Cleveland Browns select Josh Gordon in Second Round of Supplemental Draft

The Browns liked talented Baylor WR Josh Gordon so much that they decided to use a future second round pick on him to take him in the supplemental draft, despite his baggage. The Browns have had one of the league’s worst passing offenses in and are looking for big playmakers at wide receiver. It’s an interesting move, and a move that has continued to signal that the Browns under Mike Holmgren (Tom Heckert as well) and head coach Pat Shurmur are willing to bring “troubled” young players into their locker room. They drafted Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, and Greg Little last year–all three players had off field questions. They also have now added Josh Gordon who was basically asked to leave two different College Football programs.

What is little discussed is that the Browns have spent three high draft picks on WR in recent drafts without seeing the big time results (coincidentally all second round picks-Greg Little, Massaquoi, and Robiskie). Only Little has shown true promise. Gordon makes the fourth WR drafted in the second round.

Gordon has big time ability with a plus size/speed combination and toughness. Gordon though is not a terrific football player yet, and a second round pick seems rich for a guy who might not be an ideal fit for a West Coast offense. Now the counterpoint to this is clearly that the Browns probably did a lot of tape review of Gordon because of their interest in RGIII so they feel comfortable with their evaluation of him, but it still seems like two rounds or more earlier than he should have been selected.

When players go through the rigors of the NFL Draft interview process, often players with baggage drop a round or two, but in the supplemental draft Gordon did not seem to suffer the same fate. It’s an odd selection for me for the Browns and one I do not think was a great pick.

Thoughts Browns fans (Or others)?

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