Who will lead the Patriots in receiving yards this year?

3. Josh Gordon

Remember that word “mysterious” we used earlier in this article to describe the Patriots’ pass-catching group? Well, that refers directly to Josh Gordon.

Fellow receiver teammate Julian Edelman recently opened up about Gordon, stating in an interview that he selfishly wants the suspended receiver to return because “he’s a really good football player” and “he balls.” Edelman isn’t an idiot… he also knows that Gordon’s return only takes more focus and defensive concentration away from Edelman himself, which in turn leads to more opportunities, more stats, and potentially more glory.

In the same interview though, Edelman admitted that he’s “asked 30 people inside the organization and outside (the organization), like, ‘Do you know what’s going to happen?’ And no one knows not one thing. So we’re just kind of sitting and waiting to see what the circumstances are going to be with him because he’d be a really good tool to have.”

The NFL hasn’t provided any updates with regards to when or if Gordon might be returning to the New England lineup. As far as anyone knows, Gordon is still focusing on his own mental health and recovery from a long and public battle with addiction and substance abuse issues. He created a bit of a stir when he was spotted playing catch with Tom Brady on social media, but he’s still indefinitely suspended as far as anyone knows.

If, however, that suspension were to be revoked and Gordon became re-instated, look out.

It’s hard to believe, but Gordon is still just 28 years old. He had his best season since his first two years in Cleveland last year with the Patriots, leading the team in receiving yards until he had to step away from football in December. His 40 receptions for 720 yards and and three touchdowns in just 11 games of action really set the bar high for what Gordon could bring to this New England offense if and when he’s healthy and ready to return (and the league deems it so).