Three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham will make his Miami debut in Week 5, but it might not be long before the Dolphins trade him. Entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations, seemingly everything that could go wrong for Miami, has gone wrong. After narrowly beating a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars team, the Dolphins lost starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa late in a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. Now with Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley leading the way, the Dolphins enter Week 5 with a 1-3 record and arguably the worst offense in football.
Their ineptitude will face the ultimate test when the Dolphins face off against the New England Patriots. New England started the season on a high note, upsetting the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 and narrowly losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. Unfortunately, the wheels quickly came off the wagon, as the Patriots suffered humiliating losses in Weeks 3 and 4. If the Dolphins can’t beat the Patriots, then it’s time for them to give up on the season and look toward 2025. This likely means an Odell Beckham trade, as several contenders should be interested in the veteran.
Dolphins Could Trade Odell Beckham to Chiefs, Ravens, Saints If They Lose to Patriots
Let’s start with the obvious: Odell Beckham is not the top trade candidate on anyone’s board. Contending teams in the wide receiver market are likely looking at guys like Davante Adams, Amari Cooper, and maybe even Cooper Kupp. However, there are only so many wide receivers to go around, and Beckham could be a fine consolation prize for any team unable to score a top-shelf wide receiver. After a slow start last year, the veteran finished his lone season in Baltimore with 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns. He’s not the player he once was, but he can still be effective in the right role.
Perhaps the most likely fit is the Baltimore Ravens. As mentioned above, Beckham spent the 2023 season in Baltimore and put together some impressive film in the back half of the year. Despite the strong play, the cash-strapped Ravens couldn’t afford to bring him back as a free agent and hoped former first-round pick Rashod Bateman could step up. So far, that hasn’t happened, as Baltimore is still looking for an ideal complement to 2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers. Beckham knows the offense and has an established rapport with quarterback Lamar Jackson, so he should be able to contribute immediately. With Miami on the hook for his signing bonus, the Ravens should have the financial freedom to bring him back for one more run.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are monitoring the wide receiver trade market following the Rashee Rice injury. While they are reportedly in the mix for Davante Adams, it’s hard to imagine the Las Vegas Raiders trading a star player like him to a division rival. If they can’t land him or Amari Cooper, then Kansas City could pivot to a cheaper trade target like Odell Beckham. With first-round rookie Xavier Worthy providing the big plays, the Chiefs need someone who can reliably get open and move the chains. At this point in his career, Beckham is perfect for that role.
Last but certainly not least are the New Orleans Saints. Despite their 2-2 record, the Saints are playing like one of the best teams in football and are one or two unlucky breaks away from being 4-0. Derek Carr is playing the best football of his career, and while the offensive line is a concern, they could mitigate the issue with an Odell Beckham trade. Beckham can still quickly get open off the line of scrimmage, making him an ideal short-yardage option and checkdown threat for when protection breaks down.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
