For the second time in six months, Odell Beckham Jr. is a free agent. Ranked as the 20th-best player available on PFN’s Top 75 Free Agents list in 2022 free agency, Beckham should have plenty of suitors. However, with character concerns in his background, and coming off a knee injury suffered in the Super Bowl, we could see the market play out slowly. Let’s take a look at what Beckham’s free agent market could look like, some predictions, and where his potential landing spots might be.
Predictions for free agent Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham’s 2021 season is viewed as a tale of two halves. However, outside of the touchdown discrepancy (5 to 0), the numbers are strikingly similar.
Beckham averaged 38.7 yards receiving per game with Cleveland and 38.1 yards per game in Los Angeles. His 50% catch rate with the Browns only rose to 56.3% with the Rams.
Yet, it was the playoffs where Beckham “made his money” this offseason. In three and a half games, Beckham caught 80.8% of his passes for 72 yards per game and scored 2 touchdowns.
If teams are swayed by his playoff numbers, he could push his way close to the list of highest-paid wide receivers. However, his knee injury, career catch rate, and regular-season numbers from 2021 could see Beckham come in closer to Spotrac’s projected market value of $13.1 million per year on a two-year deal.
Beckham’s best landing spots
Almost every team in the NFL has a need for a wide receiver in some form or another. However, Beckham is an interesting case because of the salary he could command and the perceived character concerns. Therefore, we could see only certain situations willing to take the chance on a clearly talented player, but one coming off a major injury right at the very end of the 2021 season.
Arizona Cardinals
With Christian Kirk and A.J. Green heading for free agency in 2022, the Cardinals could be in the market for a wide receiver. Currently left on the roster are DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, and Andy Isabella, the latter of whom is reportedly looking for a trade. We saw last offseason that even with Kirk and Hopkins, the Cardinals still wanted firepower and added Green.
Therefore, this would make for an intriguing landing spot for Beckham as a free agent. Cap space and other pressing needs may be the main sticking point. However, with 2022 set to potentially be a pivotal one for the futures of Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray, they may decide an addition at WR is the best way to make a statement on the field.
Kansas City Chiefs
This one will also take some work when it comes to cap space. Nevertheless, the Chiefs appear very much in the market for a new receiving option. In Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, they have a fantastic duo, but the offense seems to be missing that solid No. 3 option.
Beckham could fill that role. But his sub-60% catch rate should set alarm bells ringing given that the role would be to provide a consistent, trusted outlet for Mahomes. That could be enough to keep the Chiefs rolling with Mecole Hardman or looking for a veteran option elsewhere in free agency.
Las Vegas Raiders
Beckham in Las Vegas seems like a perfect fit. In Bryan Edwards, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow, this receiving group has several boxes ticked. However, Beckham could be that X-factor to round out the group.
Beckham previously said he would have been interested in heading to New England if Tom Brady had still been there last season. Maybe Derek Carr is good enough to make Beckham willing to join up with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas.
Miami Dolphins
Beckham in Miami seems to fit for many reasons — one being that his namesake owns the MLS team in Miami. However, from an on-field perspective, this could be a match made in heaven. When you watch Tua Tagovailoa, he values players who can get open and create space. We saw Beckham do that numerous times during the playoffs last season.
Miami offers the intriguing combination of a team that is in a position to challenge and has the salary cap space to pay a little over the top. That could be music to the ears of Beckham who is coming off a second major knee injury and may know his career does not have much left. The only slight concern here is putting a strong personality like Beckham in a locker room with a young QB and a rookie head coach. He could flourish in that environment, but the warning signs are there that it might not be a good idea.
New England Patriots
The Patriots will likely make a run at a number of wide receivers this offseason. It would be silly if they did not give Beckham at least a look. However, the reports that Beckham would have considered the Patriots if Brady was there could make this a non-starter. It’s tough to bring in a receiver who is quoted with a statement insinuating the QB you currently have is not a plus point.
Of course, these situations can be smoothed out. The Patriot Way is often to ignore those flags and make it work through their culture. If Beckham believes he can win in New England and Mac Jones believes Beckham can help him win, then we could see both sides rise above those comments.