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NFL trade rumors: Would Giants consider dealing Odell Beckham Jr.? – Metro US

NFL trade rumors: Would Giants consider dealing Odell Beckham Jr.?

Odell Beckham Jr., Olivier Vernon at Giants facilities ahead of minicamp

The headline above is cause for scoffing, finding the author of this piece and verbally abusing him. 

But before New York Giants fans light up those torches and sharpen those pitchforks, take off the blue glasses and think about it for a moment. 

Obviously, this is nothing more than speculation at the moment, but seeing Odell Beckham Jr.’s name on the trade market this offseason might not be completely out of the realm of possibility. 

There’s no denying that when healthy, Beckham is one of the most explosive wide receivers in the NFL, recording over 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns over his first three seasons. But there have been headaches in the form of behavioral issues whether it was his melee with Josh Norman, his run-in with a kicking net and of course, a boat trip prior to the NFC Wild Card Game against the Green Bay Packers. 

Injuries have also been an issue, especially last season as he appeared in only four games due to a fractured ankle, the same one he sprained during the preseason. 

The 25-year-old recently raised some eyebrows when a fan implored him not to play during the preseason to which he replied “0,” as in the number of snaps he would take. 

Beckham was quick to recant the tweet, stating that “people take things a little too serious sometimes… quick to write a story, but hey anything for a couple of likes in this world. Lol it’s so sad that’s the world we live in. Wonder if we’ll ever change!?”

We might be quick to write this kind of story, but it’s important to point out all the avenues the Giants could possibly take to when it comes to Beckham’s future. 

On Wednesday, new Giants head coach Pat Shurmur pointed out that Beckham has been “making great progress” in his rehab from that ankle injury, though it is unclear if he’ll be ready for training camp just yet. Alluding back to that tweet in which he’d play zero snaps, Beckham could have simply meant that he is making his health a priority and wants to be 100-percent for the regular season.

One can’t blame Beckham for wishing to do that considering the severity of the injury he suffered. 

However, there is the looming matter of his contract status that could play a factor in whether Beckham would suit up or not. The LSU product is signed through the 2018 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent and has made it clear that he wants a new deal as soon as possible. 

After all, he’s one of the biggest bargains in the league as he’s slated to make just $8.4 million in 2018. That’s already a hefty increase from the combined $4 million he made during his first three years in the league. The problem is the Giants have only about $24 million in cap space this offseason and also might want to extend the contract of standout defensive back Landon Collins, whose contract expires after the 2018 season also. 

Should Beckham and new general manager Dave Gettleman not get a contract done in a timely enough manner, the star receiver’s zero-preseason-snap tweet might come to fruition in the form of a holdout. 

Would that be the last straw for John Mara and Steve Tisch? It’s doubtful given just how talented of a receiver Beckham is. But if he begins to negatively affect the Giants locker room as they attempt to turn around a disastrous 3-13 2017 campaign, management might look to deal Beckham for a sizeable return of skill players or high draft picks to help spark a quick rebuild. 

If the Cleveland Browns called up the Giants and offered them a package including the No. 1 and No. 4 picks for Beckham, possibly giving New York three of the first four selections of the 2018 NFL draft, that’s a hefty return that could help the team address other areas of need to get back into contention quicker.

The Browns aren’t in love with any of the top quarterback prospects and could to use that top pick as leverage to coup an already-established star. Once again, this is all hypothetically speaking, of course.

Dealing one of the league’s best wide receivers wouldn’t be the wisest move, to say the least, but the Giants haven’t necessarily been lighting up the win column with Beckham lining up alongside Eli Manning. Even taking out his lost 2017 season, the Giants were just 23-25 over Beckham’s first three years in the league with one playoff appearances.

There is a microcosm of a chance that the possibility of dealing Beckham would even be a thought in the minds of any members of Giants management. At the end of the day, he is a generational talent that will likely go down as one of the greatest receivers in franchise history.

At the end of the day, though, it’s important to consider all possible options.