Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon should be a major pickup for fantasy football owners, as the NFL and the NFLPA are working on a new drug policy and Gordon along with Wes Welker could be reinstated soon and for anyone that drafted Gordon, it would make them look very smart, but for anyone that dropped him, owners should be scrambling to see if he is a free agent in their leagues.
Gordon came into the season with the Browns knowing that he would be suspended at least for some time and it ended up for the whole year. Gordon led the league last season with 1646 yards and that was just in 14 games and he also added 82 receptions for a career high in a career season. Gordon was looking like a superstar in the making and now he is on the sidelines. The Browns have some hope though, as the NFL and the players union are working on a new deal regarding the drug policy.
According to ESPN.com, there is a chance that Gordon could be reinstated or his suspension cut a bit in a deal or agreement, as the league and union are trying to work on new policy details. The report says that Welker and Gordon could have their statuses changed retroactively and this comes as the NFL is considering changing their antiquated and unfair drug policy. The Browns would love to get Gordon back, as they could have a very deep roster of receivers for Brian Hoyer and he gives them a better chance to win games and that could come soon.
Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin along with Miles Austin have stepped in for Gordon and now the Browns may be getting him back. Benjamin did not have a big day for the Browns Sunday with two catches, but he could shape up in the coming weeks. Hawkins was the better option to start, as he had eight catches for 87 yards and now he could be a solid number two as long as he stays healthy. Hawkins left the game with a shoulder injury, but a promising note is that he had 10 targets in the game.
Gordon is among a number of players that would have their status changed and he could end up reinstated while missing some time if the league and the NFLPA can come to an agreement. The grand hypocrisy of the NFL is on display with Ray Rice and the Gordon situation and now all of that could come to a head. The league has out themselves in a terrible position on all fronts and they have no one to blame but themselves for what has happened.
Gordon, who claimed he failed a drug test due to second hand smoke, was not given the same latitude in telling his story that Ray Rice was. Rice was allowed to lie to everyone in the NFL, Ravens and criminal justice system and allowed to just get a two game suspension, while Gordon was not taken at face value about his story. Drug offenders: hard line. Domestic violence: nothing to see here.
