The Patriots, Browns Have Completed Trade For WR Josh Gordon

The Patriots were rumored to be one of the teams interested in making a trade for Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon. The rumors have now been made official.

Gordon is heading to New England. The Patriots and the Browns have agreed to a trade.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport both broke the news of the major trade.

Rapoport first reported that the Patriots were in on Gordon. New England is reportedly giving up a fifth-round pick, but there are conditions.

Schefter has the full details on the conditions. "Trade now agreed to: Patriots are sending Cleveland a 5th-round pick and if Gordon isn't active for 10 games, Patriots get back a late-round pick from Browns, sources tell ESPN," he reports.

Schefter added more details:

"Full compensation trade update: Patriots send Browns a 2019 fifth-round pick for WR Josh Gordon and get back a 2019 seventh-round pick if he is not active for 10 games, source tells ESPN. Trade was supposed to be for a 6th-round pick, but Patriots don't have a 6th."

There is no doubting Gordon's talent and ability. However, there are serious concerns about his ability to show up. The Browns gave him chance after chance after chance, only to finally have had enough. The Patriots have major question marks at wide receiver, though, and New England has had success in the past with taking chances like this. Yahoo! Sports' NFL insider Charles Robinson had more on the Patriots' interest in Josh Gordon. "New England is desperate to add speed/playmaking to the offense. Gordon's use can fit well with Edelman/Gronk in Pats scheme. Belichick prizes availability first, which is an issue. But the talent+need is overriding," he reports.

Gordon, if healthy and available, should become a top target for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. The "ifs" are pretty big there, though.

Stay tuned.