his contract voids after the season, leaving the Redskins fairly shorthanded at receiver. Given the likely cap issues, and what they’ve invested so far, the Redskins likely won’t be able to spend significantly on the position for at least a couple of years, and really can’t afford to use their 2nd or 3rd round picks the next few seasons on the position. This means, one way or another the Redskins will likely need to go bargain shopping for receivers after this season, and Gordon could easily represent the best value the Redskins are likely to see in the bargain bin.

Typically I’d be against giving up future selections given the Redskins pick and pick value deficit, until after the Robert Griffin deal is paid off, but this could be an exception. In this case the Redskins could be a player more valuable than what the pick is worth, which can help make up for that deficit. Despite their being some talk of a team using a 3rd round pick on Gordon, I’m guessing the 4th round will be the more likely target, and that would be the pick I’d use (note: I wouldn’t do the 3rd rounder, even if it was thought you might miss out on him). The Redskins can also trade back in either the 2nd or 3rd round to pick up an extra 4th next year, to further make up for the lost value.

The other reason I think this could make some sense for the Redskins is the Baylor factor. Assuming they don’t hate each other for some reason, Gordon could be a very interesting fit with Robert Griffin. They spent two years playing together at Baylor, so Griffin can give the Redskins great insight into Gordon. Also that familiarity could help both Gordon and Griffin develop quicker. Also, given how intense the Redskins pursued and evaluated Griffin, they should have better insight and sources in the area on Gordon than most NFL teams.

So what do you think? Is Josh Gordon worth using a 2013 4th round pick on to basically stash away for a year?

 

[msommer]

by Steve Shoup

The other reason I think this could make some sense for the Redskins is the Baylor factor. Assuming they don’t hate each other for some reason, Gordon could be a very interesting fit with Robert Griffin. They spent two years playing together at Baylor, so Griffin can give the Redskins great insight into Gordon. Also that familiarity could help both Gordon and Griffin develop quicker. Also, given how intense the Redskins pursued and evaluated Griffin, they should have better insight and sources in the area on Gordon than most NFL teams.

It never seems to amaze me that people seem to equate familiarity with positive reviews. While RGIII undoubtedly knows all the good things about Josh Gordon, he also knows whether he is lazy, an jerk in the locker room, or has a hard time remembering his routes in the huddle or at practice. It goes both ways

 

[Xue]

WR Josh Gordon enters NFL Supplemental Draft

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst

According to reports, wide receiver Josh Gordon will forego his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft. A Baylor transfer, he sat out the 2011 season while enrolled at Utah. The Supplemental Draft is reportedly scheduled for July 12.

Gordon began his career at Baylor, setting career-bests in 2010 as a sophomore with 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. However his two-year stint with the Bears ended shortly before the 2011 season as he decided to leave the program after he was suspended indefinitely for an off-campus drug arrest. Gordon joined Utah and began practicing with his new team, but was forced to sit out last season due to transfer rules. In August 2011, Utah head coach Kyle Willingham said the Utes "did their homework" on Gordon and felt he "deserves a second chance." But the wideout never officially played for Utah, leaving the program for undisclosed reasons.

Gordon has tremendous speed and natural athleticism for his 6-4, 220-pound frame, but is still very rough around the edges as a receiver. He is a long-striding runner with the build-up speed and fluidity to make plays after the catch. Gordon is raw as a route runner and has only one true season of playing experience in college and that came in Baylor's high-octane offense, catching passes from Robert Griffin III. He also carries off-field concerns stemming from his past drug arrest and has now decided to leave two different college programs, creating some concern about his professional demeanor.

In 2010, Baylor's top-three leading receivers were Gordon, Kendall Wright and Terrance Williams. Wright was drafted in the first round this past April and Williams is considered a possible first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. That leaves Gordon who has the athletic skill-set to be selected in the first four rounds, but his inexperience and questionable background will drop him down draft boards. As unpredictable as the NFL Supplemental Draft is each year, Gordon will certainly be a wildcard on July 12.

i will be surprised if Gordon gets drafted at all. I just don't imagine many teams taking a chance on him.

