Nobody can say that the New England Patriots have not done everything possible to shore up their wide receiver depth. Head coach Bill Belichick made perhaps the biggest splash of 2018 on Monday, sending a conditional fifth-round pick to the Cleveland Browns for the incredibly talented Josh Gordon. While the Josh Gordon trade appears to be risky at face value, it’s actually a brilliant move by the Patriot organization.
Bill Belichick Outsmarts League Again With Josh Gordon Trade
Just How Good Is Josh Gordon
Josh Gordon may be one of the most talented receivers in the history of football, and that’s not hyperbole. The troubled wide receiver had one of the greatest seasons in football history in 2013, catching 87 passes for a league-leading 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. He did this despite playing in just 14 games and having to catch passes from the likes of Brandon Weeden, Brian Hoyer, and Jason Campbell.
While suspensions and substance abuse issues have limited Gordon’s time on the field, he’s still been productive since that magical 2013 season. In 11 games from 2014 to 2017, Gordon has recorded 43 receptions for 655 yards and two touchdowns. When expanded over a 16-game season, this projects to 63 receptions for 953 yards and three touchdowns. Once again, Gordon managed to produce these solid numbers despite battling substance abuse, three different head coaches, and too many quarterbacks to count.
What’s truly terrifying is that the league hasn’t seen Josh Gordon at his best yet. According to Gordon himself, the wide receiver had never played a professional football game sober. While this is obviously a harrowing statement on Gordon’s addiction issues, he’s reportedly sober now. Obviously, it’s easier to play professional football sober as opposed to under the influence. If he can keep his head out of trouble (big if), the sky is the limit for this guy.
Additionally, the Cleveland Browns have had arguably the worst quarterback and coaching situation in football since Gordon entered the league. With the New England Patriots, he’ll have the best quarterback and coaching situation in the world. Tom Brady can make anybody look good, and Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels are masters at putting players in position to succeed.
The Low-Risk of Gordon
As great as Gordon could be, there’s a very real chance that he never contributes anything to this team. The Browns gave Gordon six years’ worth of chances, yet he could never keep his head out of trouble. Gordon isn’t familiar with the playbook, and even if he stays straight he’ll never produce if he can’t earn Tom Brady’s trust.
The Patriots will ultimately lose very little should Gordon flame out. New England gave up a fifth-round pick for Gordon’s services, but there is a catch. If Gordon plays in fewer than ten games for the Patriots, New England gets the Browns seventh-round pick. This minor swap of draft capital means next to nothing in the grand scheme of things, especially considering Belichick’s history with the fifth round.
For whatever reason, the New England Patriots do not like selecting players in the fifth round. In recent years, the Patriots have traded fifth-round picks for players like Mike Gillislee, Chris Hogan and (partially) Cordarrelle Patterson, just to name a few. Since 2012, the Patriots have selected just two players in the fifth-round of the NFL Draft.
Additionally, it’s not like Gordon is taking a roster spot away from a valuable receiver. The bottom of the Patriots depth chart has been in a state of constant turnover. Since Week One, the Patriots have signed and/or released Riley McCarron, Corey Coleman, and Bennie Fowler.
If the Patriots need someone to come on in a pinch, they can always sign Kenny Britt. Britt knows the playbook and is available as a free agent. Chances are, no other team would sign Britt, as he’d have to learn a whole new offense. If the Josh Gordon experiment fails, the Patriots can just sign Britt and incorporate him into the offense in short notice.
Last Word on the Josh Gordon Trade
The Patriots have everything to gain and very little to lose with the Josh Gordon trade. New England has a giant need at the wide receiver position, and Gordon is one of the most talented players in the game. Gordon had one of the greatest seasons in history back in 2013 and has been a solid receiver whenever he’s been on the field. If Gordon can keep his head straight and learn the offense, this could be one of the greatest steals of the 2018 season.
Even if Gordon doesn’t pan out, the Patriots lose very little by trying. New England only surrendered a fifth-round pick for Gordon’s services, and history shows Belichick doesn’t care much for the fifth round of the draft. The Patriots will receive a seventh-round pick if Gordon plays in fewer than ten games, and Kenny Britt will be around should the Patriots need a receiver in a pinch.
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