Josh Gordon has been a favorite name in the fantasy football community for years. After his magical 2013 season, fantasy football players have been waiting for years for him to get his personal life in order so that he could produce on the field again. When Gordon was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the New England Patriots, it looked like the best thing that could have happened to Gordon. He ended up playing ten games for the team, piling up 720 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game once again. However, he is back and ready to start the season. Comparing his ADP with the other Patriots receiver, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon is a much better pick in drafts.
Fantasy Football: Draft Josh Gordon Over Julian Edelman
Gordon Has the Upside
Edelman is the safe pick of the Patriots receivers. He has been with the team since 2009 and has appeared in at least nine games in all but one season. Edelman is a player who has gotten better throughout his NFL career, but he hasn’t exactly been the most productive wide receiver out there.
He only has two seasons with over 1,000 yards (2013 and 2016). However, last year he had 850 yards even after missing four games due to a suspension. He has moved up the depth chart and has obvious rapport with quarterback Tom Brady. But Edelman’s best season in fantasy, in 2016, gave him a WR16 finish.
Gordon’s ceiling is a lot higher. No one can forget that back in 2013, Gordon was the WR1, racking up 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. Obviously, returning to those numbers are unlikely, but Gordon remains a physical freak who Brady has repeatedly said he loves.
Worth the Risk
Obviously, Gordon is a huge risk. The troubled wideout was conditionally reinstated, meaning the rug could be pulled out from under him at any time. He hasn’t played 16 games since his rookie season back in 2012. However, Gordon seems to be getting it together, and the Patriots believe that he will be there to contribute all season.
It is tough for a wide receiver to get on the same page with a quarterback after being traded during the season. Gordon got off to a slow start with the Patriots after being traded from the Browns. In his first three games, he didn’t have more than 50 yards receiving. But Brady and Gordon got more in sync throughout the season.
In Gordon’s next eight games, he had under 50 yards receiving only twice and put up two 100-yard games. Brady and Gordon have thrown together multiple times during the off-season to continue to develop chemistry. If Gordon plays a full season, he could be a top wide receiver in the fantasy.
ADP and Outlook
The biggest reason to draft Gordon over Edelman is their ADP. Julian Edelman’s value is way too high right now. He’s ranked by ESPN as the WR12, four spots higher than he has ever finished in his career. Since Edelman missed the first four games of the season, the ranking can be justified by looking at weeks five through 17 from last season, where Edelman ranks as the WR9. Still, it is tough to justify taking him over higher ceiling guys like Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen, and Brandin Cooks.
Gordon on the other hand is ranked about two or three rounds later as the WR28. Looking at the other wide receivers around that area, it would be tough to not take Gordon. Right above him as the WR27 is Calvin Ridley. Ridley has talent but also plays behind Julio Jones. Sammy Watkins lands a few spots behind. Watkins was a first-round pick, but has never really caught fire in the NFL. He also plays behind Tyreek Hill. Sterling Shepard is mashed between Gordon and Watkins. Shepard is probably the safer pick here, but his upside is nowhere near Gordon’s.
In the end, Gordon is the Patriots wide receiver to target in drafts.
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