Since last season, there have been multiple rumors spread mainly around WR Odell Beckham Jr. Luckily for us, those rumors came to a head. Odell Beckham Jr. has been traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns’ 2019 first round pick (No. 17), third round pick, and DB Jabril Peppers. Of everything that’s happened during this offseason, this might just be the biggest move of them all. Why?
A Huge Acquisition
Fans, media, and everyone in between recognize how big of an acquisition this is for the Browns. Odell Beckham Jr. has been a stud since he stepped on the field. Excluding his fractured ankle injury which kept him out for most of the 2017 season, Odell has averaged 91 receptions, 1,294 yards, and 10 touchdowns across the remaining four seasons.
Throughout his time in the NFL, Odell has been a bonafide top-five receiver, and these stats are a true reflection of that. As I alluded to in my Antonio Brown to the Raiders article, Odell is another player who can take on any defensive back and run any route. In regards to his hands, everyone already knows how that goes for him. One-handed grabs, toe drags, and over-the-shoulder snags, Odell is a player that can get it done for you.
A New Cleveland Big Three?
The Browns traded for one of the best receivers in the game. But, as much as Odell is going to be talked about, it can’t go unnoticed as to the plethora of weapons Cleveland now has.
Browns GM John Dorsey has built a team that may be primed for a deep run come the new season. Odell will be joining 2018 #1 overall pick QB, Baker Mayfield. In his first season as a Brown, Mayfield racked up the most passing yards (3,725), yards per game (266.1), touchdowns (27) among all rookie quarterbacks.
In addition, he also had the highest QBR (93.7) and brought the Browns from a winless season in 2017 to a 7-8-1 season just a year later. Baker has proved to be the best quarterback in his draft class, and per the eye test, a star in the making. Putting him alongside two young stars give both him and the Browns a recipe for success.
Jarvis Landry X Odell Beckham Jr
Along with Mayfield comes last season’s #1 target, WR Jarvis Landry. The 1-2 combo of Odell and Landry goes back to their college ball days at LSU. Along with being a reliable receiver, Landry has proven he can be one of the top wideouts in the league, as shown with his first years with the Miami Dolphins.
Landry notched himself 976 receiving yards and four touchdowns this past season, his first with the Browns. He’s already been a reliable option at the WR1 for Cleveland, but now that Odell has been thrown into the mix, having him at the WR2 will cause even more problems for opposing defenses.
The Mayfield-Landry-Odell big three already sounds scary on paper. It might just be the “best big 3 Cleveland has ever seen.” This group of teammates is as good on paper as any “QB-WR” big three in the league.
Even with that killer receiver combo, the Browns also return young and promising TE David Njoku who gives Baker Mayfield another weapon that he can work with in addition to the two previously mentioned stars.
The Odell Effect
It’s safe to say that Odell hasn’t really had the quarterback he’s needed to fully showcase his talent. Giants QB Eli Manning is no exception. With a young quarterback, a fresh new coaching relationship, and a new city, Odell is due to have a big season with Cleveland. No Browns receiver had more touchdowns or yards than Odell did last season. Along with the fact that they’re gaining a star. The Browns are gaining a player that they know can make plays all over the field.
It’s safe to say that he’s had his issues in the past but nothing that the Browns should be concerned about. His impact on the team’s success will be rather large and that includes everything from putting points on the board, to creating masterful celebrations.
Building Around This Trade
Backing away from the depth at the receiver position, the Browns have been busy this offseason as it stands. Along with the previously mentioned stars, the Browns also have the running back tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Although Hunt will likely be suspended at the beginning of the season, his talent is special, and he’s a player that can only be described as a game-changer. Nick Chubb, despite getting not many carries, made the most of his opportunities this past season.
On the defensive side of the ball is where the Browns have been the busiest.
John Dorsey has brought in LB Oliver Vernon and DT Sheldon Richardson, adding them to Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, and Denzel Ward. That’s an average age of 25 for this young defensive core who Cleveland fans still can expect to be one of the league’s best.
The Browns came into the off-season as one of the teams with more money to spend. They’ve clearly taken advantage of that, and although their cap space is slowly declining, I fully expect John Dorsey to build off of the success of this trade. By the time the preseason rolls around, the Browns may just have an AFC-favorite roster. That includes one of the overall best offensive units in the entire league.
What Now?
The Browns are one of the top teams in the NFL as well as the top team in the AFC North. This trade has made the Browns a scary, scary team to be messing with. Considering all of the drama and losses by the other teams in the AFC North, the Browns seem like a team that have played their cards the best. Beckham Jr, Mayfield, Landry, Chubb, Hunt, Njoku, Garrett, Vernon, Richardson, Ward, and Ogunjobi. John Dorsey has exceeded expectations, and we all know for a fact that he’s not done.
As for Odell, he’ll boost his play up now that he finally has been dealt away from the toxic relationship he had with his former coach Pat Shurmur. Playing alongside a tolerable quarterback, his former college teammate, and a young and promising team, expect this trade to benefit Odell more than anything.
Was this the right move for the Browns? How will Odell perform in the 2019 season?