For the third time in as many seasons, three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham is going to hit free agency. This time around, however, he should have a much larger market. After failing to sign anywhere in 2022 as he recovered from an ACL injury, Beckham signed a loaded one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. After a slow start to the season, the wideout came alive down the stretch and finished the year with a respectable 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets.
Odell Beckham will not be anyone’s top choice in free agency, but he’s a decent Tier 2/3 option who should receive decent interest on the open market. Recently, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spoke with reporters about the fate of the impending free agent.
“We just texted. He’s a great, great guy. I love Odell. He’s become a great friend of mine and a friend to the Ravens, and I think we’ll just kind of assess and see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
Eric DeCosta: “We’ll See What Happens” With Odell Beckham In Free Agency
It’s no surprise that the Ravens are letting the market dictate what happens with Odell Beckham in free agency. After compiling arguably the most talented roster in football, the Ravens are set to see a lot of key players depart in the coming weeks. Baltimore’s impending free agents include Justin Maudubike, Jadeveon Clowney, Patrick Queen, Kevin Zeitler, Geno Stone, John Simpson, and Kyle Van Noy.
Baltimore will not be able to afford to bring everyone back, especially when they’re looking to add a big-name running back into the mix. The Ravens will tag Madubuike and keep him around, but doing that means they might not have the money to re-sign Odell Beckham in free agency.
If the three-time Pro Bowler doesn’t have a big market, then perhaps the Ravens could talk him into coming back on a reasonable salary. However, these five teams might value Odell Beckham in free agency more than the Ravens do.
Best Team Fits
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are going for a three-peat, and adding Odell Beckham in free agency will improve their odds of pulling off the impossible feat. Kansas City’s wide receivers are easily the biggest weakness on the roster, as Rashee Rice is the only one who looks like he belongs on a football field. With Travis Kelce not getting any younger, this team could use a third option in the passing attack capable of getting open and making some plays on his own.
New York Jets
Aaron Rodgers is coming back, but he doesn’t have much to work with. While Garrett Wilson is a young star in the making, the rest of the depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. Allen Lazard was a free agent bust, and there isn’t anyone else of note on the roster. Odell Beckham spent the 2023 season as a reliable second option opposite Zay Flowers, and he can serve a similar role if the Jets sign him in free agency. Playing in a crowded AFC East, this team will need all the firepower it can get to keep up with the Bills and Dolphins.
Buffalo Bills
Speaking of the Bills, Josh Allen could use some help. Stefon Diggs looked like he was slowing down, Gabriel Davis is probably leaving in free agency, and Khalil Shakir is nothing more than a fine depth player. Odell Beckham is a good target in free agency for a cash-strapped team like the Bills, as his advanced age means he probably won’t break the bank on the open market.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are not going to be contenders in 2024, so Odell Beckham might not want to sign here in free agency. However, money talks, and if the Panthers are the highest bidders, Beckham could wind up in the NFC South. After all, nobody thought the Tennessee Titans were landing DeAndre Hopkins at this point last year. Just like the 2023 Titans, the Panthers desperately need to find someone capable of catching the ball and could overpay for a good-but-not-great veteran like Beckham.
New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas will not be back in 2024, which means the Saints need to find somebody to pair with former first-round pick Chris Olave. Odell Beckham is a good free agency choice for a Saints team that never believes in rebuilding but never has the financial assets to go after a top-market player like Mike Evans.
Main Photo: Tommy Gilligan – USA Today Sports
