By averaging 16.1 yards per catch this season, Odell Beckham Jr. showed fantasy football managers that he still has some gas left in the tank. The veteran will be seeking a short deal this offseason, and there are more than a few offenses that could use his skill set.
Where should fantasy managers be pulling for him to sign, and what is his outlook for the teams that figure to come calling?
Potential Landing Spots for Odell Beckham Jr.
New York Jets
How aggressive the Jets will be loading up this offense for Aaron Rodgers remains to be seen, but after a dud season from Allen Lazard (I understand that the QB play was prohibitive, but 23 catches on 49 targets in 14 games with five drops is downright unacceptable), the question around New York’s WR2 needs to be addressed.
Rodgers throws a pretty deep ball, but the aging star needs help down the field, and a player like Beckham can complement the budding star that is Garrett Wilson. When throwing down the field …
- Rodgers, 2018-21: 41.5% complete, 1.0% interception rate
- Rodgers, 2022: 38.5% complete, 4.1% interception rate
If the Jets truly think that they are in a position to challenge for the AFC East crown with a healthy Rodgers, adding an experienced receiver like OBJ makes plenty of sense. Should this happen, I’d be looking at Beckham as a reasonable Flex play, but as one that is likely to have peaks and valleys throughout the season.
Kansas City Chiefs
There is no denying that the Chiefs will be in the market for some help this offseason.
Wild stat from @KeeganAbdoo at @NextGenStats: Patrick Mahomes lost 363 expected yards to drops this season.
No other QB lost over 300.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) January 17, 2024
As a team that is positioned to win now, why wouldn’t they at least bring in OBJ for a workout and go from there? They have a limited investment in Mecole Hardman and are saddled with another season of Marquez Valdes-Scantling, but a short-term Beckham deal is likely to be discussed as they look for a piece to put them over the top.
The veteran dropped just one of his 64 targets during the regular season (1.6%, his lowest drop rate since leaving New York), and the potential to turn an average play into a game-changing one is clearly what the Chiefs have been looking for to complement Travis Kelce (and now Rashee Rice).
MORE: Dynasty Consensus Rankings
Kansas City is going to come up in every conversation regarding free-agent receivers, and Beckham is no exception. I’m not confident the 31-year-old can handle high-end volume anymore, but in the right setting like Kansas City, he can find himself as a part of the weekly Flex/DFS conversation.
New York Giants
Could a return to where it all started happen? The Giants had the fifth-fewest receiving yards among WRs in 2023 and could use a proven commodity like Beckham in a room full of younger options.
I don’t think this is a likely destination given that New York is not in a position to compete (with or without Beckham), but the history and lack of options at the position at least puts them on the board. A reunion with the G-Men would have Beckham ranked outside of my top 40 at the position and relegate him to the “how lucky do you feel for a specific DFS slate” territory.
