Josh Gordon Should Not Be on Fantasy Radar in 2014

Josh Gordon's playing status for the 2014 season has left fantasy owners in the lurch since discussions about a new drug policy in the NFL left open the possibility he could return at some point. Regardless of what happens with this case, Cleveland's star wide receiver should not be on your team this year. 

It does seem likely that Gordon will see the field at some point this year. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, if/when the NFL's new drug policy is approved, it will significantly reduce the amount of time the Browns will be without their best player:

If that holds true, Gordon would be eligible to return for Cleveland's Week 10 game at Cincinnati. There's great temptation to make sure a wide receiver of his caliber is on your team, even while suspended, because we've seen what he can do on the field. 

Last year, with the revolving quarterback door that included Brian Hoyer, Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden, Gordon had an astounding 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. He set a new franchise record for receiving yards, shattering Braylon Edwards' previous mark of 1,289 in 2007. 

ESPN Stats & Info tweeted out a stat showing how much of a focal point Gordon was in Cleveland's passing game last year:

All of those numbers look fantastic and Gordon is just 23 years old with a lot of football left in him. The problems come in when you start examining the situation he's walking back into and his history. 

It's hard enough to play in the NFL, but when you are talking about missing eight games and two months with your team, walking back in the door doesn't immediately put you in game shape and guarantee that the 100-yard games will start flowing. 

Now, before you start adjusting your roster waiting for him to return, Browns head coach Mike Pettine didn't even sound optimistic about getting his star receiver back, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

We also know that Gordon hasn't been able to focus all of his time on football. He famously took a job as a car salesman while on suspension, even making his first sale on September 9 (h/t History of Sports):

"

Josh Gordon (#Browns) makes 1st car sale pic.twitter.com/6BEZ9QmRSw

— History Of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) September 9, 2014"

That's not to say that Gordon has to spend every waking moment on football, or that he's ignoring the game while on suspension, but how many players are out of the game for eight weeks and able to step right in like nothing was wrong. 

Peyton Manning, arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, had three interceptions in his second game as a member of the Denver Broncos in 2012. Sticking with Denver, Von Miller was suspended for the first six games of 2013 and finished with 27 tackles and five sacks in nine games. 

If you want to own Gordon, the end of the season heading into the playoffs would be the time to do it. That's when he will have his legs under him and a rapport with Hoyer. Picking him up now expecting big results whenever he returns—assuming the new policy passes and his suspension is reduced—would be wasting a roster spot. 

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