Fantasy: Flash Could Be Your League Winner

Disclaimer: I'm a Josh Gordon truther.

Am I about to tell you that a player who isn't even currently allowed to play football, but is going to win your fantasy football league? Absolutely.

First and foremost let's deal with the biggest question around Josh Gordon. Will the 28-year wideout play this season? 

Well, we know the former Cleveland Browns star has applied for reinstatement from his indefinite suspension.

Gordon was originally suspended for violating the terms of his reinstatement under the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He'd already stepped away from the game to focus on his recovery. The Patriots managed to win the Super Bowl without him but there is no doubting that they'd like him back on the roster.

New rookie receiver was originally given the number ten jersey but the Patriots quickly switched him to eight, to save the number in case of Flash's return. 

Not only that but he's been thrown balls by Tom Brady in the offseason, and has been spoken highly of from various senior Pats players including Brady and Julian Edelman.

What's also not up for debate is how well he performed in Foxborough after being traded from Cleveland, along with a seventh-round pick for a fifth-round pick. The staff at the Browns had grown tired of him but he impressed immediately with the Patriots, showing application and a deep understanding of a notoriously complex playbook.

He was on the field for 71.2% of the teams offensive snaps in his 11 games and racked up 40 receptions for 720 yards and 3 TDs in that time period. Pretty outstanding for a player coming from a long layoff, in a new team and with the aforementioned complex playbook.

It's clear from Tom Brady's words and actions that the receiver is still valued at the Patriots and should he return he'll be a key part of the offense, despite the arrival of N'Keal Harry.

Whether Flash gets reinstated is still up for debate but Roger Goodell has shown previously that has compassion when it comes to Josh Gordon. The fact he'd taken it upon himself to step away from the game, and the continued support of his teammates, should both work in his favor. 

If there is any chance that Gordon comes back this season then he absolutely should be rostered in your fantasy league. With an ADP of 130.4, per Yahoo, he is well worth a late-round flier. He's being selected lower than John Brown, Tyrell Williams and Marquise Brown, all talented players but they offer a fraction of the potential of Josh Gordon. 

Flash has been relatively quiet on social media since his suspension but in the glimpses that we have seen it's clear to see he's still been working out and looks in physical shape. That physicality, the unique blend of height, strength and speed is the reason why he's been given multiple chances in this league. Josh Gordon is a physical freak, he looks like the product of a laboratory experiment, but that doesn't do him justice. Just as Tom Brady learned, he has a supreme footballing IQ.

The ceiling is sky-high with Josh Gordon, so don't overthink this. If this man is available at the tail-end of your fantasy draft then you have to roll the dice. The likes of Tyrell Williams will never be anything more to your team than a bye-week play but Josh Gordon could be a factor down the stretch and in time for the fantasy playoffs.