Fantasy Fallout: Josh Gordon is a high-risk lottery ticket in his return
Here are the fantasy repercussions following Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon being reinstated to the NFL for the 2016 season:
#Browns WR Josh Gordon is being reinstated, source said. He’s suspended for the first 4 games.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2016
Gordon hasn't played in the NFL since 2014, and even then he only suited up for five games, compiling 24 receptions for 303 yards and zero touchdowns. He's been a wait-and-see speculation since a pair of suspensions cost him most of 2014 and all of 2015.
In his last complete season, however, he was possibly the best option at a deep position. In 2013, in only 14 games, he led the NFL with 1,646 yards. The next closest was Steelers WR Antonio Brown with 1,499. Had it not been for the suspension, he would have been a first-round pick in 2014. Unfortunately, this never materialized.
Missing the first four games of the season will limit his value a bit, but Gordon is an intriguing option in fantasy. He certainly adds more depth to the Browns receiving corps. Anyone worried about Cleveland's QB situation in relation to Gordon's value may want to look at who was throwing him the ball when he led the league in receiving - namely, Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden.
He is a high-risk selection who comes with one of the highest ceilings imaginable. With the Browns' new head coach Hue Jackson, an offensive-minded administrator with experience as an offensive coordinator and coach of various offensive positions like WR and QB, this could be the perfect fit for Gordon, making him a potential late-round steal.
It also muddies the water among Browns receivers, and clouds their prospective fantasy value. Prior to the announcement, rookie WR Corey Coleman was poised to be the top receiver and TE Gary Barnidge in the mix for targets with a whole lot of question marks elsewhere.
None of the other options, whether it was Andrew Hawkins or Taylor Gabriel or another one of their new faces, had any prospective fantasy value. Now, they have even less. Coleman may even see his value diminish if he stumbles out of the gate. By the time Gordon returns, the WR1 spot could be his for the taking. Consider drafting him late as a risky flier with insane upside.
Gordon returning will only be good news for QB Robert Griffin III, or Josh McCown if the Browns go in that direction, as more talented targets should conceivably improve overall results. It doesn't make either Browns QB a must-draft option, but whoever wins the job out of camp could become a bye-week or injury replacement down the road.
Gordon is slated to make his regular season debut on Oct. 9 against the New England Patriots. He will be allowed to play in preseason games, too, so there's a chance rust doesn't play as big a factor in his production.