Subscribe
Follow Us
The Cleveland Browns were linked to the Minnesota Vikings this week with regards to a possible trade involving star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. That doesn't seem to be accurate, and now a top Browns executive is further denying the rumor, via Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
#Browns Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta on the trade rumors involving Odell Beckham Jr. and the #Vikings: "It's completely false"
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) April 16, 2020
Beckham Jr., 27, was rumored to be heading to the NFC North franchise on Wednesday according to a sports talk-radio personality. Beyond that, the former New York Giants wideout was also reportedly disinterested in staying with the Browns amid trade talks.
The framework of a Beckham deal between the Browns and Vikings—only second- and fifth-round draft picks—was quickly shot down later that same day by a Minnesota sports radio host.
Beckham arrived in Cleveland just a year ago in March 2019 when the Giants, who selected the LSU standout with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, traded the former Offensive Rookie of the Year for first- and third-round picks in last year's draft class and safety Jabrill Peppers.
It's difficult to imagine the Browns trading Beckham, a college teammate of fellow Cleveland receiver Jarvis Landry, one year removed from acquiring the stud wideout. It's even more difficult to fathom Beckham getting dealt for just second- and fifth-round picks.
Beckham and Landry make up a dual–top option targets in the Browns' wide receivers corps for rising junior quarterback Baker Mayfield, the first overall pick of the 2018 draft. Suffice to say trading Beckham just one year later and likely hurting Mayfield's pass-catching options is not a big priority for Cleveland.
