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Silly? Laughable? Ridiculous? These words and more have been ammo to describe the trade rumors surrounding Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Football Giants.
But why? This should be the critical question of the offseason.
Talent is great and in OBJ's case, it's immense. When a man can take a simple slant to the house at any moment with vision that'd make Magic Johnson blush and agility that makes Barry Sanders cry, jaws-drop to the tune of league-spread envy.
In reality, talent isn't enough. Potential movement will always account for legitimate discussion when issues crop up breaking down the team environment time and again. Throw in an old-school head like Dave Gettleman and suddenly, a formula for a monumental transaction exists.
Thus far, two teams have emerged publicly as announcing interest through sources: the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Of course, others remain interested without having made it known. And, of course, some of the potential suitors would suddenly sport an all-world offense if Odell Beckham Jr. would be reeled in.
Here are the most realistic NFL landing spots for Odell Beckham Jr. should he actually be sent packing by the New York Giants.
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams have to kick this off. They're the club who crashed the OBJ-trade party first. Emerging with absolute interest in the top talent, pairing him with Cooper Kupp while providing young Jared Goff with a dynamic beast out wide is almost too much to dream.
First to report it was Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. OBJ, himself, is reported as telling at least two Rams players that he “wants in.”
What's not to want? It's L.A. It's sunshine. It's the other major market in this country and if the megastar that OBJ is wants to land on his feet big media-wise while leaving New York, the City of Angels is it.
Just think of the offensive possibilities here. Todd Gurley on the ground and Odell Beckham Jr. through the air. Not bad.
Possible Trade:
- Rams receive: Odell Beckham Jr.
- Giants receive: 2018 No. 23 pick, 2019 first-round pick, 2018 second-round pick
2. San Francisco 49ers
There are the San Francisco 49ers saying, “Don't forget about us.”
One name: Jimmy Garopollo. After making Jimmy G the highest paid quarterback in the history of the game (prior to the silly Kirk Cousins money in Minny), general manager John Lynch needs to snag him a top talent out wide.
If it ain't New York or Los Angeles, the Bay Area isn't a bad area to make a life.
The 49ers also still possess over $42 million in cap space—a nice starting point to negotiate a long-term deal with the organization that once employed the greatest wide receiver of all-time.
Possible Trade:
- 49ers receive: Odell Beckham Jr., 2018 fourth-round pick
- Giants receive: 2018 No. 9 pick, 2018 second-round pick, 2019 second-round pick, 2018 third-round pick
3. New England Patriots
Leave it to Bill Belichick to bring in the highly-emotional one and allow him to spread those emotional wings along with the legendary Tom Brady.
Should OBJ land with the Pats, as they say in New York, “Forget about it.”
Once the 2006 Pats lost to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC title game, Belichick quickly realized his salary strategy needed to be shuffled. Instead of paying his defense, it was time to adapt to the offensive NFL rules and bring in serious offensive talent for Brady. No longer could Ty Law mug wide receivers in the playoffs.
In came Randy Moss and Wes Welker and the rest was history. Both Brady and Moss broke single-season touchdown records and the Pats finished 18-0 prior to the Super Bowl shock of a lifetime.
How about OBJ with Brady? If anybody can put a halt to OBJ's off-field stuff, it's one of the Bills.
Possible Trade:
- Pats receive: Odell Beckham Jr., 2018 fifth-round pick
- Giants receive: 2018 No. 31 pick, WR Brandin Cooks, 2019 first-round pick, 2018 third-round pick
Brandon Cooks is on the final year of his deal with a cap hit of a little more than $8 million. Returning him to the Giants would alleviate some of the draft asset blow and make up for the late draft-round slot the Pats always seem to draft from.
4. Cleveland Browns
The Land—it's becoming a star-studded athlete hotspot. LeBron James, Jarvis Landry … Odell Beckham Jr.?
The Browns still own over $70 million in cap space, far and away the most in the league. Couple OBJ with his best friend, Jarvis Juice, and the first and fourth picks in the draft and suddenly, these Browns are for real.
Possible Trade:
- Browns receive: Odell Beckham Jr.
- Giants receive: 2018 No. 4 pick, WR Corey Coleman, 2019 second-round pick
In this scenario, the Giants would select second and fourth on the night of Thursday, April 26, 2018. Not bad.
5. Oakland Raiders
The final team and wild-card of the five is the team run by Chuckie, Jon Gruden.
I doubt Odell Beckham Jr. would mind playing for Derek Carr and opposite Amari Cooper. Furthermore, it's only Oakland for now. Soon, the Raiders could trade for the man, pay him and make the electric one the face of the franchise as they move to Las Vegas.
Sure, the team just signed Jordy Nelson, but don't think for one moment Nelson couldn't drop back to the third WR hole as the slot man, a place he's extremely comfortable. With over $21 million in cap space, a long-term OBJ deal can easily be had.
Possible Trade:
- Raiders receive: Odell Beckham Jr., 2018 third-round pick
- Giants receive: 2018 No. 10 pick, 2019 first-round pick, 2018 fourth-round pick
