Josh Gordon was once the star of the Cleveland Browns offense. Then the star wide receiver recorded multiple violations of the league's substance abuse policy and has been suspended several times. Gordon was forced to sit out all of the 2015 season after his third violation and has officially reapplied to be reinstated back into the NFL for the 2016 season.
According to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com, Gordon has applied to return to the NFL. He will then interview with the league's medical director and will have to prove that his substance abuse issues are behind him and he can come back as a productive member of the NFL. There is no question that the Cleveland Browns would love to have Gordon the receiver back on the field, but Gordon the person might not be wanted considering his off-the-field issues. Gordon's absence has shown in Cleveland as the team has lacked a real No.1 receiver without him. He led the league in yards in 2013 despite playing in just 14 games. New head coach Hue Jackson simply told the media that he would evaluate the situation.
"What I'm anxious to do is evaluate him just like we're going to evaluate every player on our roster and see if they are the right fit for the Cleveland Browns," Jackson said, via ESPN.com. "That's what we have to do with every player, whether that's Josh Gordon to whoever the last guy is on the roster."
With their first pick in the NFL Draft, the Browns are expected to select a quarterback. According to Mel Kiper Jr of ESPN, with Jonny Manziel on his way out, the team must select a player like Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch or Carson Wentz to lead the team into the future. The run game is set with Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell, but what about the receiver group? Brian Hartline is set to return along with Gary Barnidge. Travis Benjamin is a free agent and admitted to the media that he would like to come back to the Browns next season, but contracts would play a role.
"If an offer comes on the table and I'm happy about it, (it would) be lovely to come back and be a Cleveland Brown forever," said Benjamin, via Cleveland.com. "But until then, it's in God's hands."
If available, Benjamin will have a lot of interest in him on the open market. Another team with a more established offense could sweep up and sign him leaving the Browns without a top receiver. They could try and sign Rishard Matthews or Jermaine Kearse while trying trade deals for guys like DeSean Jackson. However, the draft might end up being where they find their playmakers.