Full Scouting Report for NFL Supplemental Draft Prospect Josh Gordon

Maybe it's just because nothing else is happening on the NFL calendar, but former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon has had more ink spilled about him than any similar prospect in the 2012 NFL draft. Let's take a closer look at the player who is at the center of the football media world right now.

Athleticism/Playing Style

Gordon has legitimate breakaway speed at 6'3", 225 pounds—hence all the hub-bub about him as of late. He accelerates to top speed quickly for a long strider. Gordon is also a fluid athlete for a large wide receiver, but he's not particularly quick.

Gordon is not soft in general, and especially tough after the catch. He hasn't been asked to make many catches in traffic over the middle, but his approach to contact after the catch indicates that he won't shrink when he hears footsteps.

Gordon will mix it up during routes and bump a smaller defensive back to get open, which is a great sign of his ability to hang in the NFL. He also has a zest for blocking and can move a defender, maintaining his block for a long duration.

Route-Running

This is by far the weakest part of Gordon's game. He lacks a great first step or quick launch off the line of scrimmage. He needs to get lower in his breaks. Previously, he was asked to do a lot of screens and go routes, so it's hard to see a whole route tree on film at Baylor.

It would be more accurate to call his route-running ability an unknown, but he certainly doesn't have the approach of a technician. Gordon doesn't "set up" a defensive back over the course of a game, and he will rely on tools more than routes to get open in the pros.

Hands/Ball Skills

This is the "bonus" to Gordon's scouting report. He has soft hands and plucks the ball out of the air naturally, giving him a huge catch radius with his long frame. Gordon's deep-ball tracking over the shoulder is effortless, which helps maximize the value of his downfield speed. Gordon is not a high-wire-act/jumpball wide receiver because he is not a natural when it comes to high-pointing the ball.

After the Catch

Gordon is not very elusive or quick, but he has the balance and strength to be a threat to break tackles and turn a short gain into a long one with his speed. He transitions into running after the catch instantly. Gordon's speed after the catch is overwhelming, making would-be tacklers take bad angles. He does need to work on ball security after the catch, however, as he fumbled way too often for a receiver with limited receptions.

Intangibles

Gordon left Baylor after a suspension for marijuana use and positive drug test. He didn't stay at Utah after spending a year off post-transfer per NCAA rules. Tony Pauline of SI.com reports that financial matters drove that decision. Gordon passed an unannounced drug test at a recent pro day and also scored high on the Wonderlic. He has a reputation as a smart player, and CBS' Jason La Canfora called him a "very impressive kid."