Former Baylor Wide Receiver Josh Gordon Could Be Supplemental Draft Steal

Robert Griffin III's rising tide lifted the draft stock of Kendall Wright into the first round in April. Now, another one of his former receivers is looking to get drafted without the benefit of being part of Griffin's landmark 2011 campaign.

Former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon is entering the 2012 NFL Supplemental Draft, according to Adam Caplan of The Sideline View. Gordon was suspended indefinitely last July and left the Bears program for Utah a month later. Back in 2010, he was arrested after being in a car that contained marijuana, but the specific reasons for his suspension were never divulged by Baylor coach Art Briles.

Gordon could go as high as the second or third round in the supplemental draft, even though he didn't play in 2011 because of NCAA transfer rules. He is a big wide receiver at 6'4", 225 pounds, and he has elite speed, clocking in as low as the 4.3s in the the 40, according to Caplan.

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said Gordon runs effortlessly and is a very smooth athlete with great hands upon his transfer last August, according to Dirk Facer of the Deseret News.

Teams considering Gordon should have more "inside information" about the character issues that caused him to be suspended at Baylor. No matter how severe they are, someone will be tempted enough to spend a pick on Gordon because he has first-round physical skills. That "effortless" speed and superior size are both apparent on this 94-yard touchdown vs. Kansas from 2010:

As long as his pro team can get him to "buy in," Gordon can be one of the biggest steals of the 2012 NFL Draft season. The date of the supplemental draft is scheduled to take place on July 12. Expect Gordon to be the first name we hear when picks are announced.