New York Giants: Should the team target Josh Gordon?

The New York Giants need some help on offense other than Odell Beckham Jr. Is Cleveland’s Josh Gordon a serious option the Giants should consider?

All right, I’ll admit right off the bat that this article is based on something that someone I follow recently tweeted.

Still, I think a potential Josh Gordon-New York Giants marriage has a lot of positives, as long as the former can stay out of trouble.

So this isn’t exactly ESPN breaking news, but it is food for thought and it is worth considering.

More from New York Giants

• New York Giants deliberately disrespecting Saquon Barkley at this point
• 2023 NFL Season: Saquon Barkley signs silly deal with Giants
• New York Giants make big move with star RB disgruntled
• NFL: Which Giant deserved a contract extension – Barkley or Jones?
• 5 NFL teams that will definitely disappoint fans in 2023

There’s no question the New York Giants need help at the wide receiver position. Rueben Randle is set to be a free agent, and he was never really able to live up to the hype surrounding his second-round status. He was inconsistent, and proved to be average.

Dwayne Harris was a bit of a revelation, playing well in spurts. But he’s better suited as a third or fourth receiver, as most of his money comes from special teams. Victor Cruz‘s status is still a question mark, as the fan-favorite receiver can’t seem to stay healthy.

Related Story: The 30 greatest Giants of all-time

The Giants absolutely need to upgrade the wide receiver position, but drafting one would take away a chance to improve the defense. Drafting a receiver is also risky, as those players sometimes don’t pan out. Signing one in free agency would take away the chance to allocate money to the defensive side of the ball, as well.

So why not Josh Gordon, a player whose proven he can dominate on the football field?

Well, the obvious caveat to Gordon is his checkered history. He’s been suspended by the NFL numerous times for violating the league’s drug policy, and he was out of football for all of 2015 as he served a year-long suspension.

However, Gordon seems to finally be “getting it,” which is something his former teammate Johnny Manziel has yet to do. Commissioner Roger Goodell said he’s ‘hopeful’ Gordon understands he has to act differently, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

Perhaps it’s just the optimist in me, but it does seem like Gordon has been taking the necessary steps to repairing his image, and he seems eager to show off the new him. He retweeted a philosophical Victor Cruz tweet, and for all intents and purposes, the tweet showcases Gordon.

Nobody knows what he’s been up to over his suspension. But he seems to think he’s become a better person. Gordon himself tweeted that he vows to change his circle of friends in an attempt to better himself. The tweet has since been deleted, as well as the rest of Gordon’s tweets prior to Feb. 1. It seems like his cleansing of his Twitter feed is symbolic of the new life he’s trying to lead.

For what it’s worth, Gordon has been liking tweets sent his way about joining the Giants. But then again, he’s been liking just about any tweet sent his way about joining a team, so it’s tough to measure the validity.

I will say this: A player who wants to stay put probably wouldn’t favorite tweets about going to another team. It does seem like Gordon wants out of Cleveland, and to be frank, a change of scenery is probably best for both parties.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m just bored and reading too much into this.

There’s also the obvious chance that Cleveland doesn’t let him go if he gets reinstated. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if new head coach Hue Jackson decides to part ways with Gordon in an attempt to drive home the point that he doesn’t want any extracurricular activities.

If Gordon gets released, New York has to be an enticing option for him. Odell Beckham Jr. has quickly established himself as perhaps the second best receiver in the NFC, and playing opposite of him, while catching passes from a top-notch quarterback would be a positive.

If he’s not released, it’s also possible the Giants make a move and try to trade for him. It’s tough to say what Cleveland’s asking price would be. My guess would be a third or fourth-round draft pick. Sure, those picks are usually coveted by teams, but considering the Giants have had little-to-no success in the third and fourth round during Jerry Reese‘s tenure (the best pick was probably Mario Manningham in the third round of 2008), I wouldn’t be kicking and screaming to see one of those picks go in exchange for Gordon.

If Gordon straightens out his off-field issues and proves to teams he can act professionally, then watch out. This dude has special talent, even if you may have forgotten about it. Remember, this is the same dude who was a first-team All-Pro in 2013 after catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. Gordon also holds the record for most consecutive games with over 200 yards receiving.

More nfl spin zone: New York Giants: Analyzing impact of recent releases

He’s enormously talented, and he’s had my attention ever since he burned the Giants for a 62-yard score in 2012. He has all of the physical tools, too. Gordon’s been training to get better, too. Jordan Zim of STACK.com outlined Gordon’s manic training in preparation for a 2016 comeback. Gordon just needs to figure out himself off the field, but it seems like he’s already done that.

Look, the NFL could ultimately not reinstate Gordon, which would make this entire article null and void. However, if the NFL lets him back in, Gordon seems determined to stay in. If all of that happens, the Giants should do an un-Giants move and take a chance of the uber-talented wide out.

Writer’s note

I’m all in on this idea. Why not? Sure, it’s not a “Giants-like” move. But making those moves has resulted in three sub-.500 seasons and zero playoff appearances over the past four seasons. Acquiring Gordon would solve the wide receiver position for the forseeable future, and it would allow the Giants to focus solely on improving the defense.