Odell Beckham Jr. is now 30 years old and is coming off a lost year, but he signed a one-year prove-it deal this offseason (one that includes a handful of statistical elevators) as new Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken looks to open up this offense.
Behind in research? Get a trade offer in your dynasty or redraft league? Not sure who to start or sit this week? Leverage PFN’s FREE fantasy tools — our Fantasy Football Draft Kit, Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer and Calculator, and Start/Sit Optimizer! Put the finishing touch on your A+ draft with 1 of our 425+ fantasy football team names.
Odell Beckham Jr.’s Fantasy Outlook
With Monken now calling the shots and QB Lamar Jackson presumably at full health, expectations are high in Baltimore.
Mark Andrews is going to continue to be the primary pass catcher, but, along with Beckham, Zay Flowers (a 2023 first-round pick) was brought in to give this offense a higher ceiling than it’s had years past.
The depth at pass catcher in this offense is something to watch. Second-year tight end Isaiah Likely popped when given the chance as a rookie, Rashod Bateman can make big plays, and the addition of another veteran in Nelson Agholor could pay dividends.
If Jackson is the threat to win the MVP that I think he is, it’s more likely than not that at least one receiver works his way into the weekly fantasy football Flex discussion, and Beckham certainly has a shot to be that guy.
Is Beckham the Favorite To Be the WR1 in Baltimore?
For me, Flowers should be labeled “the favorite” in the race for targets in this receiver room. He projects as a slot target that can be dangerous in space from Day 1, a skill set that I’m not comfortable assuming Beckham has at this stage in his career.
That said, Flowers is a rookie who will likely go through ups and downs.
As impressive as Bateman can be (remember 13 months ago, when his first six catches of 2022 netted 167 yards and two touchdowns?), the fact that he has missed 16 games across his two seasons has me skittish about going down that road again.
So, no, OBJ isn’t the favorite to be one of the focal points of this potentially potent passing game, but he’s in the mix. And we know what he’s capable of when he’s locked in. All three of these receivers are being drafted within 15 picks of one another, ADPs that require you to take a stand on your favorite come draft day.
Should Fantasy Managers Draft Beckham at His ADP?
I prefer Flowers at a similar Round 9—Round 10 ADP, and I feel reasonably good about it. I think the rookie offers a ceiling that is comparable to Beckham, and he comes without the risk that you inherently take in rostering a player who is coming off of a missed season.
This asking price is just about right. In the round before, you’re looking at receivers like Elijah and Skyy Moore, options who I think offer superior upside. In the round after, you’re looking at Tyler Boyd and Darnell Mooney, receivers who I am in no hurry to draft.
Much like the Kansas City Chiefs’ WR situation, if you want to double down and take two Ravens wideouts, I’m good with it. At this point in the draft, you’re not committing to starting your Raven(s) on a consistent basis, so the risk analysis works in your favor.
I’m on board with getting a piece of this offense, and the WR room is a cost-efficient way to do that.