NFL REINSTATES JOSH GORDON, COULD RETURN WEEK 5
The NFL has reinstated oft-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon. Gordon will serve a 4 game suspension before being able to return to game action. In the meantime, Gordon is able to participate in training camp, preseason games, and will be allowed to remain with the team during his suspension. How do we as fantasy owners handle his return? Throughout the day, I’ve heard from people who said they will draft him as soon as they feel they have to, to people who said they won’t draft him at all, and everything in between. Where do I stand on his draft-ability? I’ll make the argument for both cases and provide a final verdict at the end. Of course, there is a good chance that he fails another drug test before I even finish this post.
Why do I want him on my team?
He’s an athletic freak. Standing at 6’3″, 225 with great speed, Gordon is one of the most talented players on the field. When he’s on the field. At 25 years old, Gordon is in the prime of his career as far as age goes. He was able to put up amazing numbers in 2013 ( 87│1646│9 ), under quarterbacks Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden,( in 14 games) so we know he can play with sup-par players throwing him the ball. By drafting Gordon, you’ll be getting a player that comes with the upside of a WR1 that you won’t have to draft as such.
Why I don’t want him on my team?
He’s 3 years removed from that aforementioned 2013 season. The only season in which he was a fantasy stud. Granted, he was relevant, a WR2 in his rookie 2012 season, averaging 10 FPPG. However the last time we have seen him on the field was in 2014. A season in which he played only 5 games and didn’t manage to find the end zone once. Gordon only cracked WR1 numbers one time in the 5 games he played in 2014. Three years is a long time and as of now we have no idea what type of football shape he’s in. He hasn’t taken a hit in over year…well, he has. Just not football related hit. Robert Griffin III is presumably the guy that will be getting him the ball. Yes, I’m aware that I mentioned that Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden were his quarterbacks in 2013. In fact, Griffin is more talented than those guys, but he’s still a negative as to why I wouldn’t want to draft Gordon. It’s almost been the same amount of time that Griffin last seen the field as Gordon. Lastly, the risk. I believe in utilizing every roster spot of my team. All the time. Having a player sitting on my bench and not being able to play for 4 games, is taking up a spot of someone that might be able to help me right away. That waiver wire pickup. The Dion Lewis’s, Charcandrick West’s, Allen Hurns’s etc. In deeper leagues with many bench spots this isn’t a concern of course. In addition, there is that chance, a pretty good one too, that he won’t make it through the season without getting slapped with another season-long ban. He hasn’t shown us he could stay clean for an extended period of time as of yet.
The Verdict:
By looking at the two sides, the “Why I don’t want him on my team” section is larger than “Why I do want him on my team“, so that must mean I’m not drafting him. Wrong. I actually do want him on my team. Only If the price is right. I’m not going to reach for him because I don’t want someone else to have him. The risk of taking Gordon could pay heavy dividends to your success. However, he can’t be someone that your’re relying on. I’m making sure that I’m comfortable with my core team. My running backs and wide receivers are set. He needs to be a luxury to me. I’m not going to be kept saying ” well in week 5 I have Gordon coming back, so I’m good”. If I draft him, I KNOW that there is a very good chance he never enters my lineup. I KNOW that I can’t expect 2013 production if he does. And I KNOW that if he gets suspended again I can’t say ” I got burned by Josh Gordon”. I’m drafting him with the expectation that he doesn’t play as a WR1, or even at all. So where should he be drafted? Like I said, your core should be intact first. Depending on your league’s roster settings, I think rounds 7-8 is a decent spot for him. However, keep in mind the risk. Taking Gordon means you might not get the Sterling Shepard’s, Laquon Treadwell’s, Josh Doctson’s and other players that could have the same upside and production as Gordon. It has been a while. It was ONE great season. Proceed, but proceed with caution.