The Kansas City Chiefs should make a move for wide receiver Josh Gordon.
Kansas City needs another receiver. Yes, general manager John Dorsey went out and signed Rod Streater and the Chiefs do have some options with Albert Wilson and Chris Conley entering their third and second years, respectively. There’s even a chance that De’Anthony Thomas is with the team come training camp.
All that said, Kansas City’s only quality receiver to this point is Jeremy Maclin. Maclin is a legitimate No. 1 option and with Travis Kelce, forms a dynamic pairing. Dorsey knows this, but should still try to upgrade the roster without much money available. This is where Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon comes in.
Gordon has all kinds of off-the-field issues. He’s 24 years old (25 in April) and is coming off a year-long suspension for alcohol usage. However, Gordon has stayed out of the news over the past year – unlike his former teammate Johnny Manziel – and is eligible for the start of the 2016 season.
When playing, Gordon is a devastating playmaker. In his second season, 2013, Gordon caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns despite playing with Jason Campbell and Brandon Weeden.
At this point, Cleveland is cleaning house and wants to build for the future. Why not offer the Browns a fifth-round pick this year (Kansas City has two) and a fourth-round pick next year? The Browns get a few cheap contracts and some prospects, while the Chiefs get one of the most talented – and troubled – players in the league.
Normally, I would be completely against this move. I can’t stand problem guys. But this isn’t Greg Hardy or Adrian Peterson. He didn’t beat up anybody. Gordon is not a bad guy by all accounts, but a young man trying to find his way after a rough upbringing. If there is any head coach in the league who can help him, it’s Andy Reid.
Gordon would be an incredible compliment to Maclin, and perhaps put Kansas City over the proverbial top. The Chiefs would be able to have Kelce, Gordon, Maclin and Jamaal Charles on the field at once. Good luck.
It should be noted that if Gordon gets suspended again, it stands to be a lifetime ban. The Chiefs would be taking a gamble, hoping he stays clean. Sometimes, to win the Super Bowl, you have to be willing to take a chance and hope it doesn’t come up snake eyes.
In the case of Gordon, the risk is worth the potential reward.