NFL

Is Odell Beckham Jr. being wasted in Cleveland?

Oct 18, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) gestures on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Odell Beckham announced himself in the NFL during his rookie season. With arguably the greatest touchdown reception of all time against the Dallas Cowboys. Since then, Beckham has become one of the most productive and popular players in the league. Becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach both 200 career receptions and 4000 career receiving yards in 2016, just his third season in the league. However, in 2019 Odell was traded to the Cleveland Browns, and his career has stalled in the process.

Beckham’s 2020 season was ended by an ACL tear just seven games in. The stats show that Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield immediately starting playing better when Odell went down. Mayfield threw 11 touchdowns and just 1 interception following Beckham’s injury, compared to 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with Beckham Jr in the lineup. However, Mayfield put his late-season surge down to a growing comfort with head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense.

In his two seasons in Cleveland, Odell has managed just seven touchdowns compared to nine in his final two seasons with the Giants, achieved despite playing seven fewer games. He also had more receptions and receiving yards. The main reason? Odell was the first option in New York. Eli Manning wanted to find Beckham Jr with the football because he is one of the most gifted wide-receivers of all time. This is not the case in Cleveland.

What has gone wrong for Odell Beckham Jr in Cleveland

The Browns have built their offense around running back Nick Chubb. Since the 2019 season, Chubb has had 488 rush attempts, which has produced 2,561 yards & 20 touchdowns. Compare that to the team’s two main receivers in that time, Jarvis Landry & Odell Beckham Jr, who combined for 252 total receptions, 3,368 yards of offense, and just 16 touchdowns.

Simply put, Cleveland is yet to figure out how to implement Odell Beckham Jr into their offense. The three-time pro bowler is a commanding presence on the field, and when he is on your team, you have to design plays to get him the ball. However, we have seen the offense force plays to find Odell as much as anything so far. Baker Mayfield throwing more interceptions than touchdowns when targeting Odell.

In fact, since the 2019 trade that sent Odell to Cleveland. Mayfield and OBJ have the worst completion rate (55.6%) of any quarterback-receiver duo.

Jan 17, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) moves out to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, Odell has some work to do to make himself a better fit for the Cleveland Browns. But he can’t just be a by standard either. Since entering the league in 2014, Odell has the 2nd most touchdown receptions (38). 7th most receiving yards (4,535), and sits 3rd in receiving yards per game (94.5). He is as talented as any wide receiver currently playing in the National Football League. Kevin Stefanski has shown that receivers can flourish in his offense. Look at Stefon Diggs & Adam Thielen in 2019 with Minnesota(Offensive coordinator-Kevin Stefanski). It’s now time for the two to come together and figure out how Odell can flourish in Stefanski’s offense.

Beckham Jr is still recovering after tearing his ACL in October. He has said the knee ‘is feeling great,’ but he would not commit to giving a return date after returning too early from previous injuries. While Baker Mayfield, who is entering the season for the very first time in his career with the same head coach and offensive coordinator he had the previous year, has said he and Beckham have made “huge strides” in their chemistry ahead of the new season. Adding that, there is plenty of reason to be confident that the duo’s third year together will be the season they finally take off.

Year 1, we were definitely just trying to get used to each other last year. Last year, didn’t have a full season by any means because of the injury. This year, I think we’ve had our backs up against the wall, the two of us together, I think we can relate a lot on those types of things. But having success is always sweeter when it’s not just handed to you. It’s not the easy road when you hit adversity and you have to battle through it

Baker Mayfield on his relationship with Odell Beckham Jr

The Browns made their first playoff appearance since 2002 without Odell last season. Beating the Steelers before going down to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Odell Beckham is the x-factor that can produce the plays to take the Browns above teams like the Chiefs in the AFC. If they want to return to the playoffs next season and beyond, they need to stop wasting Odell’s talent!

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