The Return of Josh Gordon

If you were to google this headline, I'm sure you would find at least a dozen articles about this story, but all different seasons. Could this finally be the year Josh Gordon makes his triumphant return to the National Football League? The 26 year old receiver hasn't touched the field since the 2014 season. He's super talented, making the pro bowl in 2013, but his career has been derailed by a crippling drug problem. I was a big Josh Gordon fan, always keeping up with the news to see if it's worth making a waiver claim for him in fantasy. I drafted this guy last year and really expected a return in the 2016 season. After Gordon checked himself into rehab, I gave up, and thought for sure that marked the end of his career. Then he goes and drops that video this year pouring his heart out to the internet, trying to come back. Well it activated what little sympathy the commissioner had and they decided to reinstate him. It's conditional, though, which means he won't be able to see game time until week 13. Now this makes him the definition of "Boom or Bust". Being removed from the game for 3 years really takes a toll on a player, and coming back to a broken team like the Browns doesn't exactly leave much possibility of an upside. Without all-pro tackle Joe Thomas, the offensive line is severely wounded. DeShone Kizer is of course running into problems, probably just because he's wearing a Cleveland jersey under center. The (failed) trade attempt for AJ McCarron just proves the team's doubts for their rookie QB, and the lack of a supporting cast of wideouts does not bode well for Gordon's success against secondaries. All that being said, there's no disputing his raw talent. His business manager, Michael Johnson, spoke very highly of him, saying that he is in the best shape of his life and that "the best player in the world is back in the NFL". This is some high praise, but it's coming from the guy who was hired to help Josh Gordon be successful, so of course he's going to say good things about his client. I'm optimistic with Gordon and I'm one of those people who hoards him on my bench in fantasy, but I'm not too confident that he will be able to find success this season in Cleveland. Still, it will be nice to see him back on the field and hopefully some experience back in the game, albeit a part of that dumpster fire, will help him get back to where he was before his career was derailed. 

-Matty Ice (@mahon_4)