Harris: Two Ready-To-Return Studs Could Swing Fantasy Playoffs
By Adam Harris-
(CBS) Two major fantasy football names are on their way back to action, and they could have an epic impact in the fantasy playoffs.
In just a week-and-a-half, fantasy owners who have passed on countless waiver claims for lack of spots on their bench because they are carrying Browns receiver Josh Gordon will be rewarded. The record-setting Gordon is expected back in Week 12 on Nov. 23 from his 10-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy and is supposedly going to hit the ground running.
By then, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should be reinstated after pleading no-contest last week to misdemeanor assault charges in Texas. Peterson is awaiting judgement from the NFL under the personal conduct policy, which could have taken weeks if not for the NFLPA's appeal to expedite the process.
In fact, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio told the Mully and Hanley Show on Tuesday morning Peterson could technically be on the field this Sunday, although that remains a long shot.
Both players have missed significant time this year because of decisions they made, but Peterson's situation is less cut and dry than that of Gordon.
Last year, Gordon won fantasy championships. He averaged 16.6 points per week in the fantasy playoffs and was even better down the stretch of the fantasy regular season, averaging 33.6 fantasy points Weeks 12, 13 and 14. The question now isn't his potential. The question is whether he can perform like that coming off a 10-game suspension.
I believe he will. Gordon was nice enough to previously get suspended by the NFL, so I even have statistical evidence to back up my belief. Coming off his two-game suspension in 2013, Gordon averaged 16.9 points for the first four weeks. That's key because Gordon will have four weeks (12-15) to get your team to the fantasy championship game this season.
Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer is no stranger to Gordon, either. Hoyer targeted Gordon 26 times in the first two games that his stud receiver was back from suspension last year, and I expect much of the same once Week 12 rolls around.
Hoyer was injured in the first quarter of the third game that Gordon was back last year and never returned to the starting role, but the track record is there. Hoyer clearly knows how much of an impact Gordon can have and will try all he can to utilize him in this offense.
There's no tape this year on Gordon's game, thus making his speed and agility a surprise to opposing defenses who have yet to see him in his career. Gordon will face only two defenses between Week 12 and Week 16 that have seen him before, in Cincinnati and Buffalo. Gordon could win fantasy championships and should be owned in all leagues.
If a foe needs a win this week and owns Gordon, and you can afford a loss this week, I would make a trade offer of one of your starting pieces for Gordon in hopes his owner is desperate enough for a win to trade a guy who isn't playing this week. His potential's that high to swing the fantasy playoffs.
The case of Peterson is cloudier. He might be allowed to rejoin the Vikings in the next two weeks, but the team has yet to give any definite indication as to whether they would play him.
"We'd just prepare like he's not going to be here until we hear differently," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said recently.
"As an organization, we respect and understand the league's process," the Vikings said in a statement.
I actually think these quotes are quite telling. Neither Zimmer nor the Vikings said they weren't going to let Peterson play once he's reinstated. I read that as they are inclined to want to play him and are willing to do so.
Peterson hasn't seen the field since Week 1, but that doesn't scare me as a fantasy owner. He came off a torn ACL two years ago to rush for more than 2,000 yards. Anything is possible with Peterson, and that applies to this unique and bad situation he got himself into.
Peterson is worth owning in all leagues, and he's worth the same type of trade I detailed above involving Gordon. I would say Gordon will attract a higher value in return, but Peterson can have the same type of impact as we near the fantasy playoffs.
Adam Harris is a producer for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @aharris670 and feel free to ask fantasy questions.
