It is no secret that the Raiders need wide receiver help, even when Tyrell Williams returns from his foot injury. It’s arguably the team’s weakest position on the roster, outside of maybe linebacker or defensive end.
With the NFL trade deadline less than a week away, time is running out for the Raiders to find a true No. 1 receiver. However, they might not need to make a trade to dramatically improve the position.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Patriots are expected to release Josh Gordon from the injured reserve list, once he is healthy. The expectation is that he could return to the field in a few weeks once he is healed from his knee injury.
If the Raiders were to be interested in Gordon, they would need to place a waiver claim on him once he is released. But is this something that Oakland would even entertain? The answer is likely, yes.
There is certainly some risk when it comes to signing Gordon, but nothing that compares to Antonio Brown or even Richie Incognito. The cost would be small as he is due less $1 million for the rest of the season. The Raiders would get a chance to try Gordon in their offense before offering him a long-term deal this offseason.
As for the fit on the offense, he would make a ton of sense. He can make plays down the field, after the catch, and as an X-receiver. If and when Gordon is placed on waivers, expect head coach Jon Gruden to take another chance on finding a true No. 1 receiver.
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