Indians All-Star Break Review: The Infielders
July 12, 2012Indians’ Nick Hagadone out 8-10 Weeks
July 12, 2012The Cleveland Browns didn’t leave anything to chance in bidding a second rounder to select former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon. It has been confirmed on NFL.com, so Cleveland will have another receiver added to Mike Holmgren’s infamous “pile” that he talks about.
Tom Heckert and company must have really liked Gordon, or they were paranoid about bidding on another receiver and losing out again. The Browns were reportedly second in line via the lottery behind the Buffalo Bills according to Jason LaCanfora on Twitter. That means that only the Bills could have jumped the Browns should they have been willing to also part with a second round pick.
Apparently, bidding a third round pick wasn’t worth the risk for the Browns.
If Josh Gordon becomes a starter, it’s terrific value. You get the guy early. If Gordon doesn’t become a starter eventually, it’s a double-whammy where the Browns won’t get any production this season and also won’t have a coveted second-round pick when the next NFL draft rolls around.
Here’s hoping the tall, fast receiver is all the Browns seemingly think he can be.
By the way, this puts popular receiver Carlton Mitchell on notice that it’s time to produce. He possesses many of the same physical characteristics of Gordon, but has yet to contribute to the team on Sundays. Mitchell was a 6th round choice, and now the Browns have added a guy with a second round pick. The pressure’s on the third-year player.
[Related: Supplemental Draftee Josh Gordon Runs 4.52 40-Yard Dash]
90 Comments
Excellent move. Weeden gets another weapon and the team gets a guy with a very high physical ceiling. I’ve been very critical of this regime, but I can’t fault them for this 1, even if it doesn’t end up working out.
Woah, I guess I never really thought the Browns would get him. I assume the front office did a ton of homework on this guy, so they must be one of the teams who thought he could be better than Kendall Wright.
Does every draft analyst have to update their draft grade for the Browns now? The only negative from each one was that the Browns didn’t do enough to bolster WR.
Great news
I think this puts way more pressure on MoMass than on Mitchell. Being a 6th round choice no one had super high hopes for him. MoMass is supposed to be a seasoned NFL receive at this point in his career, and he’s not producing.
Could be wrong, but I’m guessing Craig was talking from the standpoint of making the final roster. With Gordon a definite to make the final roster, the probably moves Carlton Mitchell to the practice squad (or maybe even off the team).
Excellent move, well done Browns FO. You took a risk, yes, but it wasn’t like you mortgaged the farm for this guy and I think he has the talent to be as good as Greg Little, at the very least. The kid is fast and we so desperately needed a deep threat. Now let’s get the damned football season started, this waiting is killing me.
color me skeptical. basically the same scouting report as Carlton Mitchell (40rec last year in school, almost identical combine numbers) except he had a year off school, some off-field red flags.
I am hopeful in that the Browns FO has hit on character concern players from Baylor in the past (Phil Taylor) and I am sure they did extensive HW on this guy. The one thing that no scouting report seems to mention are how good his hands are. If they are good, then this can be a good pick.
Very interesting to say the least.
I guess only time will tell, but if this kid would have been a Top 10 pick next year had he played, as some people are saying, then it could end up being a steal. From everything I’ve read, he has the talent to be a Top 10 player and seems to have turned the corner on some of those character issues. I am excited to see how this works out.
At worst, he can’t be much worse of a pick than Robiskie or Veikune!
you have to think screwing up and having to sit and watch baylor do what it did lights a fire under his ass. heres hoping getting drafted by the browns like this changes him for the better. everything i read there is no question of his talent only his desire.
Bravo. That move right there is the beginning of the end of the new Browns being a joke. In 2-3 years from right now, we will have a legitimate contender. Well done, Heckert and Holmgren (although I’m still not super psyched about Shurmer).
Another #3 WR for a 2nd round pick….. Outstanding.
Ori, I’m still trying to figure out how to spin your comment into a negative. You couldn’t really be praising H & H… could you? 😉
I don’t know, this management team has proved they don’t have a problem cutting 2nd round WR who haven’t lived up to expectations *cough* robo *cough* I’d image mitchell may still have “up” side to him, and be a much cheaper option as a # 4 or 5 WR. We’re going to have Gordon and Little at 1 and 2. Norwood, Benjamin, Cribbs fighting it out. I could see them cutting ties with MoMass just for lack of space and not wanting to just have him as a special teams player.
Well, there’s the 2nd round WR I was hoping for.
