Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon Supplemental Draft scouting report
6’3, 224 pounds | Wide receiver | Baylor/Utah
Body control: With his size, you’d expect Gordon to fight for the ball much better at the high point. Instead, he seems content to wait for the ball to come to him. While this may have been suitable against Big 12 secondaries, NFL cornerbacks will make an aggressive play on the ball. What he does well is use his frame to get open. Gordon can subtly bump a cornerback with his shoulder to create separation and catch the ball coming over the top. After the catch, Gordon has good strength to break tackles when he wants too, but he doesn’t have the sheer quickness to elude them.
Should be solid as a blocker on run players on the edge.
Hands: Gordon’s hands are solid but in no way spectacular. He locates the ball well, especially on over-the-shoulder throws. He also does well to pull the ball in away from his frame.
Release: Although Gordon is a big, strong wide receiver, he’s not the fastest off the line of scrimmage. His footwork is spotty and he needs space to get going. Will get held up at the line.
Route running: One has to wonder how much Gordon's route running acumen, or lack thereof, has to do with the Baylor scheme. Although Robert Griffin has said otherwise about the system, Baylor's wide receivers frequently got open on slants, verticals and less frequently dig routes. Gordon also ran some screens and curls. But watching Gordon's route running, it's not refined. He doesn't use fakes to get open and he looks a little stiff in his movement. A wide receiver coach will have to work extensively to improve Gordon's footwork.
With his size, Gordon is naturally a long strider with the ability to eat up cushions on corners playing off coverage. Seems like the kind of route runner who runs to his spot and not to get open. This was especially evident against zone.
Size: This is obviously one of Gordon’s biggest strengths. Simply being bigger than defensive backs helps him get open, especially over the top.
Speed: Gordon’s straight-line speed is a impressive once he gets going. While there isn’t a lot of immediacy to his speed, he builds up over a few yards and can break away from defenders. Gordon isn’t an explosive runner through traffic. Ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Final word: Comparisons for Gordon have gone from one extreme to another. To me, he has the potential to be a player like Malcolm Floyd of the San Diego Chargers. There is no area in which Gordon is elite. He projects as a solid wide receiver, though he will be coming in behind the curve.
His off-field issues also have to be in consideration. He played sparingly as a freshman before shining as a sophomore. He was suspended at Baylor for a failed marijuana test. Left Baylor to go to Utah and sat out a year. Participated in fall practice with Utah last year, but was off the team before spring practice. Reportedly entered the Supplemental Draft due to financial reasons. Told the Houston Chronicle that his marijuana use “is behind him.” Reportedly admitted to smoking in May but passed a drug test on July 7.
To expect a lot from Gordon as a rookie would be absurd. If he can put his off-field concerns behind him, though, Gordon should develop into a solid outside receiver. Most expect a team to chance a third-round pick on Gordon. It will be a lot to give up on a player who hasn’t played since 2010.
Games watched: (All 2010) Kansas, Kansas State, Illinois
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