Could Odell Beckham be a realistic option for the Cleveland Browns?

The Cleveland Browns could have an interest in Odell Beckham Jr.

The Cleveland Browns want a top-notch, over-the-top, number-one caliber receiver to help make their offense go. The era of the running back will probably come to an end in Cleveland, with many reports hinting at a severely reduced role in 2023 for Nick Chubb.

If those reports are true, Chubb may be outright traded, just to help facilitate the arrival of a top-flight receiver. The problem is, much like in baseball with the concept of a pitching ace, there are only so many actual number-one receivers. The odds of getting one aren’t great, and even when you get one, you have no idea how they’ll play in a new situation.

Whether it’s a new system, not liking the city they go to, issues with teammates, or just a decline in play. Getting a top-flight receiver isn’t easy. So should the Browns spend all off-season trying to get one of the very few guys out there? No, probably not.

Sure, there might be a guy or two that asks for a trade, but they may not be an ideal fit. There might also be former number one’s hoping to prove their merits, like DeAndre Hopkins or Adam Theilen. That may be more the Browns’ speed.

I can’t believe I’m the one saying this, but the Browns may want to look into Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns seem to agree with me, as they were one of the few teams to take a look at Beckham at his private workout earlier this week.

Odell Beckham Jr. may be a far more affordable option for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns and Beckham had a nasty divorce some 18-odd months ago. It was a divorce that was needed at the time. He didn’t fit the system at the time, nor did he get along with key members of the locker room.

The Browns are not the same team as they were in 2021. They’re moving to a different scheme, focusing more on passing. Leaving behind the running game and keeping guys to 10-12 carries per game (allegedly).

Less running means more passing attempts, which means more targets, which means more opportunity.

Now, like Amari Cooper, Beckham isn’t a number one anymore. But if you’re holding out on someone like Justin Jefferson or Cooper Kupp coming to town, don’t. You’re going to be disappointed.

What the Browns need isn’t so much one great receiver, but three or four pretty-good ones. They have two that kind of qualify. Cooper is a great number two option. He’ll get you stats but won’t take over games. Donovan Peoples-Jones is someone I’m not as high on as others but he’s arguably Andrew Berry’s best pick after round two.

If Beckahm could be as good as he was in Cleveland, not even New york, then he can significantly bolster the receiver position. The Browns really have no one after Cooper and Peoples-Jones. While many will say it’s too soon to give up on the receivers from the 2022 Draft Class, I say they haven’t shown me anything to warrant putting any faith in them.

Beckham doesn’t make the team contenders on his own but if his knee is healthy, he could make the team better to some degree. Granted, had the rumor of the Browns getting away from the run not come out, I wouldn’t be suggesting Beckham.

But with the state of the team and where it’s heading into 2023, we gotta get weird with some of our suggestions and this one is pretty weird.