Josh Gordon, Wide Receiver Cleveland Browns â€" photo by Erik Drost
Less than 24-hours after the Browns drafted quarterback Johnny Manziel, All-Pro wide receiver Josh Gordon, failed an alleged third drug test and faces a year-long suspension as reported by NFL Network.
Josh Gordon posted a league high in receiving yards (1,646) in just 14 games last season. The 23-year-old wide receiver was suspended the first two games of the 2013-2014 season for violating the leagues substance abuse policy, which was the second strike levied to Gordon by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Gordon who had been campaigning publicly this offseason for the Brown’s to select the Texas A&M quarterback, may now be lost for the entire season after facing his third strike.
Josh Gordon has had a string of failed drug tests dating back to his college playing days at Baylor, which eventually led to the wide receiver being dismissed by Baylor. Gordon was in stage two of the league’s substance abuse policy after having two positive tests, the second being for codeine. His most recent suspension is linked to a positive for marijuana which is being speculated to earn the star wide receiver a year-long ban.
If Gordon’s suspension is indeed season long, Manziel and the Cleveland Browns will be faced with moving forward with only one legitimate threat in their passing attack in Pro bowl Tight End Jordan Cameron. The Browns also added former Texans running back Ben Tate via free agency which will aid the rookie quarter back who will compete with incumbent Brian Hoyer; however the loss of Gordon is a blow to the offense.
Three rounds into the draft the Browns are still yet to draft a wide receiver to address the potential void created by the looming departure of their third year All-Pro wide receiver. As Josh Gordon faces suspension by the league, Cleveland still has another four rounds and an entire offseason to add talent at wide receiver to their roster.
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