WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns
2017 Stats: 18 rec., 335 yds, 1 TD
After two full seasons out of the picture, amid off-field issues and punishment from the NFL, Josh Gordon resurfaced late last season. Volume was not a problem, with 11 targets in his first game back and 42 targets in five games, but trying to catch passes from DeShone Kizer led to a lackluster 42.9 percent catch rate. Projecting his per game average over a full 16 games, Gordon would have finished as WR25 in ESPN leagues last year.
All signs pointed to Gordon entering the 2018 season without issue, but he left the Browns right before training camp and just returned over the weekend. He has proven he can essentially step on the field and produce, but Gordon is now behind in learning a new offensive scheme and getting on the same page with a new quarterback in Tyrod Taylor (or, eventually, Baker Mayfield).
When we last saw Gordon on the field for a full season, or most of one anyway, he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,646) on 87 receptions with nine touchdowns in 14 games. That was also 2013, and Gordon has only played 10 games since.
Gordon should be cleared to practice soon, and there’s a prominent role available for him. Any interest the Browns had in Dez Bryant is now on the back burner, and beyond Jarvis Landry the team has question marks at wide receiver. Gordon is big, fast and has shown he can be a red zone weapon (17 red zone targets in 2013).
Gordon has the widest range of possible outcomes in fantasy football this year. He has a solid chance to be available Week 1, and even if he’s not 15 games with a full compliment of snaps is on the radar (barring any further off the field issues, or an injury).
Even with the expected dip over the last month, fantasy owners have remained pretty optimistic about Gordon. Via Fantasy Football Calculator’s ADP data (12-team leagues), with an upward trend since Saturday’s news of his return, he’s WR19 (pick 4.12) in standard scoring and WR22 (pick 4.12) in full-point PPR. The WR2 range where he should be drafted, in the fourth or fifth round, but if the upward trend continues the risk will start to outweigh the reward.
Josh Gordon 2018 Projection: 65 receptions for 975 yards, 6 TD
Bye: Week 11
ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
The GoingFor2 Live Podcast