The price is pretty steep here. We have no 2nd rounder next year. Lots of pressure for Gordon to be good. If he is a dud, this will hurt. Let’s hope it pays dividends!
That’s exactly my thoughts. Browns had him in for a visit, physical and went to his workout. They got a good look. If they’re right, it’s a great investment to get that 2nd rounder early. If they’re wrong it hurts that much more.
Well, there’s your wide receiver. I can’t say how positive I am about this off-season. While we didn’t get exactly what I wanted (RG3, Garcon), we addressed our offensive needs. Now it’s time to see how well we did.
We’re going to have some serious size on the edges… Gordon at 6-3, 224 and Little at 6-2, 220.
well, noone can say that Heckert isn’t willing to take a risk I suppose. I’m nervous (and need to remind myself of Heckert’s track record w/ 2nd round picks).
I don’t know that Gordon is the defacto WR2 right away. Heck, they made Little earn his starting spot over Robo.
You know, I do agree with that. If they like Mitchell better for special teams, he would make the roster over MoMass.
I think the top10 thing is vastly overstated. Woods, Allen, and Hunter are the HUGE WR prospects for next year’s draft. They are each considered extremely good prospects (Woods being the best). It would be extremely hard for Gordon to have cracked into that group.
This is the best part of this Browns FO for me. Regardless of everything else, you know for a fact that Tom Heckert values his draft picks very highly. That translates into a bit of confidence when they make a confident move to get a guy. Yeah, we still have Hardesty out there, but we also have Little. Risks cut both ways, but you can’t score if you never take risks.
The WR competition in camp ought to be entertaining after Little and MoMass. Norwood, Cribbs, Gordon, Mitchell, Benjamin and even Cooper…
Yeah, I agree. They haven’t mortgaged the farm. It’s like in roulette. You might be better off making the safe Red/Black, Even/Odd bets outside to make a little bit of money. But if you really want to get ahead, sometimes you need to take a risk and make an inside bet and put some money on numbers.
I haven’t been able to find any good evaluations… tried looking on ESPN, but I must be dumb… can’t find it there. At any rate, we’ve got the speed on the roster with Benjamin and Little. I’m hoping that Gordon has the hands… we desperately need a big receiver who can use his body to shield off defenders and make the catch on 3rd down. If Gordon can do that, he’s worth a 2nd round pick in my mind.
Try this one (very positive and gives 2nd round grade):
Forced to leave the Utah program due to financial constraints. Attempted to transfer to Houston for the 2012 season but was told he would have to sit out the season due to NCAA regulations.
Positives: Tall, fluid pass catcher with tremendous upside potential. Plays with great balance as well as body control. Has large, soft hands and easily makes the reception in stride. Consistent hand catcher and extends to make the reception away from his frame.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/07/11/nfl-supplemental-draft-2012/index.html#ixzz20Qyp5hKA
I agree with you here. I’ve done some looking into on the potential top WR prospects, and its probably unrealistic to say Gordon is “top 10” material next year, but he definitely COULD be on par with the WR to go in the second round where we drafted him. It might not be a “steal” but it could play out to be just a good second round pick. Anyways I’m still pumped we actually went out and got a guy we wanted
This guy averaged a TD every 6 catches and is a legitimate red zone target. We now have a young core of WR’s to develop, a legit o-line with some depth, a stud RB, a stable of TE’s, and a QB (albeit not young) with an NFL arm to groom. We’re light years ahead of the stone age offense from a few years ago.
This is pretty exciting icing on the off-season cake. A new rookie starter (supposed) @ QB, a new rookie RB, a renewed o-line with Swartz, a 2nd year WR with incredible potential in Little, a good group of 3rd to 5th string WR’s (with starter experience) and now an above average rookie WR. We just wanted to feel good about our off-season, and the guys in charge have really made strides in making that happen… Who knows, this guy could end up being a 1st round talent, and we may end up with a 2nd rounder in 13 anyway.
GO BROWNS
I’d agree with this if I didn’t have some severe reservations about the Shurminator Chilly offensive play calls. with this combo of players I’d feel better having Chud back haha
Great move by Heckert. Browns get a WR that could potentially make a big difference and now having that “2nd-round” WR further legitimizes our draft, and the Mitchell Schwartz pick at 37. Not saying Gordon will be a HOFer, but if you’re still mad at Heckert after this, I don’t know what to tell you. With everything else that he’s done, this move really made Heckert’s offseason, in my opinion.
