October 11, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns broad receiver Odell Beckham Jr., 13, wears the name Breonna Taylor on his helmet prior to the Cleveland Browns-Indianapolis Colts game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Browns star Odell Beckham Jr. has been at the center of NFL rumors and trade speculation for years. With the start of another off-season, the former All-Pro recipient was able to throw his name around again in trade rumors.
Things haven’t worked out well for the playmaking receiver since the Browns acquired OBJ. Cleveland traded Jabrill Peppers, Kevin Zeitler, along with selections for first and third rounds in the 2019 NFL Draft, in hopes that a change of scene would help him rediscover his all-pro form. Instead, it was two years of disappointment.
Eliminated after consecutive seasons devastated by injury while the Browns emerged as NFL competitors, Beckham Jr. was soon able to hear his name again in trade rumors.
NFL Rumors: Will The Browns Deal With Odell Beckham Jr. This Off-Season?
Mary Kay Cabot from Cleveland.com wrote about the current situation in Cleveland. While the organization still believes in Odell Beckham Jr., one of the team’s key Beat reporters suggested that the Browns might consider trading him this off-season.
NFL Rumors: Cleveland Brown’s WR Odell Beckham Jr. Status for the 2021 Season
The reasoning goes beyond the violations of OBJ. While the browns are estimated to be $ 18 million There are many steps to be taken below the 2021 NFL salary cap. Cleveland needs to find hitting talent in linebackers and add pass rushers, moves that require spending. Additionally, Baker Mayfield is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal and is likely to look for a lucrative extension after helping this team win their first playoff game in decades.
Trading Beckham Jr. this off-season would create a cap of $ 15 million. That’s the kind of money the front office could use for a top pass rusher in the free agency, or it could be used to sign a # 2 cornerback to upgrade the secondary.
Cleveland’s offense went well without the # 1 recipient. After saying goodbye on Week 9, the extra time to correct the offense after OBJ tore up his ACL, this team improved. The Browns averaged 245.6 yards per game and Baker Mayfield had a quarterback rating of 98.7 over that distance and a TD / INT ratio of 20/2 without his favorite weapon.
NFL Rumors: 5 Most Likely Trading Scenarios From Odell Beckham Jr ..
In the off-season, Beckham Jr. will work on rehabilitating his knee to get back in shape. But the 28-year-old recorded just 319 yards and three touchdowns in six games before leaving early in Week 7.
This is the same recipient who planned retirement in 2017 and played the entire 2019 season with a significant groin injury.
The Browns may still believe that Odell Beckham Jr. can still be a high-end # 1 receiver, but he hasn’t shown that in several years. Given all of the other needs on the roster and the club’s limited resources to address them, a trade could ultimately be in everyone’s best interests.