I will be shocked if Gordon doesn't get drafted. 6'4" with a sub 4.4 forty. Someone is going to take a chance

Did he actually run a sub 4.4 forty? Or did his agent say he can? Few prospects actually live up to the hype. Dale Moss is 6'3", 213 pounds and has legimate 4.4 speed and hops and did not get drafted. Gordon has character issues and hasn't played football in 2 years. I won't be surprised if teams pass.

Gordon is roughly the same size as Michael Floyd and looks a bit faster. Doubt he is a 4.3x guy, more like 4.40-4.44.http://www.twitvid.com/J1Q6D

 

[Faust]

Handsome Hank’s Supplemental Mock Draft

Mostly in jest, but he has Washington selecting Josh Gordon, WR, Baylor with their fifth round pick and he has Cincinnati selecting Ed Wesley, RB, TCU in the sixth round.

 

[Faust]

Josh Gordon: Supplemental Draft hopefuls to hold Pro Days

NFL hopefuls WR Josh Gordon, RB Ed Wesley, and CB Quaylon Ewing will hold Pro Day workouts for interested teams early next week prior to the July 12 Supplemental Draft.

No locations have been disclosed, but Wesley's workout is expected to take place on Monday and Gordon's on Tuesday. We will certainly pass along which teams sent scouts to the events if that information surfaces, since it should show the interested parties. Gordon has easily received the most attention of the group, even drawing a high second-round grade from former NFL personnel man Russ Lande.

 

[GregR]

Evan Silva ‏@evansilvaHeard reliably that there's no chance Josh Gordon will get past 3rd round of Supp Draft. One NFC East team will take him if he's there.

 

[Faust]

Josh Gordon: Baylor officials preferred Gordon over Wright

During his time at Baylor, high-ranking members of the football team believed WR Josh Gordon was a better prospect than Kendall Wright.

Wright, who led the team in receiving in all four of his years at Baylor, was just drafted by the Tennessee Titans with pick No. 20. It is tough for us to compare the two receivers, since Wright stands at 5'10/196 pounds and will do his best work form the slot, while Gordon checks in at 6'2/220 pounds and projects as an outside target. Gordon left Baylor after his sophomore season, which is the last time he has touched the field in a game situation, so this opinion could be considered dated. Still, it is something to keep in mind during Thursday's Supplemental Draft. Although his onfield resume is lacking, Gordon has the size, speed, and in turn potential, that NFL teams covet. Jul. 7 - 5:21 pm et

 

[Jail]

Evan Silva ‏@evansilvaHeard reliably that there's no chance Josh Gordon will get past 3rd round of Supp Draft. One NFC East team will take him if he's there.

Wow, thats very interesting. My first thought, though, is that someone may be using Silva to get this news out there, and whether or not it is the truth is another issue.

 

[lbouchard]

There is no way Gordon goes for even a 4th, never mind a 2nd or 3rd.

I guarantee you Gordon goes 4th round or higher

 

[cstu]

There is no way Gordon goes for even a 4th, never mind a 2nd or 3rd.

I guarantee you Gordon goes 4th round or higher

 

[Faust]

Josh Gordon reportedly won't fall past third round

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

In Around the League's heart-stopping Supplemental Mock Draft 1.0, we had former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon getting drafted in the fourth round. One report suggests that's a round too late.

Evan Silva of ProFootballTalk and Rotoworld reports that at least one NFC team has assigned a third-round grade on Gordon. Some Baylor folks believed Gordon was a superior player to Tennessee Titans first-round draft pick Kendall Wright when both players were at Baylor.

On Silva's Twitter account, he goes even further. He said there's "no chance" Gordon will get past the third round and added the team is from the NFC East. Which means we are going to conduct some irresponsible guesswork.

It's hard to imagine the New York Giants would be interested in Gordon considering their depth at receiver. (They also just drafted LSU's Reuben Randle.) The Philadelphia Eagles seems like a long shot with all their talent at the position.

That leaves Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, two teams that could certainly use a developmental wideout. (Our Supplemental Draft correspondent Henry Hogdson had the Redskins taking Gordon in our mock draft.) Dallas has a huge need at its No. 3 position, and Jerry Jones isn't afraid to be aggressive. Washington used a pick in the third round of the 2009 supplemental draft on Jeremy Jarmon.

The Supplemental Draft is a lot like NFL free agency. It's never a bad thing if the Cowboys or Redskins get involved.

 

[FavreCo]

I'll go with Gibson to the Redskins in the 3rd.

