Tomorrow is the NFL’s supplemental draft. Players who missed the deadline to declare for April’s draft, but have since decided they want to go to the NFL, almost always for off the field reasons, are eligible to be selected. Teams essentially bid on the players and lose a corresponding pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Tiebreakers are decided by April’s draft order. The most prominent example is Terrelle Pryor, who did not declare for the 2011 NFL Draft, but went in the 3rd round to the Oakland Raiders in the supplemental draft after the events that followed with the Ohio State scandal and Jim Tressel’s termination.
One of the biggest names in this year’s draft class is former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon. While no supplemental draft pick has had a significant impact in the NFL since the Ravens used a 5th round selection on Jared Gaither in 2007, expectations are high for Gordon with some even speculating that a team could use a 2nd round pick on him.
Gordon hasn’t played in 2 years, missing the 2010 season with a drug related suspension and missing the 2011 season while transferring to Utah, where he never suited up. However, in 2009, he caught 42 passes for 714 yards and 7 touchdowns and the athletic receiver was once viewed as a superior player to former teammate Kendall Wright, who went 20th overall to the Tennessee Titans in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The 6-3 224 pounder ran a 4.52 at his Pro Day earlier this week, passed a drug test, scored well on the Wonderlic, and wowed in his workout in front of representatives from 21 NFL teams. Among the favorites to select him include the Dallas Cowboys, the Cleveland Browns, the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills, and the Indianapolis Colts. I expect him to go in the 3rd or 4th round.
Robert Griffin, the 2nd overall pick in this past 2012 NFL Draft, is a former teammate of Gordon’s at Baylor and he is reportedly pushing the Redskins to draft Gordon, this according to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora. While Griffin may have some say in Washington already, it’s doubtful they fulfill his request simply because of the depth they already have at receiver. After signing Josh Morgan and Pierre Garcon this offseason, the Redskins had to cut their leading returning receiver, Jabar Gaffney and now still have their top-4 receivers, Garcon, Morgan, Santana Moss, and Leonard Hankerson, in some order, established. A more receiver needy need like Cleveland or Miami is a more likely destination for Gordon.
Gordon is the biggest name available in tomorrow’s supplemental draft, but he might not be the only one who gets drafted. TCU Running Back Ed Wesley and Carson-Newman linebacker Larry Lumpkin could also be drafted in the late rounds and if not, they figure to catch on somewhere as undrafted free agents. The other players who have declared include Boise State defensive back Quaylon Ewing, Syracuse fullback Adam Harris, Iowa State offensive lineman Adrian Haughton, Georgia defensive end Montez Robinson, and McMurray wide receiver Houston Tuminello.
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
Football Fan Spot 