Eric Metcalf recently spoke with FanSided on what the Cleveland Browns should do with Odell Beckham Jr.
The Cleveland Browns‘ recent offseason moves have them in contention to be a threat in the AFC. Now the question turns to what to do will Odell Beckham Jr. moving forward.
After Beckham left in Week 7 with a torn ACL, Baker Mayfield flourished with different receivers. Cleveland’s weapons were enough to compete in the AFC Wild Card Round and nearly did enough to win in the AFC Divisional Round.
Does this mean the Browns should be interested in trading away the superstar target? Former All-Pro running back Eric Metcalf doesn’t see the value in letting Beckham leave.
“For me, obviously I can’t see the the future and I’m not in the front office to make those decisions, but if it were my choice, Odell Beckham would definitely be on that team,” Metcalf told FanSided’s Matt Lombardo on the Matt Lombardo Show. “You don’t give Ferraris away and become a better team. I think with the way that they’re running their offense, Odell can still make a lot of plays, and he can be a guy to stretch the defense.”
A member of the Browns’ Legends class, Metcalf understands the value of talent when looking to contend. Betting against Beckham is risky, as the hope would be whatever returned to Cleveland would match his production at a fraction of the cost.
That’s easier said than done, especially when looking toward the NFL Draft.
The Browns would be wise to keep Beckham for 2021
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told ESPN’s Keyshawn earlier this month that he was optimistic both Beckham and teammate Jarvis Landry would return this season despite their lucrative cap hits. General manager Andrew Berry reiterated the same answer.
“I think he’s a dynamic player who can be incredibly productive in this system, so we’re looking forward to getting him back healthy,” Berry told reporters.
Metcalf believes that every player has a role. Beckham’s should be used a downfield threat for Mayfield for big plays of gains worth 20 yards or more. When looking back at successful offenses last season, each roster has a player that could extend plays deep downfield.
“If you look at last year, I think they had one play over 45 yards, and that was a 75-yard touchdown to Donovan Peoples-Jones on a double-move. Odell is one of those guys who can just take the top off without the double-move,” Metcalf said. “I look forward to him being there, and him being a guy who buys into the situation, because they won 11 games. They’ve proven with Stefanski, when he was in Minnesota, that you can run the ball, play play-action and have a lot of catches like he did with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.”
In seven games last season, Beckham recorded 23 catches for 319 yards and three touchdowns.