Will Vikings be Supplemental Shopping?

It is rare that the NFL Supplemental Draft, which will take place tomorrow, generates much interest from teams and fans. This year, things are a little different thanks to the presence of former Baylor wide receiver Josh Gordon, who could command as high as a second-round pick from teams, if the rumor mill is to be believed. Gordon held a pro day of a sort yesterday, which 21 teams including the Vikings attended.

Since 1977, the NFL has held a Supplemental Draft to accommodate players who did not enter the regular draft. Players generally enter the Supplementary Draft because they missed the filing deadline for the NFL Draft or because issues developed which affected their eligibility (such as academic or disciplinary matters). The draft is almost like a silent auction, with teams submitting bids based on the pick they’re willing to sacrifice in the 2013 draft. The order within rounds is determined by how teams fared last season.

The NFL Supplemental Draft will feature seven athletes from an array of NCAA schools. Of those seven, sources say that Gordon is the best prospect available. Gordon stands 6'4" and weighs 225 pounds, and is compared to Brian Quick, a second-round pick by the Rams this year from Appalachian State. 

Prior to Gordon's Tuesday workout, many were speculating about the possibility of a 40 time in the sub-4.4 second range. Instead, Gordon ran it in 4.52 seconds according to Tony Pauline of SI.com. He also pulled his quad. Gordon later ran routes, a signal that his quad injury was less than serious. According to Adam Caplan, he did not drop a single pass.

Some see Gordon as a better player than former Baylor wide out, Kendall Wright. Wright was the 20th pick in this years draft, going to the Tennessee Titans. But Gordon comes with baggage. He was suspended indefinitely by Baylor prior to the 2011 season following a marijuana arrest, and transferred to Utah, where he sat out the season. Rather than play for the Utes this season, he declared for the supplemental draft for financial reasons.

In his last full season at Baylor, Gordon had 42 receptions for 714 yards and 7 touchdowns.

It is doubtful the Vikings would be interested in a wide receiver prospect with Gordon's background and lack of experience when they already have so many young and unproven players at the position. Newly drafted receiver Greg Childs has similiar physical attributes as Gordan and is actually quite a bit faster than him (if you consider Child's pro day forty-time). Stephen Burton, as well, has similiar physical attributes, but more experience.

With that said, though, keep in mind that the Vikings have an additional fourth-round pick in next year's regular draft (from Detroit) to work with if need be, and Vikings GM Rick Spielman has been all for providing Christain Ponder with as many weapons as need be.

The draft order is subject to a lottery tomorrow morning.