Should the Baltimore Ravens Sign Odell Beckham Jr.?
By Braden Kletz
The NFL owner's meetings are happening in Arizona, and Ravens personnel are in town to participate. Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is also there looking to converse with team representatives, one of which was the Ravens.
I'm told free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr has arrived at the Biltmore with plans to talk to at least the #Ravens, per him.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 28, 2023
The fit is there as the Ravens could benefit from the upside shown in his last active season with the Los Angeles Rams. However, so many other variables that make this connection challenging to see all the way through.
Should Baltimore Ravens sign Odell Beckham Jr.?
For starters, the Ravens are very tight regarding the salary cap. After the acquisition of wide receiver Nelson Agholor, the Ravens do not have much wiggle room. According to Ravens salary cap analyst Brian McFarland, the Agholor deal leaves the Ravens with just under $7 million in cap space.
Rumors have swirled regarding Beckham, saying that he is still searching for a contract of around $20 million per year. The fact that he is attending the owner's meetings makes it clear that he is not going to command that kind of money, and that he needs to make appearances to keep his name on teams' radars.
That said, it might be difficult for the Ravens to convince him to take off $15 million a year and accept a D.J. Chark type of deal.
The next issue has been one nobody has been able to avoid, which is the question mark at quarterback.
A main selling point for Beckham would likely be playing alongside unanimous MVP Lamar Jackson. It would be reasonable to infer that Beckham might look at other teams with a less confusing QB situation.
Jackson's contract situation also limits the amount of money Beckham could get since the Ravens cannot restructure a franchise tag. It seems like the Ravens have exhausted all of their flexibility in creating cap space, making some difficult moves such as releasing defensive tackle Calais Campbell among other things.
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From what Beckham said, it sounds like he likes the fit in Baltimore, but much more than a "good meeting" is needed for this addition to become probable.
Obj on meeting with #Ravens & connecting with other teams: “The love was there, good meeting…(Lot of) people and teams I bumped into.”
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 28, 2023
Eventually the free agent WR will become a big addition to a new team.
Head coach John Harbaugh said outright that the Ravens are not done at the wide receiver position, even after the addition of Agholor. Whether that be in free agency or the draft, we will find out in the coming weeks.