NFL Supplemental Draft 2012 Results: Browns Wise to Roll Dice on Josh Gordon

Brandon Weeden needed someone to throw to.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the results of the Josh Gordon sweepstakes in the 2012 NFL supplemental draft on Thursday. He tweeted:

"

And in today's supplemental draft, former Baylor WR Josh Gordon goes to...Cleveland in round 2

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

The Cleveland Browns really blew it in April’s draft so they had to make up for it on Thursday. Despite wide receiver being their greatest need, they failed to draft one until the 100th overall pick. There, they reached for a project in Travis Benjamin.

Greg Little showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, but his promise was overshadowed by 11 drops—the second most in the league. Mohamed Massaquoi continued to regress in his third season as a pro, making it crystal clear that he’ll never develop into a capable starting receiver.

Unless the Browns wanted to ruin Weeden like they did Colt McCoy, they had to improve his arsenal of weapons.

They did just that by selecting Gordon.

According to ESPN, Gordon admitted that his suspension at Baylor was the result of a failed marijuana test. But at 6’3”, 225 pounds with a 4.52 40-yard dash, he’s well worth the risk for a franchise that’s desperate for an upgrade at wideout.

As a sophomore with the Bears, Gordon reeled in 42 receptions for 714 yards and seven touchdowns. His route-running is raw, but he possesses the physical ability and ball skills to develop into a No. 1 target in the NFL. And having just turned 21 years old, he has plenty of time to do so.

Last year, Terrelle Pryor generated unparalleled hype going into the supplemental draft only to be taken by the Oakland Raiders and to do absolutely nothing as a rookie. With a crater-like hole at receiver, though, Cleveland needs Gordon to make an instant impact. Whether or not he’ll succeed in doing so is up in the air, but the Browns were so desperate that they had no other choice but to roll the dice.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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