Browns: If Josh Gordon Had To Be Dealt, What Is The Return?

Let Gordon Prove Himself

Kris Grimes

To trade Josh Gordon or to not trade Josh Gordon. That is the question, yet it’s not that cut and dry. Why is that? Well that’s because Gordon is a rare specimen.

He is a guy who’s troubles off the field have trumped his on the field play. Yet, when Gordon is on the field he’s proven he is an elite level player. So what is his true value if he were to be traded?

For starters, teams would be leery at this point to trade anything other than a low-level pick or a low-level roster player. That means trading a potential Pro Bowl caliber player for a guy in the fifth-seventh rounds, who may or may not even make the team out of training camp next year.

The last thing the Browns need at this point are more “guys”. They need difference makers and Gordon is a potential difference maker. So what if he gets suspended again?

Former Browns CEO Joe Banner wanted to trade Gordon at one point because that possibility existed. Well, had he done it at the time, the Browns might have gotten a better deal. Yet at this point, Gordon’s value is middling at best.

So if I’m the Browns, I take my chances and hope Gordon can contribute to the team this year. It’s not like the Browns are going to get an impact player or high draft pick in return. So just think of him as a late round pick or the supplemental pick he was.

If Gordon makes it and sticks with the Browns this year and beyond that’s great! If not, then Cleveland really didn’t lose much.

Gordon’s risk and reward is higher than anything the Browns could get for him at this point. So I’d forgo trading him and just let him prove himself!

If Gordon goes out and delivers 1000+ yards and double-digit touchdowns in 12 games again, then the Browns will look great in keeping him. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t — just like any fifth-seventh round pick or fringe roster player the Browns might get offered in a trade.

Next: Acquiring NFL Ready Talent Is Nice, But Would Not Happen