Week 4 vs. Miami Dolphins
Patriots receivers have struggled to produce for fantasy purposes, to put it mildly. The Dolphins only rank 22nd in aFPA to WRs, but it's wise to wait until we see how the Patriots use Gordon first before considering him in starting lineups.
Week 2 at New Orleans Saints
Before the week started, the Browns said Josh Gordon would not start and be on a (roughly) 20 limit snap count. Well, Gordon started and played 69 snaps. But despite playing a lot, he finished with just one catch (three targets), which happened to go for a score.
Coaches say Gordon will start in Week 2 vs. the Saints, which could be a good matchup. The Saints were torched a week ago by Bucs wideouts, so there's certainly an opportunity for Gordon to have success. We like Flash as a solid WR3 choice vs. New Orleans.
Week 1 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Josh Gordon returns.
After a few frustrating years, it appears Josh Gordon is ready to stay in the league in 2018. He's not listed as a starter for Week 1, but he'll be playing. In case you forgot, Gordon was nearly unstoppable in 2013 when he led the league in receiving (1,646 yards) in just 14 games. We don't know if he's still at that level, but we certainly know the talent is there.
Gordon carries some risk just because it's been so long since we've seen him be dominant on the field. He played some games last year, but the stats were mediocre. He has a very high ceiling, but for now, he should be viewed as a WR3 or WR4.
Fantasy Upside
If you’ve followed the NFL at all recently then you’re certainly aware of Josh Gordon’s upside. He showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie before exploding in his second season with 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. He’s a big-bodied athletic wideout with great speed. When he’s on the field he’s very hard to stop. Everything we’ve heard from Gordon makes it sound like he’s turned the page in his life and is ready to stay clean, which means we could see another season like 2013.
Fantasy Downside
To borrow a line from HBO’s Hard Knocks, “‘Josh Gordon is one of the best wide receivers in the game when he’s on the field. Problem is, he’s never on the field.” Gordon has been suspended countless times which has led to him playing in 10 of a possible 64 games since his breakout season. And he started the 2018 training camp by saying he’s taking a break to get right, which means he hasn’t been practicing with his teammates at camp. As of now, there is no clear timetable for his return, so we really don’t know what his status will be by the time the season starts.
2018 Bottom Line
If you’re drafting Gordon, then you know what you’re getting into. He’s an extremely talented player who is set up to be in his best position since his 2013 season. He’s clean, he has good quarterbacks, he’s in a good system under Todd Haley and he has talent around him in the WR corps to take some of the heat off. He certainly carries risk but has a high ceiling if you’re willing to take a chance on him.
Week 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Josh Gordon received a team-high 8 targets last week, but he couldn't do much with them as he finished with 19 yards on 2 catches. The Browns have been trying to get Gordon the ball, but DeShone Kizer's struggles have made it difficult.
Gordon gets a difficult matchup this week against the Steelers as Pittsburgh has allowed 10 or fewer receptions to collective wideouts in three straight games. But honestly, Gordon's biggest threat is his own team. He'd be a WR1 almost anywhere else, but since he's in Cleveland, he should be viewed as a WR3 this week.
Week 16 at Chicago Bears
Josh Gordon has led the Browns in receiving yards every game since his return. In fact, he's only 121 yards away from leading the Browns receivers in receiving yards. He's more than proved he's able to play after returning to football. His only real limitation is the team's QB play.
He gets a somewhat difficult matchup this week against Chicago, but it shouldn't be too bad. As we mentioned before, Gordon has played well but hasn't connected on some of his targets due to poor throws. He should be viewed as a WR3 this week.
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Josh Gordon started off hot last week, but didn't do much for the rest of the game. He finished with 3 receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown, giving him two strong starts since returning to the team.
He gets what would have been a tough matchup against the Ravens this week, but Baltimore struggled mightily last week without Jimmy Smith. Gordon's biggest thing going against him right now is the fact he doesn't have a good QB throwing him the ball. Despite everything going against him, he's still a strong WR2 choice this week.
Week 14 vs. Green Bay Packers
Josh Gordon looked good last week against the Chargers, even if the final stats (4-85) don't completely show it. He got by the defense on several occasions, but couldn't capitalize due to DeShone Kizer's poor passing abilities. The good news is Gordon saw 11 targets, which means the Browns clearly have no hesitation in using him.
Gordon gets a much better matchup this week against the Packers, so perhaps Kizer can connect on a few more passes. Green Bay has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers, which is great news for a player with Gordon's talents. Owners should view Gordon has a solid WR2 this week.
Week 13 at Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Gordon will make his return this week, leaving all fantasy football analysts watering at their mouths. When he's played, Gordon has been one of the most electrifying players on the field. He hasn't played in the regular season since 2014, but he did play in the preseason last year and looked pretty good. Coaches have been hyping him up all week, and it doesn't appear as if Gordon will be on any snap count in his first game back.
He doesn't get a great matchup this week against the Chargers, which makes starting him a little more difficult. It's also his first game in a long time. He clearly carries a lot of risk with him, but he also has some tremendous upside.
He should be viewed as a WR4 because there are so many questions surrounding him.
Fantasy Upside
Josh Gordon will return after taking all of 2015 off, and most of 2014 off. Since it's been so long, you may not remember Gordon's breakout 2013 season where he led the league in receiving (1,646) despite playing in 14 games. He will look to spark that same explosiveness to a Browns offense that was pretty stale a season ago.
Making his return to the NFL smoother is the reunion with his college quarterback, Robert Griffin III. Also taking some of the pressure off Gordon will be first-round rookie receiver Corey Coleman and surprise breakout tight end Gary Barnidge.
Fantasy Downside
The obvious downside is the four-game suspension to start the season. Gordon has struggled to stay clean over several seasons, leading to multiple suspensions and missed time. And even when he returned to the field in 2014, he really wasn't that good outside of his first game.
There's a big risk in taking Gordon because you're betting on him maintaining his level of excellence from three years ago, which isn't necessarily promised. There's also the chance he fails another drug test and is done for the season again.
Bottom Line
If Gordon becomes the 2013 version of himself again, he's going to be worth his selection. But if he's his 2014 self, then he'll just be another average decent player. The Browns have improved since 2014, and there's some talent surrounding Gordon finally, but we still have to see it play out before we can say he's a safe pick.
