We all have that player that we hold truther status for. For me, it has and always will be for Josh Gordon. The man is simply #good at football.

I vehemently advocated for adding him to your benches all season. In the beginning, the negativity was strong. I stood strong in my takes. Many said he won’t play again. Rumors began to swirl. Then came pessimism. “He hasn’t played football in years” or “He plays for the Browns.” I understand. Gordon burnt many of us over the years. I simply choose to root for the person and want nothing more than to see him return to the glory of years past.

Let us not forget that he’s still only 26 years old. He battled his demons and appeared to have won. Reports from the Browns practice facility are glowing. HC Hue Jackson said that he has ‘big plans’ for him this week. Beat reporters said that he looks like the best wide receiver on the field and it’s not close. One reported that he ran a 4.3 forty over the summer.

Now, I can already hear the but. But Kevin, Deshone Kizer is his QB. Certainly not optimal. However, let’s remember that Jason Cambell and Brandon Weeden were his QBs in 2013. Save the drama for your mama. In addition, it should help to have Corey Coleman to draw coverage away from Gordon.

At this point, none of us know what to expect. I do know that a few years ago a player who was out of football for three years returned and won many of us championships. His name is Tim Hightower. Yes, I understand completely different and he was tethered to Drew Brees. The point is we do have some past precedence to reference regarding a player sitting out three years, then returning, and playing at a relatively high level. Not too mention, Josh Gordon is a far superior athlete and possesses top 10 WR upside in years to come.

Over the next four weeks, he faces the Chargers, Packers, Ravens, and Bears. If you’re fighting for a playoff spot, then I wouldn’t play him this week. We simply don’t know what his usage will be and it’s a tough matchup. The Chargers rank 7th in pass DVOA per Football Outsiders. However, then the skies open and the fantasy gods give us a matchup against the Packers. This is a secondary that allows the second most fantasy points per game to WRs and ranks 23rd in pass DVOA. The other two matchups aren’t fantastic either. Baltimore has been elite against opposing wide receivers. Chicago is tough, but they really struggled to stop WR1 (rank 26th against opposing teams number one wideout).

At the end of the day, we are talking about a lottery ticket. If he returns to his glory of 2013 when he racked up 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns (117 yards per game) in just 14 games, then you will be over the moon. It could carry your team to a championship. If he looks more like the 2014 version, then so be it. It’s a roster spot that he’s taking up after bye weeks are over and he’s free (besides your waiver claim, if applicable).

Fantasy football is supposed to be fun. Regardless if the dude balls or not, I’m thrilled to see him work his way back into the league. I’m hoping for continued success.

For the life of me, I don’t know why so many try to take the “fun” out of it. Sure, plenty of us play for cold hard cash. I totally understand that as a complete degen for DFS. But when it comes to redraft, live a little. Remove the large stick from your arse and let your hair down. Fire up Josh Gordon Week 14 and enjoy while he racks up 100 yards and a touchdown.

Below is a take on Johnny Cash’s The Man Comes Around.

Josh Gordon: When the Man Comes Around

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder

One of the four beasts saying,

‘Come and see.’ and I saw, and behold Josh Gordon.”

There’s a man goin’ ’round takin’ names

And he decides who to free and who to blame

Everybody won’t be treated all the same

There’ll be a golden ladder reachin’ down

When Josh Gordon comes around

The hairs on your arm will stand up

At the terror in each reception and in each touchdown

Will you partake of that last waiver add

Or disappear into the haters’ abyss?

When Josh Gordon comes around

Hear the trumpets hear the pipers

One hundred million truthers singin’

Multitudes are marchin’ to the big kettledrum

Truthers callin’, Haters cryin’

Some are reborn and some are tiltin’

It’s alpha and omega’s kingdom come

And the whirlwind is in the tweets

The fantasy gamers are all setting their lineups

The whirlwind is in the tweets

It’s hard for thee to challenge against the pricks

Till armageddon no shalam, no shalom

Then Josh Gordon will call his truthers home

The wise man will bow down to the throne of Josh Gordon

And at his feet, they’ll cast their golden crowns

When Josh Gordon comes around

Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still

Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still

Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still

Listen to the words long written down

When Josh Gordon comes around

Hear the trumpets hear the pipers

One hundred million truthers singin’

Multitudes are marchin’ to the big kettledrum

Truthers callin’, Haters cryin’

Some are reborn and some are tiltin’

It’s alpha and omega’s kingdom come

And the whirlwind is in the tweets

The fantasy gamers are all setting their lineups

The whirlwind is in the tweets

It’s hard for thee to challenge against the pricks

In measured standard and PPR points

When Josh comes around

“And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts

And I looked, and behold Josh Gordon

And his name that sat on him was death, and hell followed with him”