 

[Bigboy10182000]

Why does it seem like every year there's a lot of hype about the supp guys and they all end up sucking?

 

[Riffraff]

Per multiple twitter feeds:

According to sources, TCU RB Ed Wesley measured in 5' 8" and weighed 196. He ran 4.68 and 4.72

....

Pretty slow for a small guy.

 

[lbouchard]

Why does it seem like every year there's a lot of hype about the supp guys and they all end up sucking?

There's not a lot of hype

 

[Faust]

Despite reports otherwise, RB Wesley looked 'athletic' at Pro Day

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

Representatives of 12 NFL teams were on the TCU campus Monday to watch the Pro Day workout of former Horned Frog running back Ed Wesley.

Wesley is one of eight former college players who the NFL has granted special eligibility for inclusion in Thursday's Supplemental Draft. He, along with Baylor wideout Josh Gordon and Carson Newman inside linebacker Larry Lumpkin, is considered one of the front runners to be selected. Only Gordon (whose Pro Day will take place Tuesday) is viewed as a shoo-in to be drafted.

While Gordon has dominated the hype preceding Thursday's draft, Wesley's workout likely assured that he'll be signed as an undrafted free agent if he isn't selected outright.

According to Wesley's agent, Jordan Woy, in addition to the 12 teams that were on hand for the Pro Day, another six teams requested the back's results by Monday evening.

Wesley measured in slightly smaller than expected at 5-08 (and 3/8) and 196 pounds and was clocked at a relatively pedestrian 4.67-4.75 seconds on his two runnings of the 40-yard dash.

While these times aren't as fast as scouts would have hoped, one scout speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed surprise when he learned of the negative reaction in the media to Wesley's numbers.

"Look, he wasn't in tip-top shape. And the forty time is slower than you'd like, especially for a back of that size. But we could see on tape that he wasn't a burner.

The reality is it isn't fair to compare this guy who has had a couple of weeks to prepare for his Pro Day to guys drafted in April who had three times as long before their workouts."

The scout brings up an excellent point (and it, of course, was echoed by Woy).

Still, in this business, comparing athlete's numbers is part of the deal. So, to put Wesley's 40-yard dash time in perspective, consider that of the seven running backs tested this past year in Indianapolis at the Scouting Combine who were clocked with an equal or slower time than Wesley's 4.67, none were under 219 pounds.

Straight-line speed, however, is far from the only way of determining a running back's talent. Some believe, in fact, that the speed demonstrated by running in shorts in a direct line may be the most overrated element in grading backs. Vision, lateral agility, balance and burst are four traits I personally value more than a 40-yard dash time when it comes to grading potential NFL ball-carriers.

Which is why Wesley's numbers in the "other" events of his Pro Day are perhaps a better indication of his athleticism. Below are Wesley's results (based on the conversation with Woy as well as with multiple league sources). In parenthesis next to each result is where Wesley's marks would have ranked among the 28 running backs tested this past year in Indianapolis.

As you'll see, Wesley's workout wasn't nearly as poor as some have suggested.

Three Cone Drill: 6.91-6.93 seconds (4th among 28 backs at the 2012 Combine, notably faster than David Wilson -- 7.09 or Isaiah Pead -- 6.95)

Short Shuttle: 4.18-4.21 seconds (tied for 9th among 28 backs tested at 2012 Combine)

Long Shuttle: 11.68-11.73 seconds (would have ranked 6th among the nine who tested in this event at the Combine)

Bench Press: 19 repetitions of 225 pounds (tied for 11th)

Broad Jump: 9'6 (tied for 10th)

Vertical Jump: 34" (tied for 9th)

Wesley's Pro Day workout demonstrated that he has the athleticism to compete at the NFL level. He rushed for 2,442 yards and 21 touchdowns over his career, earning First Team Mountain West accolades in 2010. The fact that he's undersized, lacks elite speed and has struggled a bit with injuries (including a shoulder injury last season that kept him out of three games) is likely to be enough to keep an NFL team from investing a draft pick in him Thursday.

However, considering the interest teams have shown in him already, don't be surprised if Wesley signs on with a club if he, indeed, goes undrafted.

