2 Browns wide receivers who need to step up with Jarvis Landry on IR

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham appeared close to playing in Week 1, as he works his way back from a torn ACL in Week 7 last year, but he was ultimately inactive. Then heading into Week 2, head coach Kevin Stefanski declared him out on Wednesday.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Beckham has a “good chance” to play in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. If he does, he’ll likely be on a pitch count.

Beckham basically played six games (two snaps in Week 7) before being injured last season, with 23 receptions for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Most of that production came in the first five, with 21 catches for 294 yards on 40 targets. The subsequent move after placing Landry on IR was not to bring a wide receiver to the active roster, which is a strong sign Beckham will play against the Bears.

Peter King had a not entirely unexpected note in his Football Morning In America column this week.

"Odell Beckham Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Browns before the 2019 season. The Browns have played 36 games, including two in the playoffs, with Beckham in their employ. He is currently close to returning from November 2020 surgery for a torn ACL and missed his second game of the season Sunday. The Browns, since opening day 2019, with and without Beckham active: With Beckham playing: Cleveland is 11-12 and averages 21.65 points per game. Without Beckham playing: Cleveland is 8-5 and averages 25.62 points per game."

Despite the above statistical evidence, it’s a stretch to say the Browns are better without Beckham. But he and Mayfield have clearly struggled to build rapport. Mayfield surely feels like he has to force the ball Beckham’s way, lest he invite drama, which is not a formula for success as the Browns lean into a strong ground game most weeks.

With Landry out of the mix for at least the next three games, Beckham has to get healthy enough to play and he has to make an impact. That impact will not strictly be tied to huge numbers. He has to make plays in key moments, and show he’s enough of a threat to draw an opponent’s top corner.

Landry and Beckham appeared to have a friendly, tongue-cheek exchange on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/obj/status/1440022480781905927?s=20

If Beckham wants to re-enter the mix as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, his looming return to action and Landry’s absence are combining to give him an opportunity.