COMMENTARY: Jets Should Say NO-DELL to Former Giants' First-Round Draft Pick
The money can be better spent elsewhere.
Free agent receiver Odell Beckham’s asking price has reportedly dropped to around $15 million per year according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Sure, Beckham has performed at an elite level in the NFL when fully healthy, but, realistically, the 30-year old is closer to the end of his playing days than the beginning.
Then, there’s the fact that Beckham is working his way back from a second ACL tear and he hasn’t seen game action since suffering injury in Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022.
He last played a full NFL season as a Cleveland Brown in 2019, which also marked the last time he has produced a 1,000-yard receiving campaign.
Beckham has compiled impressive career numbers, but availability has been a constant concern for the 5-foot-10 receiver.
The three-time Pro Bowler, who was drafted by the New York Giants at No. 12 overall in 2014, has made 531 receptions for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns in 96 career regular season appearances.
Only twice, however, has Beckham played 16 games in a season.
Beckham appeared to be in prime form during the Los Angeles Rams’ 2021 campaign, but it ended with the second devastating knee injury of his NFL career.
WR Odell Beckham (3) makes a reception in Super Bowl LVI
Sam Greene / USA TODAY NETWORK
The proud LSU product made multiple catches in all four of the Rams’ postseason games en-route to securing the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Prior to leaving the game due to the ACL injury, Beckham made two receptions for 52 yards and one touchdown in Super Bowl LVI.
There’s no guarantee that Beckham will instantly return to his prior form, and, even if he did, do the Jets really need his production at such a steep price tag?
Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson’s 2022 campaign was better statistically than anything Beckham has done since 2016.
Not to mention that the Jets gave Allen Lazard a reported four-year, $44 million contract to be the team’s WR2.
Factor speed receiver Mecole Hardman’s signing into the mix and the Jets added two accomplished pass-catchers at a combined $17.5 average annual value. That estimated price is only a shade above what Beckham is asking for his services in 2023.
When considering the possibility of bringing Beckham aboard, every NFL general manager must worry about his possible effect on the team’s “locker room” environment. While he’s consistently showed game-breaking, on-field ability during his career, there has also been a propensity for drama.
Just ask our Giants Country friends about Beckham in the Big Apple.
To put it mildly, his flamboyant personality didn’t exactly work well for him during his time as a New York Giant.
His next contract should contain a clause prohibiting any in-season photos taken on a boat.
Putting aside his incredible talent and sometimes seemingly overbearing personality, there is a financial reality for the Jets when it comes to Beckham.
The Jets aren’t flush with salary cap space, and, according to real-time numbers from Spotrac, they will need to make more room to accommodate Aaron Rodger’s salary along with the money due to the team’s draft picks.
With limited money to spend, Gang Green needs to address real holes on the roster like the ones at defensive tackle and center. Jets’ brass would be silly to throw more money at an already-revamped receivers’ room.
Not only don’t the Jets need Odell Beckham, they can’t afford him in more ways than one.
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