 

[Faust]

Despite pulled quad, Gordon impresses at Pro Day

By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com

A day after former TCU running back Ed Wesley demonstrated enough athleticism to potentially earn a late round selection in Thursday's supplemental draft, he was upstaged by Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon, who, by clocking in at 4.52 seconds and catching every pass thrown to him, may have legitimized the hype building around his NFL potential.

Gordon, who officially measured in at 6-3 (1/8) and 224 pounds, performed in front of representatives of 21 teams, according to Adam Caplan of Sirius XM NFL Radio. His workout, which was originally scheduled to take place at Rice University, was moved to the practice bubble at the Houston Texans' facility due to weather concerns.

Shortly after Gordon's workout, results of his time in the 40-yard dash spread over the internet. Caplan reported Gordon's time in this event at 4.52 seconds. A league source on hand for the workout told me he had clocked Gordon at 4.55 seconds on his first attempt but that Gordon pulled his left quadriceps on his second try. Because of the injury he did not participate in the three cone or shuttle drills. He did, however, register a 36" vertical jump, as well as a 10'1 broad jump, as well as run routes and catches passes from former Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead.

Gordon was "a little stiff" in his route-running, according to the league source but caught the ball cleanly throughout the workout, demonstrating the ability to snatch the ball out of the air as well as track it over his shoulder.

As I noted in the blog post yesterday detailing Wesley's Pro Day, it is important to keep in mind that the athletes prepping for the supplemental draft haven't had the same amount of time to prepare for their Pro Day workouts as most players competing at the Scouting Combine or on-campus workouts prior to the April draft.

Still, when comparing Gordon's numbers to receivers tested in Indianapolis this past year, it is clear that he's a unique athlete well worthy of strong consideration as early as the second to third round.

Giving Gordon the benefit of the doubt and using the 4.52 second time in the 40-yard dash as the barometer, the former Baylor wideout would have tied with former Penn State receiver Derek Moye for the 11th fastest time recorded by a pass-catcher timed in Indianapolis. More impressively, consider that of those timed faster than Gordon, none were lighter than his 224 pounds.

Gordon's vertical also would have tied him for 11th among receivers tested in Indianapolis this past year. His broad jump (10'1 or 121") would have tied him for ninth and is comparable to the results posted by Michael Floyd (122") and his former teammate at Baylor Kendall Wright (121"), each of whom were selected in the first round. Justin Blackmon, who was the first receiver selected in April, did not participate in the broad jump at the Combine but registered a 10'4 broad jump during his March 9 Pro Day.

"[Gordon] is a talented athlete," the league source said. "You could see that on the tape. But this workout helped. There is no question he has the physical skills to play at this level."

While Gordon clearly has the size and athleticism scouts are looking for, teams will have to weigh in the fact that he hasn't played football since 2010 and has a checkered past.

Gordon looked like a future star at Baylor just a few years ago. While Wright led the team in both catches (78) and receiving yards (952), Gordon finished with the same number of touchdowns (tied for team lead with seven) in much more limited opportunities (42 catches for 714 yards). Gordon only caught one pass (for seven yards) in 2009.

Gordon was reportedly arrested in October of 2010 for marijuana possession and told John McClain of the Houston Chronicle that he failed a drug test during his time at Baylor. He elected to transfer to the University of Utah after being indefinitely suspended by head coach Art Briles but wasn't able to play this past season due to the NCAA's requirement that players sit out one year if transferring to another FBS program. Rather than play for the Utes this season he elected to make himself available to the supplemental draft with eligility remaining.

As the league source noted, there is no denying Gordon's physical upside. However, there is enough concern that Gordon may lack the dedication necessary to ever take full advantage of his natural skill set. As such, the interviews he had with teams prior and following his Pro Day workout will wind up being much more important to determining his final grade than his performance in drills Tuesday.

With enough uncertainly around the situation, Gordon could "slip" to the fourth round or later despite the talent to warrant consideration earlier.

 

[Faust]

Supplemental draft primer: Josh Gordon has NFL teams buzzing

By Daniel Jeremiah

Analyst, NFL.com and NFL Network

The NFL Supplemental Draft will take place Thursday. Here's everything you need to know about the league's other selection process.

The supplemental draft operates differently than the regular NFL draft. Each team is given the opportunity to submit a bid on any player who is eligible for the supplemental draft. If interested, a team will send the league office an email with the round in which they would like to select a particular player. The team that submits the highest bid is awarded the rights to a player.

