Possible Odell Beckham Jr. Trade?

Story posted March 28, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports by Camden Tofil

The news broke that Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. won’t step onto the field this season unless he receives a new contract extension, in which he has expressed desire to be the highest paid player in the league.

Giants co-owner John Mara told the New York Post that they weren’t trying to trade Beckham, but made it clear that nobody is untouchable. With a leaked video of Beckham in a potential situation with what looked like drugs and the receiver’s expiring contract at the end of the season, many have wondered if a Beckham Jr. trade is possible.

While a trade seems unlikely, I look at four teams that could possibly facilitate a trade for the superstar receiver.

1.) Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have been the only team to be released in potential trade talks with the Giants. Los Angeles has been big players this offseason by acquiring Marcus Peters, Aquib Talib and Ndamukong Suh. So why not make one more major move?

Los Angeles lost Sammy Watkins to Kansas City and lack a star at the receiver position. The Rams have solid receiviers, but could really use Beckham to open up space for Gurley to operate as a rusher and pass-catcher out of the backfield.

Beckham would also provide a lethal and reliable target for quarterback Jared Goff. Adding Beckham would put the Rams right on top of the NFC along with Philadelphia.

2.) Cleveland Browns

Beckham’s former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry has already put out tweets asking the Browns to go get the star receiver. If any team has the draft capital to pry Beckham from New York, it’s the Browns.

Pairing Beckham with Landry would be one of the top receiver duos in the league. Newly acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor would have plenty of weapons around him, as Hue Jackson and the rest of his staff groom the potential No. 1 pick.

If the Browns could pull off a Beckham trade, it would safe to assume that Browns may be relevant again with Taylor, Hyde, Landry and Beckham leading the Cleveland offense.

3.) Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is a team that seems to always need a weapon on outside. Even with the addition of Michael Crabtree, the Ravens could greatly use someone with the talent of Beckham. Baltimore ranked 29th in the league in passing and their playoff hopes were derailed by their less than stellar offense.

Joe Flacco has never had a receiver with the talent level of Beckham. Adding Beckham to Baltimore would immediately put the Ravens in contention in the AFC. Salary cap troubles would make this move tough, but Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has knack for pulling off smart moves.

4.) San Francisco 49ers

The dark horse for Beckham in my opinion is San Francisco. With $36.5 million in cap space, the 49ers could definitely pull this move off. San Francisco has solid receivers in Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon, but neither of those are of the talent level of Beckham.

Pairing Beckham with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo would be deadly combination for years to come. The 49ers seem one of the teams on pace to make a big jump next season and adding Beckham would only escalate that process.

With the ninth pick in the draft, San Francisco could offer that pick along with other capital in order to facilitate a trade for the star receiver. The 49ers could make their way into playoff conversation with the potential addition of Odell Beckham Jr.

Camden Tofil is a freshman majoring in advertising. To contact him, email camdentofil@gmail.com.