2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josh Gordon

Strengths:
  • Excellent size
  • Solid hands
  • Physical
  • Dangerous with ball in his hands
  • Picks up yards after the catch
  • Is a red-zone weapon
  • Good third-down receiver
  • Leaping ability
  • Scheme versatility




  • Weaknesses:
  • Will his speed translate to the NFL?
  • Quickness?
  • Year-long suspension for drug issue
  • Runs too upright
  • Raw, unpolished


  • Summary: Gordon is an interesting athlete who looked like he was on the cusp of turning into a good pro prospect. He caught four passes for 65 yards as a freshman in 2009. Gordon served as a nice complementary receiver to Kendall Wright in 2010. Quarterback Robert Griffin III went primarily to Wright, but Gordon was a solid contributor as a sophomore. He totaled 42 receptions for 714 yards and seven touchdowns.

    Gordon logged two 100-yard receiving games in his collegiate career. The first came against Kansas with 161 yards and two scores on four catches. He took a screen pass 94-yards for a touchdown against the Jayhawks. His second 100-yard outing came against Kansas State with seven receptions for 141 yards and two scores.

    Colorado featured cornerback Jimmy Smith that season, a future first-round pick, and Gordon didn’t record a catch in that game. Against good competition Gordon was held in check: Texas (2-23), Oklahoma State (3-29), Texas A&M (3-35) and Oklahoma (2-13) all kept him out of the end zone.

    Baylor suspended Gordon heading into his junior season for what he said was a marijuana problem. Gordon transfered to Utah, but never played for the Utes as he sat out the 2011 season per NCAA transfer rules. Rather than play for Utah and improve his stock before going pro, Gordon decided to enter the NFL’s 2012 supplemental draft.

    Gordon ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.5s at his pro day workout, a time slower than expected. He could fit a variety of offenses in the NFL. Gordon would definitely be a nice fit in a West Coast offense as a Z (flanker) receiver. He has the size to work the middle of the field. Gordon also is a potential red-zone weapon.



    Player Comparison: Josh Morgan. When Gordon is playing well, his playing style reminds me of Morgan. They both have some size and play-making ability. Morgan was really starting to be dangerous for San Francisco before he went down with an injury. Washington is excited to have him now. Morgan was a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. There is a decent chance that Gordon could be selected with a third-day pick.

    NFL Matches: Philadelphia, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Miami, Indianapolis

    There are plenty of wide receiver-needy teams that could use Gordon. The Eagles are showing interest in him, and he could be a developmental backup for a couple of years. The Browns really needs help at wide receiver, and Gordon would be a nice scheme fit in their West Coast offense.

    The Jaguars have a weak wide receiving corps, and Gordon could serve as actual competition for playing time with Jacksonville. The Dolphins’ lack of talent at wide receiver is well known. They have a big need at the position, and Gordon would fit their offense. The Colts need to buildup a receiving corps for Andrew Luck, so he could be a quality developmental piece for Indianapolis.

    Typically, supplemental draft prospects go lower than the hype they receive prior to draft day. That group includes Terrelle Pryor, Harvey Unga, Jared Gaither and Jeremy Jarmon from recent years. It wouldn’t be surprising if Gordon goes for a third-day draft pick. A second-day draft pick would be questionable considering his lack of production and off-the-field problems.



    RELATED LINKS:


    2013 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2013 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2013 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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