If multiple teams submit bids in the same round for the same player, the league will apply a weighted lottery system (performed immediately before the supplemental draft) to determine which team is awarded the player. The system is a bit complicated, but here are the basics:

• Each team's position will be weighted by assigning the weakest team the greatest number of lottery chances and the strongest team the fewest number. Team strength and weakness will be determined by the order of the first round of the previous April's draft, exclusive of any trades.

• Once these values are assigned, teams are split into three groups: 1) Teams that won six or fewer games in the previous regular season; 2) Remaining non-playoff teams; 3) The 12 playoff participants.

• A lottery is performed within each group to produce the order of that group's teams, with the overall order progressing from Group 1 to Group 2 to Group 3.

If a team is successful in its bid, that team forfeits its draft pick in the April draft for the round in which it bid.

Eligible players

Quaylon Ewing-Burton, CB, Boise State

Josh Gordon, WR, Utah/Baylor

Adam Harris, RB, Syracuse

Adrian Haughton, OT, Iowa State

Larry Lumpkin, LB, Carson-Newman

Montez Robinson, DE, Georgia

Houston Tuminello, WR, McMurray/Louisiana Tech

Ed Wesley, RB, TCU

Players likely to be selected

Gordon, the former Utah/Baylor wideout, is the only player whom I anticipate being selected in this year's supplemental draft. He is a very intriguing prospect because of his combination of size, speed and athleticism. At his Tuesday workout before a reported 21 NFL teams, Gordon measured 6-foot-3, weighed 224 pounds and posted a respectable 4.52 40-yard dash time.

He was a very productive receiver in Baylor's offense before he was dismissed from the team in August 2011 for off-field issues. During the 2010 season, he hauled in 42 balls for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. Most impressively, he averaged 17 yards per catch. He decided to transfer to the University of Utah, where he was required to sit out during the 2011 season (so he never actually played a down for the Utes).

I attended a Utah practice last fall while scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, and several Utes coaches told me to keep an eye on Gordon. He wasn't eligible to play on Saturdays, but he was very easy to spot on the practice field. He has an ideal NFL body for the wide receiver position. He's tall with a lean, muscular build and long arms.

He's very exciting to watch on tape. He can gain ground very quickly with his long stride, has a huge catching radius and can create after the catch with both speed and elusiveness.

Gordon's decision to declare for the supplemental draft quickly generated a lot of buzz in the scouting community. All 32 teams have spent the past few weeks scrambling to dig into his background at both Baylor and Utah. His stock might take a little hit because of his off-field issues, but I've been told by several sources that he has a strong backing from the entire Baylor coaching staff. That will help ease some concerns of NFL teams.

TCU running back Ed Wesley is the second-best pro prospect in this group. He has been a very productive college runner, but his lack of size and top-end speed (he ran a 4.68 40-yard dash at his recent workout) will likely keep him from being selected. He shouldn't have any trouble finding a team to sign with once the draft has concluded.

Five potential fits for Gordon

Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones is never scared to take a risk. With Miles Austin and Dez Bryant already in place, the Cowboys could afford to take their time developing Gordon.



Seattle Seahawks

Pete Carroll loves size and speed. He also proved with the selection of 2012 first-rounder Bruce Irvin that he's willing to forgive a few off-field issues.

Cleveland Browns

Tom Heckert wants playmakers. Drafting former Alabama running back Trent Richardson was a great first step, but the Browns desperately need another outside weapon to pair with Greg Little.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins need to upgrade their talent at the receiver position. Even if Chad Ochocinco pans out, there is still plenty of room for a player with Gordon's ability.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams have attempted to address their need at the receiver position in each of the past two drafts, but the jury is still out on all of those players. Adding another young talent like Gordon doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

Prediction

The Browns will select Gordon in the third round of the supplemental draft.

 

[Carl Eller's Dead Liver]

So what time today do we find out?

 

[Faust]

So what time today do we find out?

I think it is at 1pm EST

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I'd be interested in seeing the results of the drawing for supplemental draft position if anyone comes across them.

As I understand it:

Teams with less than seven wins are randomly seeded, #1 to #10

Then teams with more than six wins that missed the playoffs are randomly seeded, #11 to #20

Then playoff teams are randomly seeded, #21 to #32

Makes it impossible to predict who will end up with Gordon. No guarantees that the worst 2011 team gets him even if they bid the best pick -- they could be beaten with the same pick by a team that did better in the lottery.

