2012 NFL Supplemental Draft: Should the Atlanta Falcons Go After Josh Gordon?

The Atlanta Falcons are set to enter the 2012 season with one of the better groups of wide receivers in Roddy White, Julio Jones and Harry Douglas.

White is an established seven-year veteran who has quickly developed into one of the league’s most consistent and productive receivers.

Jones burst onto the scene in his rookie season in 2011, recording over 900 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing three games.

Fourth-year receiver Douglas has proven to be a solid option in the slot since recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2009.

But who’s next on the depth chart?

Currently, the other receivers listed on the roster are Kerry Meier, Kevin Cone, James Rodgers, Michael Calvin, Drew Davis, Marcus Jackson and Kenny Stafford. Among those seven, four are 2012 undrafted free agents, two were on the team’s practice squad last year and none have recorded a single reception in an NFL game.

With such a list, the addition of former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon via this year’s supplemental draft should be on the minds of the Falcons' brass.

Listed at 6’4” and 225 pounds, Gordon ran a 4.52 40-yard dash at his Pro Day despite pulling his quadriceps during the workouts.

He was poised to become a star receiver at Baylor following a promising 2010 sophomore season in which he recorded 42 catches for 714 yards and seven touchdowns.

But Gordon was suspended from the team after being arrested for possessing marijuana and in 2011 transferred to Utah where he didn’t play a single down. 

He looks to have the talent of a top pick, and his off-field troubles are likely the only thing that kept him from being just that in this year’s draft. 

If that is indeed the case, while he would be the ninth player vying for two spots on Atlanta’s roster, it would also make him arguably the best of that bunch.

And as the team prepares to incorporate a four-verticals passing attack under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter this season, those last two spots just became a lot more important than what they were in years past.

Scouts say Gordon might be had for as high as a second-round pick but could be available for as low as a third or fourth.

If he were to fall that low come Thursday, the Falcons should heavily consider pulling the trigger.