Cleveland Browns Use a Second-Round Pick on Josh Gordon in Supplemental Draft

The price paid for former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon exceeded almost all expectations: The Cleveland Browns used what should be an early-second round pick to add the big, fast, inexperienced wideout. 

The draw of the supplemental draft lottery might have forced the Browns' hand, as they came in second behind Buffalo, another team rumored to have interest in Gordon. It is possible that they were also afraid of Washington, Miami or Dallas spending a second-round pick on Gordon.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Browns had Gordon in for a visit last Thursday and Friday:

"

Josh Gordon visited Cleveland last Thursday and Friday. Cleveland liked what it saw. Looks like Browns only team to put in 2nd-round claim.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 12, 2012"

Schefter also noted that the Browns were the only team to submit a second-round pick for Gordon. That means that a third-round pick would have likely landed him. But the Browns had to submit a claim based on what they thought Gordon was worth and what other teams might do. Since they were clearly high on Gordon, they probably felt that they couldn't risk losing him just to preserve the round of one of their picks.

The Browns were also very familiar with the Baylor program after scouting 2011 first-round pick Phil Taylor, zeroing in on quarterback Robert Griffin III via trade and wide receiver Kendall Wright as a target at No. 22. We can conclude that the Baylor program didn't have any major character problems to report. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to feel comfortable spending a second on Gordon.

The addition of Gordon likely leaves only one roster spot for deep threats Carlton Mitchell and Mohamed Massaquoi to vie for in training camp and the preseason.