ETA: Independent of risk I think Gordon's worth a late first, but that in a normal draft he'd be dinged almost two full rounds for the character stuff. That'd be something like picks 75-80, or a mid third. There's probably some value in being able to pick up a player this year with one of next year's picks though, so I'll guess that it takes a 2nd from one of the playoff teams or a third from one of the 'bad' teams to land him.

 

[JHuber77]

My prediction.... Gordon to the 49ers in Round 2 as the 49ers will potentially have 13 picks in the draft and AJ Jenkins has already looked horrible.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I'd be interested in seeing the results of the drawing for supplemental draft position if anyone comes across them.As I understand it:Teams with less than seven wins are randomly seeded, #1 to #10Then teams with more than six wins that missed the playoffs are randomly seeded, #11 to #20Then playoff teams are randomly seeded, #21 to #32Makes it impossible to predict who will end up with Gordon. No guarantees that the worst 2011 team gets him even if they bid the best pick -- they could be beaten with the same pick by a team that did better in the lottery.ETA: Independent of risk I think Gordon's worth a late first, but that in a normal draft he'd be dinged almost two full rounds for the character stuff. That'd be something like picks 75-80, or a mid third. There's probably some value in being able to pick up a player this year with one of next year's picks though, so I'll guess that it takes a 2nd from one of the playoff teams or a third from one of the 'bad' teams to land him.

you sound like a guy who took him at 2.04 in a rookie draft.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I was ready to take him as a developmental pick a year ago even though he was rated outside the top 10 WRs in his class, but he got suspended a few weeks (IIRC) before our developmental draft. Loved what I could see at that time. Obviously the suspension and the year out of competitive football cooled my jets some and I'm a little disappointed with his workout Tuesday, but the fact that a guy with his problems is generating buzz/hype suggests he's got the tools to be pretty good.

And IMO picking up boom/bust guys like him cheap is the way to go IMO. Especially in short roster leagues like MOX where it's not too hard to pick up B-level talent off the WW.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

I was ready to take him as a developmental pick a year ago even though he was rated outside the top 10 WRs in his class, but he got suspended a few weeks (IIRC) before our developmental draft. Loved what I could see at that time. Obviously the suspension and the year out of competitive football cooled my jets some and I'm a little disappointed with his workout Tuesday, but the fact that a guy with his problems is generating buzz/hype suggests he's got the tools to be pretty good. And IMO picking up boom/bust guys like him cheap is the way to go IMO. Especially in short roster leagues like MOX where it's not too hard to pick up B-level talent off the WW.

i agree, just giving ya some flack.

 

[Tackling Dummies]

Cleveland in the 3rd

 

[Faust]

It’s a tough road for any of today’s Supplemental prospects

Posted by Darin Gantt on July 12, 2012, 12:37 PM EDT

In the next hour, Josh Gordon and the rest of the supplemental draft candidates will know their fate.

That’s just the beginning of their climb to an NFL job.

“It’s a catch-up game all the way,” running back Harvey Unga told Len Pasquarelli of The Sports Xchange. “No matter how good a learner you are, you have to work so hard to get caught up.”

Unga was taken by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2010 Supplemental Draft, but has yet to play in a game, showing the long odds for today’s candidates.

The rough road is partly because of all the offseason installation has happened without them, and they have such a short time to get ready for training camp.

“It’s hard because you’re kind of like the kid who starts classes a month or two [into the semester],” said Tony Hollings, a running back selected by the Texans in the second round in 2003. “You’re behind from day one.”

Hollings is the highest-drafted player since 1999, and his career was easy to forget. He started one game in 23 appearances, and never scored a touchdown. Last year’s pick, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, is clearly a long-term project for the Raiders.

But since 10 of the 41 players chosen since 1977 never played a snap in the league, it’s fair to wonder about the chances of any of the eight players eligible today.

 

[Faust]

WR Gordon fields mid-round interest

Posted July 11, 2012 @ 3:34 p.m. ET

By Nolan Nawrocki

Former Baylor WR Josh Gordon strongly figures to be the only player selected of eight that have been granted eligibility in Thursday’s supplemental draft. PFW surveyed a handful of NFL executives to gauge what round he will be plucked. Several said they would not touch Gordon at all because of considerable character concerns.

