Odell Beckham had one of the brightest beginnings for a wide receiver career in NFL history, with three consecutive seasons of at least 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns. Several years and injuries after that, though, he’s a different player.
Last season, Odell signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens to help Lamar Jackson. He ended up with 565 yards and three TDs, which is not bad, but not exactly what a team expects when they pay that amount of money to an offensive weapon.
This is probably the reason why Odell is still a free agent. According to A to Z Sports’ contract projection, calculated by Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio, the wide receiver was expected to get a one-year, $10 million deal. That is less than what he got in 2023, but stil a significant price tag.
Right now, Odell is a tertiary offensive option for a good offense — or at most a secondary option for a mediocre unit. With that in mind, when Odell is willing to take less money, he will be able to find a suitor.
And these are five ideal landing spots for what Odell is now as a player.
Baltimore Ravens
Yes, the Ravens allowed Beckham to walk away, but for a different market reality, he could still make sense for the roster. Baltimore has Zay Flowers, Nelson Agholor, and Rashod Bateman, and the team also drafted Devontez Walker, but Odell could still be a complementary piece. He knows the players, knows the system, and the environment. It’s just a matter of price.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs signed Marquise Brown and drafted Xavier Worthy in the first round, but the uncertainty around Rashee Rice’s situation creates more layers to the Super Bowl defending champions’ circumstances. For Beckham, it would be a unique opportunity to fight for his first ring.
Odell is not as explosive as he was to start his career, but he is an extremely smart receiver, which would fit well with how Patrick Mahomes works. And every teammate loves Beckham, so he would be a valuable locker room addition.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills drafted Keon Coleman early in the draft and signed some free agent options, but the receiving group is still underwhelming after the team traded Stefon Diggs and lost Gabe Davis in free agency.
General manager Brandon Beane is probably trying to move to a younger group, which would make things difficult to fit Odell, but he is the perfect name to give the room stability on and off the field.
Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown is a star and got paid, but he’s mostly a slot receiver. The Lions still need outside options, and Jameson Williams hasn’t shown what the Lions expected from him. Beckham is older, but he is still much more productive than players like Donovan Peoples-Jones, Kalif Raymond, and Tre’Quan Smith.
Brad Holmes has been willing to be aggressive, and that could certainly elevate the environment for Jared Goff to keep producing at a high level.
New York Jets
Last year, Odell was ready to sign with the Jets until the Ravens appeared with a bigger offer. Since then, Joe Douglas signed Mike Williams and drafted Malachi Corley, but Beckham brings a different skill set. Moreover, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a long track record of prioritizing veterans over rookies, and with Allen Lazard not playing as expected, it makes sense to give Rodgers one extra veteran option while Corley learns the offense and develops into the NFL.