Josh Gordon Is Worthy of Roster Spot in Fantasy Football Leagues

It will be months before Josh Gordon will be able to play for the Cleveland Browns, but he is still worth keeping on your fantasy roster.

While the talented receiver was originally suspended for a full season after a failed drug test, the suspension will reportedly be reduced to 10 games. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com explained the situation:

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Browns receiver Josh Gordon will have his suspension reduced from a season-long ban to 10 games once the new drug policy is formally approved, a league source told cleveland.com Friday.

[...]

The source told cleveland.com that Gordon will be suspended for 10 games, because it's his fourth violation of the substance-abuse policy. With the ban beginning with the opener last week, Gordon would be eligible to be reinstated Nov. 23 in Atlanta.

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This gives the 23-year-old player six games to make an impact on the 2014 season. Even with this limited opportunity to shine, experts like Michael Fabiano of NFL.com believe Gordon is worth picking up in fantasy football:

Gordon certainly believes he is capable of making an impact in the short span, wondering if he can make a Pro Bowl appearance:

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Good morning, let's get in shape.. #6games #probowl ?

— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) September 14, 2014"

For most players in the NFL, it would be ridiculous to think six games would be enough time to be considered among the best in the league. However, Gordon is unlike anyone else with his impressive combination of size, speed and strength from the wide receiver position.

In the last six games of 2013, the receiver totaled an incredible 895 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He also added 56 rushing yards on two carries in that time. If he only played these six games, he would had 122 fantasy points in standard leagues, good enough for 25th among receivers.

Fortunately for fantasy owners last season, he was able to play 14 games and finish as the No. 1 player at his position, according to ESPN.

It is obviously difficult to assume he can go on the same type of hot streak this time around, but he has the same talent and is still the best receiving target in Cleveland. Whether Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel is starting at quarterback at that point of the year, either one should be better than Jason Campbell was last year.

While wasting a roster spot for this long of a period could end up hurting your team, especially when byes pick up during the middle of the season, Gordon should be a difference-maker down the stretch.

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

In six games, Gordon can become a key part of your lineup during the stretch of the season to get your team into the playoffs. You will be happy if he is there in the playoffs when you try to win a championship.

Unless you have a wide-open league, the last player on your bench will likely be a high-upside player who might possibly contribute at the end of the year. Conversely, Gordon is a high-upside player who will contribute at the end of the year.

If he is available in your fantasy league, pick him up as soon as possible.

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