“He would be off our draft board if it were a normal draft in the spring,” one executive said, citing the documented suspension at Baylor related to multiple positive drug tests and off-field concerns dating back to high school. One GM noted that he did not consider Gordon to be an inherently "bad" kid but was troubled by the way his "history has (had) a way of repeating."

Two other GMs said they would not consider Gordon until the fourth round. Despite possessing elite athletic ability, big, very natural hands and prototype size (6-3 1/8, 224), Gordon is still raw as a route runner, having run a very limited route tree at Baylor. He needs considerable work on his release and has yet to adopt a professional work ethic. However, he showed he could be a big-play, vertical receiver in 2010, playing faster on the field than his low 4.5-timed speeds and remains an intriguing wild card if he passes the top three rounds.

“If you have a strong veteran receiver who can take him under his wing, you could think about it in the third,” one evaluator said. “He already missed all of OTAs and minicamps and is going to need time to figure it out conceptually.”

He has not played football for two years, having struggled to transition after transferring to Utah in 2011 and not qualifying academically at Houston in 2012.

The team best positioned to roll the dice is the 49ers, who own additional picks in the third, fourth and fifth rounds in 2013, and have taken chances on players with issues. However, after the signing of Randy Moss and the selection of A.J. Jenkins in the first round, the chances of earning a roster spot in San Francisco could be limited. The Vikings also have a luxury fourth-round pick in 2013 acquired from Detroit and could use more weapons for second-year QB Christian Ponder. The general consensus around the league, however, is that the Cowboys, Browns or Redskins are most likely to take a chance on Gordon early.

The way we hear it, the Cowboys do not intend to offer Dez Bryant a second contract and interviewed the Texas-grown Gordon closely. The Browns, who had targeted Gordon’s former teammate Kendall Wright with the 22nd pick in last April’s draft, worked him out and could stand to improve the supporting cast around rookie QB Brandon Weeden. The Redskins, who invested heavily in Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan in free agency, could benefit from a rapport already established with Robert Griffin III. Gordon has issues not unlike Brandon Marshall when then-Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan selected him in the fourth round in 2006 and are entering a critical season in the Shanahan era.

The Colts, Saints, Eagles, Panthers and Bears also spent considerable time interviewing him and the Bengals and Ravens, with risk-tolerable executives, could be in the running. The Dolphins and Chargers also run offenses that suit Gordon's talents well.

“You don’t win building your team with issue guys,” said one GM. “I think he is a lot more talented than Stephen Hill, but I would never take him in the second. How many supplemental guys ever amount to anything. By the time he figures it out — if he does — it’ll be the second team that benefits. Someone will probably be foolish and pop him in the third (round).”

TCU RB Ed Wesley has warranted some late-round grades from NFL evaluators and has enough vision and short-area quickness to compete for a job, but after clocking in the low 4.7’s at a mere 196 pounds, expects to go undrafted.

The intriguing physical talent of Carson Newman LB Larry Lumpkin is overshadowed by a glaring lack of discipline that does not project well to the pro game. Boise State CB Quaylon Ewing, who sources say was slated to get beat out for his job, was clocked with pedestrian times in the low 4.6s. Iowa State OT Adrian Haughton is a career underachiever who could struggle to handle NFL complexities. McMurray WR Houston Tuminello is a possession receiver who clocked times that translate to the 4.7's on a normal surface. Concussion issues could severely limit the chances of Syracuse RB Adam Harris. Multiple off-field arrests are expected to leave Georgia DE Montez Robinson without an opportunity.

 

[Faust]

Rob Rang ‏@RobRang Ok, final prediction time for the supplemental draft. Mine: #Dolphins take Gordon in 4th, #Seahawks take Lumpkin in 7th. Your predictions?Matthew Elder ‏@Matthewcelder @RobRang Redskins take Gordon in Round 5. Nobody else gets drafted.

 

[Faust]

Jason La Canfora ‏@JasonLaCanfora Supplemental draft starting. Exact order of team selection not revealed to the clubs until just before the process begins

 

[Faust]

@AdamSchefter First round over - no picks.‏@ChrisBurke_SI Round 2 of supplemental draft underway. Let the Josh Gordon Watch officially start.