Statistical Over/Unders for Josh Gordon as a Patriot in 2018

• The Patriots acquired WR Josh Gordon from the Browns on Monday afternoon
• Gordon has appeared in just six games since 2014
• Will Gordon flame out in New England? Or will he set the NFL world on fire once again?

Josh Gordon is extremely talented.

He is also extremely controversial.

If this sounds like a broken record, that’s because it is. Gordon is about to spend a season hearing his name mentioned alongside Corey Dillon and Randy Moss.

Getting fired up negatively about the Patriots adding Josh Gordon seems so forced. What's the worst that's going to happen? They move from the bottom of the fifth round to the seventh. Who cares? Add Josh Gordon, and see what happens.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 17, 2018

But that’s if things go well.

If they don’t, then he’s more of an Albert Haynesworth or Chad Ochocinco.

The Patriots took a Patriot-like chance on the uber-talented, often suspended wide receiver. Now it’s up to him whether he sinks or swims in New England.

Moss came to New England under far different circumstances than Gordon is the point. So declaring that, if I don’t think Gordon is a fit, I must have thought Moss was a bad fit too is … bad logic. https://t.co/pZj0w2sUlu

— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) September 17, 2018

But how much of an impact can we expect from Gordon? After all, he’s missed out on an entire off-season with the Pats and played just six games since 2014.

How Much Will Josh Gordon Play in Week 3?

While none of them have the pure skill of Gordon, the Patriots have made a habit of adding receivers mid-season.

In 2017 it was Kenny Britt. 2016 it was Michael Floyd. 2015 it was Keshawn Martin.

None of them played a ton of snaps in their first games with the Pats.

*-Player participated in Patriots’ off-season program
Martin played the most of any player who didn’t spend the off-season with Tom Brady. Despite being little more than a depth option, he had a base knowledge of the Pats’ system, coming from Bill O’Brien and the Texans.

As some have pointed out, Gordon may have a similar leg up. While it doesn’t build a rapport with Brady, it could give him a solid starting point.

I forget Haley worked with Belichick on the late-90s Jets. https://t.co/mMIXJZgQJu

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 17, 2018

The rapport is the most important thing though, and six days isn’t enough to play 90% of snaps in the Pats’ offense.

New Patriots WR Josh Gordon is healthy enough from his strained hamstring to play Sunday vs. the Lions, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018

By all accounts, Gordon is healthy enough to play on Sunday. That doesn’t mean he will though. If he does, expect his snap count to hover somewhere in the 20s.

Over/Under Week 3 Snaps for Josh Gordon

How Much of an Impact Will Gordon Have in 2018?

Whether or not he plays much in Week 3, Gordon will get plenty of opportunities this season.

The question then becomes what his numbers will look like at season’s end.

Patriots Receivers in Their 1st Season With the Team

^ indicates rookie
For this, we can ignore what those late-season pickups did. While he didn’t have a full off-season with the team like the guys above, their results are more relevant.

Both Mitchell and Hogan had moderate success in their first Patriots season. It’s tough to argue whether LaFell or Cooks had the better first year (LaFell was the better fit for the offense). Dorsett was a write-off.

Gordon’s two best seasons in the NFL were his first two. He had 50 catches in his first season, and 87 in his second.

From The Aftermath: The #Patriots are trading for WR Josh Gordon… giving Tom Brady his most talented weapon since Randy Moss. pic.twitter.com/ag94Krz3jk

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2018

Don’t expect him to approach the LaFell/Cooks territory in terms of production, though.

As he learns the playbook in New England, Gordon’s looks will go up. But he’ll also be fighting for targets among Dorsett, Hogan, Rob Gronkowski, James White, and a returning Julian Edelman.

With 14 games remaining, a Hogan/Mitchell type of impact is very do-able. Even with the competition.

Over/Under Receiving Stats for Josh Gordon in 2018

How Long Will Gordon Last as a Patriot?

With the news that Gordon was headed to New England, books released two props surrounding the troubled receiver’s future.

Typically the Patriots are resting starters come Week 17. They’re also preparing for a first-round bye.

If that’s the case this season, I would expect Gordon, Gronkowski, Brady, and Edelman to all be active. They’d like to get a quarter or two of work as well.

The only way this isn’t a yes, is if Gordon is cut by then.

This one is a little trickier. Some have called the Patriots the NFL’s version of Last Chance U.

The popular saying: If you can’t make it work with Tom Brady, who can you make it work with?

Gordon is on a short leash when it comes to NFL discipline. But one would hope he can at least make it through this NFL season without crossing the NFL line.

And if he can? Then the Patriots may have found their next transcendent offensive weapon.