Carlton Mitchell already had tons of pressure on him going into the season; I think getting Gordon is a clear warning to Massaquoi that it’s time to step up or get lost in the shuffle. Another reason I love this move.
Mel Kiper said today that there’s a really good chance Gordon would’ve been ranked higher than AJ Jenkins and Stephen Hill in this past draft. That was all I needed to hear.
Couldn’t be happier right now. Go Browns.
I won’t disagree with you–I’m just repeating what other people have written. I won’t claim to be a draft expert, but if this guy has first round talent at all, then he’ll be worth a second round pick. Like I said, only time will tell. At the very least, it’s exciting.
Just wait til you see this kid. He would’ve been a 1st round pick if he was in next years draft. This is a bargain, imo. I think he’s much like Greg Little with better hands…..
I hope you’re right.. I just think we’re gonna have another top 5 pick last year so that would have been a pretty valuable 2nd rounder. But if what you say is true & he woulda been in the top 32, we got a good deal.
So, with the Browns spending a 2nd rounder (2013) today in supplemental draft for ex-Baylor WR Gordon that means here is the experience the Browns will have on the field at times this year:
LT: Joe Thomas – 6th year vet
LG: Jason Pinkston – 2nd year
C: Alex Mack – 4th year
RG: Shaun Lauvao – 3rd year
RT: Mitchell Schwartz – Rookie
QB: Brandon Weeden – Rookie
RB: Trent Richardson – Rookie
+ 4 of the following 5 guys:
FB: Owen Marecic – 2nd year
TE: Jordan Cameron – 2nd year (though he’ll likely be TE3 behind Watson & Moore)
WR1: Greg Little – 2nd year
WR2: Josh Gordon – rookie (will have to beat-out MoMass and Mitchell)
WR-slot: Travis Benjamin – rookie (will have to beat out rookie-Cooper and Norwood)
————————————-
considering how bad we have been, the youth at least gives us hope and excitement. but, I’m expecting a ton of growing pains too.
Agreed. If they believe in him, they need to go get him. Physically, he sure seems impressive enough for a 2nd rounder.
And actually, now that I think about it, since the 2nd rounder we gave up is NEXT year’s, Gordon does not need to perform at a 2nd rounder level until 2013 to justify the move. He essentially has a free year to learn the ropes.
Garcon was overpriced.
Yes he had similar number in his 2nd year of college football as Mitchell’s 4th year of college football. That makes this a bust for sure.
if he would have been a 2nd round pick in 2013, then we did get a steal by getting him a full year early. let’s hope that is the case.
Very true, you do need to take a risk to get a reward. I think this was a very solid and well thought out risk.
” If Gordon doesn’t become a starter eventually, it’s a double-whammy
where the Browns won’t get any production this season and also won’t
have a coveted second-round pick when the next NFL draft rolls around.”
Are you talking about this year? If so I strongly disagree. Fact is, he probably wont start at all this year and that still does not mean this is a bad move. We essentially get a player 1 year early into our system for our draft pick in 2013. By 2013 I expect him be make a larger contribution, but this year I think its unreasonable to expect starter-like production. Could be utilized very well in the RZ though.
I’ve consistently praised them for the things they’ve done right (re-signing Joe Thomas, getting TRich). I will always show praise when its due, the same way with criticism.
mitchell only played 3 years of college football (Gordon spent the same amount of time in college – not playing JR year)
agree with others that making a big jump requires calculated risks,and I will forgive them if this doesn’t work. Before this it seemed like an upgrade at WR depended a lot on whether Benjamin would be strong/clever enough to release from the line of scrimmage and get in his pattern. Chances are now better that Browns will have at least one new effective receiver. If they’re lucky, two.
They may manage to divide an aggressive defense’s attention, finally. This can help Greg Little, the tight ends, Trent Richardson, and the QB. It can discourage the safeties and LBs from cheating up at the line every play. Like this move a lot. This off-season has brought four potential difference-makers on offense: Richardson, Weedon, Schwartz and now Gordon. That’s way more than I thought they could do.
just to back that up to some degree, you were among the most positive posters after day1 of the NFL draft this year.
I hate to be this guy, but since no one has ever seen this guy play b/c of all the of the field stuff, can he catch?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the measurables, but I also like people with hands made of something other than stone.
From all indications that I have come across, yes, he can catch and he has big hands/long arms.
Also, I think this is a good move. We were in the market for an early WR in next year’s draft anyway. Now that receiver will have a year of development under his belt.
Didn’t think the Browns would do this. My mock supplemental draft had the Bills grabbing Gordon with a third.