Odell Beckham trade update: Giants want two first-round picks
By Joe Romano
The rumors surrounding the New York Giants and their star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are swirling. A new piece of information surfaced Wednesday.
An extremely rough 2017 season led to whole sale changes for the New York Giants. Owner John Mara brought in former Panthers general manager David Gettleman to run the organization. Former Vikings’ offensive coordinator Pat Schurmur was named head coach shortly after the season.
With changes that drastic, the team is in for a shake-up. In New York no shake-up would be bigger than trading star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. It has been reported that Beckham is threatening to sit out until a he gets a new contract. That opened up the idea that the team may trade him. Gettleman stated that “no one is untouchable”. Across the NFL landscape that was seen as a reference to Beckham.
Wednesday ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Giants are asking for at least two first-round picks for the star receiver.
Giants have asked for at least two first-round picks in return for Odell Beckham Jr., a league source tells ESPN, even though team insists it is not shopping him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 28, 2018
Doesn’t mean they get it, or close to it, or even trade OBJ. But they have asked for at least two first-round picks.
This comes after reports surfaced that the Los Angeles Rams were interested in Beckham. Schefter also reported that the Rams were willing to part with their 2018 first round pick. It is yet to be seen if they’ll throw 2019 in as well.
Both the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns own multiple first round picks in this draft. Other teams would have to dip into their 2019 draft capital to execute a deal. It would be a shock if either team pulled the trigger in a Beckham deal.
What would a team get with Odell Beckham Jr.?
There will be plenty of interest in the 25 year old All Pro. However, some teams may have pause in parting with valuable assets in a trade. Beckham is on the last year of his rookie deal and has a $7.5 million cap hit. He is also threatening to hold out until he gets a new deal. Any team that trades for him would also need to pay him. He is reportedly asking to be the highest paid player in the entire league.
There is also concern that Beckham is coming off a season ending injury. The Giants wide receiver fractured his ankle at the beginning of last season and only appeared in four games.
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Contract and injury concerns aside, Beckham has been in the limelight for off the field issues as well. A video recently came to light of him in a troubling situation. There has been no comment by the league or team on this incident as of now. He has also been fined 11 times by the league since entering the NFL in 2014.
This saga will likely continue through the draft and the offseason. The Giants could pay Beckham and end this whole issue. New York has a long off-season ahead, these rumors are not going anywhere any time soon.