As we learned last week, after seven years of trying to make it work, the Cleveland Browns decided to officially throw in the towel on talented but troubled wide receiver Josh Gordon, which means/meant that it wouldn't be too long before he was someone else's problem/steal (depending on the direction his career goes from here). According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the team that will take a chance by acquiring Gordon is none other than the New England Patriots. In return, the Browns will get a fifth-round pick, with Schefter saying that it was originally supposed to be a sixth-rounder but for the tiny technicality that the Patriots won't have a sixth-round selection this year. Additionally, New England will get a seventh-rounder back if Gordon fails to play ten games. It's doubtful Belichick and Co. will be sweating any of these scenarios either way: Schefter also added that Gordon's hamstring is healthy enough for him to play in New England's Sunday night game that'll kick off six days from now against Detroit: Shortly after Schefter's tweets, the Browns confirmed the news in their own (brief) posting that seemed like a good metaphor for settling for disappointment: Schefter added that other teams that were in on Gordon included Dallas, Washington, and San Francisco:<doc-sep>The New England Patriots reached a deal Monday for troubled Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon.The trade was confirmed by both teams Monday afternoon, although they did not release the terms of the deal.ESPN's Adam Schefter and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport cited unnamed sources in their tweets reporting that the Patriots sent Cleveland a fifth-round draft pick in return for Gordon. Additionally, the Patriots get a late-round draft pick if Gordon isn't active for 10 games, Schefter reported. The Browns announced plans to release Gordon, 27, after six years with the team. Alcohol and drug-related suspensions kept him off the field for over two years, until his return in 2017. Last week, Schefter reported that Gordon hurt his hamstring during a promotional shoot and not at practice.Gordon, who is listed at 6-foot 3-inches tall and 225 pounds, has played in 41 NFL games and totaled 180 receptions for 3,106 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013.The Patriots also announced Monday the release of wide receiver Corey Coleman. The New England Patriots reached a deal Monday for troubled Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon. The trade was confirmed by both teams Monday afternoon, although they did not release the terms of the deal. Advertisement Related Content Josh Gordon 'stepping away from the football field' to focus on mental health ESPN's Adam Schefter and the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport cited unnamed sources in their tweets reporting that the Patriots sent Cleveland a fifth-round draft pick in return for Gordon. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The #Patriots have agreed to trade for #Browns WR Josh Gordon, I’m told. Done deal. IT’s for a conditional 5th round pick. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2018 Additionally, the Patriots get a late-round draft pick if Gordon isn't active for 10 games, Schefter reported. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. And so the Patriots give up a 5th-round pick to get Josh Gordon and get back a late-round pick if he isn't active for 10 games, per sources. Tom Brady has a new target. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018 The Browns announced plans to release Gordon, 27, after six years with the team. Alcohol and drug-related suspensions kept him off the field for over two years, until his return in 2017. Last week, Schefter reported that Gordon hurt his hamstring during a promotional shoot and not at practice. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Josh Gordon hurt his hamstring at a promotional shoot, not at practice, per source. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2018 Gordon, who is listed at 6-foot 3-inches tall and 225 pounds, has played in 41 NFL games and totaled 180 receptions for 3,106 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2013. The Patriots also announced Monday the release of wide receiver Corey Coleman.<doc-sep>Need Fantasy Football lineup advice? Talk to CBS Sports on your Google Assistant to get insights on the best sleepers and to help decide between players. Just start with, "Hey Google, talk to CBS Sports." The Browns and receiver Josh Gordon are parting ways, the team announced Saturday. Whether he will be released or traded will likely be decided by Monday. Either way, his time in Cleveland is done. In a statement, Browns general manager said "we are going to release him on Monday." But the NFL Network reported that the Browns might trade Gordon before then and "as many as five teams" are interested in him. Three of those teams could be Dallas, New England and Buffalo -- all of which could use receiver help. However, one reason the Browns might be getting rid of Gordon, who has been suspended multiple times for problems with substance abuse, is "there was concern that perhaps he was struggling again with his sobriety or on the verge of relapsing," according to cleveland.com. Before news of his release, Gordon was ruled out for Sunday's game at New Orleans because of an injured hamstring. The cleveland.com report says Gordon showed up at the team facility for treatment early Saturday and was "not himself," which was cause for concern given his history. Gordon, 27, has played in only 11 games since the end of 2014 and has been suspended for 56 of a possible 97 games in his career. He also missed the start of training camp this season after spending an extended period of time in treatment at the University of Florida. It was at least his fifth known time in treatment. Clearly, there is a lot to still determine with Gordon, which brings us to his Fantasy value and what's next for the Browns. First and foremost, we hope his struggles with substance abuse are not a reason for his release, and hopefully he's not facing another suspension. For now, Fantasy owners should hold onto Gordon, who played in Week 1 against Pittsburgh but had just one catch for 17 yards and a touchdown on three targets. If he lands in the right situation, he could still be a quality Fantasy option in the majority of leagues. Based on the reports with Monday's potential release, unless a trade happens sooner, we could have an answer on his next team by Tuesday when waivers run in Fantasy leagues, and you can make a decision on dropping him then — if it comes to that. While he may never return to the form he showed us in 2013 when he had 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns, he could still perform like a No. 2 Fantasy receiver. It's a story that's still developing for Gordon. But the Browns are moving on with Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins as their top three receivers — for now. The team will likely add another receiver, and veteran free agent Dez Bryant could be an option, although ESPN reports the Browns don't seem to have an interest in the former Cowboy. Still, Bryant to Cleveland will be a popular rumor over the next few days, and it might be worth it to stash him if you have an open roster spot in deeper leagues. Bryant is currently owned in 36 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. Landry is locked in as the No. 1 receiver in Cleveland, and his value improves with Gordon gone. The same goes for tight end David Njoku, so both should see increased targets, especially in Week 2 at New Orleans. Duke Johnson will hopefully also benefit with a bigger role in the passing game. Fantasy owners interested in Gordon's replacement should consider Callaway, and he's owned in just 10 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. For now, just add Callaway in 12-man leagues with deeper rosters, but he should be picked up in all 14-team leagues or larger. Callaway only had one target in Week 1 against the Steelers for no catches, but he figures to be a prominent option in the passing game for Tyrod Taylor. And we'll see how much he's used against the Saints, which will be a good indication of his role moving forward. Higgins (1 percent owned) also gets a bump in value, but he's not as talented as Callaway. He operated as the No. 3 receiver against Pittsburgh and had one catch for 38 yards on three targets, but he's not someone to add right away outside of the deepest of leagues. As for Taylor, he remains a good streaming option heading into Week 2 against the Saints, and he's still someone to consider as a low-end starter in deeper leagues for the rest of the year. Even without Gordon, Taylor can get by in the passing game with Landry, Njoku, Johnson and potentially Callaway. Taylor's a threat with his legs — he ran for 77 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 — and that makes him a valuable Fantasy asset, especially in leagues where passing touchdowns are just four points. We'll see what the Browns do to replace Gordon, and where Gordon ends up. This was unexpected news on Saturday, and Gordon's story just added another interesting chapter to it in Fantasy and reality.<doc-sep>While many NFL fans are up in arms about the fact that the New England Patriots acquired Josh Gordon via trade, there is a positive. The Cleveland Browns were originally set to release the wide receiver, which means he could have signed with the Patriots by choice. At least in this scenario, New England had to give up something in return. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed, the Patriots will send a fifth-round pick to the Browns if Gordon is active for 10 games this season. If not, then it’ll be a seventh-rounder heading to Cleveland. Full compensation trade update: Patriots send Browns a 2019 fifth-round pick for WR Josh Gordon and get back a 2019 seventh-round pick if he is not active for 10 games, source tells ESPN. Trade was supposed to be for a 6th-round pick, but Patriots don't have a 6th. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018 Gordon is understandably excited to be joining a Super Bowl contender and teaming up with one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, and he hasn’t shied away from showing it. After posting on Instagram shortly after the deal was done, Gordon then liked a photoshopped video of Brady throwing him a touchdown. Via Casey Baker of Binge Sports: Josh Gordon just liked the #Patriots Instagram video of Tom Brady throwing him a touchdown and I can’t wait to watch these two play together pic.twitter.com/EHiSYWiBAc — Casey Baker (@CaseyBake16) September 18, 2018 Josh Gordon’s Upside With Tom Brady There’s an obvious reason to believe that Gordon could have a massive amount of success with the Patriots and specifically Brady. Obviously, the most common comparison for Gordon and Brady has been when the team acquired Randy Moss from the Oakland Raiders and he had immediate success with the quarterback. Moss tallied 1,493 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season with the team. But realistically, we can’t compare the two receivers and their on-field success. Moss is a supreme talent while Gordon has some question marks still surrounding him. Even still, the upside is there and Patriots fans have plenty to be excited about when it comes to the addition of Gordon. As far as what to expect this season from Gordon, that remains to be seen. For the time being, tempering expectations is a safe move, but that’s easier said than done. READ NEXT: Patriots’ Josh Gordon Reacts to Trade on Social Media<doc-sep>
When the news broke that the New England Patriots were the team able to strike a deal for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, it created a big uproar. The old saying of “the rich get richer” certainly stands true here, and one of the top Super Bowl contenders just added a new weapon for Tom Brady. Reactions poured in after ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed the official terms of the deal, which featured the Patriots sending a conditional fifth-round pick to the Browns. But no reaction will draw more attention than the one from Gordon himself. As Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal revealed, Gordon posted a photo of Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier in a Drew Bledsoe jersey shortly after the news. Josh Gordon on Instagram pic.twitter.com/5XGeBRyX0B — Mark Daniels (@MarkDanielsPJ) September 17, 2018 Trade Terms and Josh Gordon’s Week 3 Status As pointed out above, Schefter explained the breakdown of the deal. If Gordon is active for 10 games, the Browns will receive a fifth-round pick, but if not it becomes a seventh-rounder. Full compensation trade update: Patriots send Browns a 2019 fifth-round pick for WR Josh Gordon and get back a 2019 seventh-round pick if he is not active for 10 games, source tells ESPN. Trade was supposed to be for a 6th-round pick, but Patriots don't have a 6th. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018 Interestingly, the team apparently wasted no time making it known that Gordon will also take the field with the Patriots in Week 3 against the Detroit Lions in a primetime game. This means the 27-year-old’s debut with his new team will be on Sunday Night Football. 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 It’s taken just over two weeks for the 2018 NFL season to get flipped on its head. There’s no question Gordon is one of the most talented wide receivers in the league, but it’ll be interesting to see how he meshes with Bill Belichick and the good old Patriot way. Time will tell, but at the very least, the troubled pass-catcher now has an opportunity to reset his NFL career and essentially start over. READ NEXT: Barstool Sports President Vows to Stop Smoking Weed for Josh Gordon