Odell Beckham Jr. missed the 2022 NFL season after tearing his ACL on the Super Bowl. More than a year removed from knee surgery, the veteran wide receiver is already drawing interest from NFL teams before free agency begins.
Beckham Jr. generated a fair amount of interest for a potential mid-season signing last fall. However, the timeline for his recovery from ACL surgery kept getting pushed back with clubs like the Dallas Cowboys (T.Y. Hilton) and Buffalo Bills (Cole Beasley) moving on to other options.
- Odell Beckham Jr career stats: 531 receptions, 7,367 receiving yards, 56 touchdowns
Related: 2023 NFL mock draft
After spending the closing months of the season rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee, the 30-year-old wide receiver took the field in Arizona with NFL teams in attendance. While it was just one private workout, the former All-Pro receiver generated some buzz from players and evaluators in attendance.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also spoke to multiple people who watched Beckham Jr. work out 13 months removed from ACL surgery. Teams saw what they wanted, a 5-foot-11 offensive weapon who looks healthy and ready to play next season.
Related: Top NFL free agents 2023
Talked to a few people who attended Odell Beckham’s workout. One noted how noticeably muscular Beckham looks now, likening him to a combination of Saquon Barkley and Deebo Samuel. Another said Beckham is simply a gifted athlete and that hasn’t changed. Explosion was there.”
Jeremy Fowler on Odell Beckham Jr’s workout
Evaluating best team fits for Odell Beckham Jr.
Related: Top NFL free agents 2023
Based on the list of NFL teams in attendance for the private workout, per Jonathan Jones, we’ve ranked the best landing spots for Beckham Jr. in 2023.
- Odell Beckham Jr stats (2021): 27 receptions, 305 receiving yards in seven games with Rams
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs could lose JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to other teams, but that opens the door for a new veteran receiver to come in. While Beckham Jr. is no longer a dangerous vertical threat, quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw 18.1 percent of his throws behind the line of scrimmage and 43.2 percent went within 1-9 yards this past season. Playing for the reigning Super Bowl champs would provide Beckham Jr. with a meaningful role and he could win another ring.
Related: Odell Beckham Jr. looks healthy on practice field
2. Buffalo Bills
Von Miller will be recruiting Beckham Jr. to Buffalo once again and he won’t be alone. The Bills haven’t seen what they needed to believe Gabriel Davis can be a reliable No. 2 receiver for a championship-caliber offense. With defensive backs focused on containing Stefon Diggs and worried about Josh Allen‘s athleticism, Beckham Jr. could feast underneath and exploit zone coverages. Adding a second playmaker is just as important as upgrading at running back and the mutual interest between the two sides is known.
3. San Francisco 49ers
If Beckham Jr. wants to be the go-to guy, San Francisco isn’t for him. Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel would be ahead of him in the pecking order for targets. However, there is no coach better in the NFL at scheming up big-play opportunities for his offensive weapons than Kyle Shanahan. Being a part of one of the NFL’s best offenses and having an outstanding shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, while getting some revenge on the Los Angeles Rams, has to be a tempting situation for Beckham Jr. to consider.
Related: Bold predictions for NFL free agency
4. Baltimore Ravens
It appears likely that Lamar Jackson will say with the Baltimore Ravens, even if it takes time for a deal to be figured out. The chemistry between the two friends is apparent and Jackson certainly wants to see the franchise put better playmakers around him. Baltimore’s receiving corps is thin, but unlike in previous years, it has a new offensive coordinator who will bring a modern scheme. While there are a few better opportunities out there, the Ravens have a lot to offer.
Related: Odell Beckham Jr. expected to have ‘competitive market’ in 2023
5. New York Jets
This ranking assumes the New York Jets pull off the Aaron Rodgers trade. It’s an ideal scenario for Beckham, playing a complementary role in an offense led by a future Hall of Fame quarterback. A receiver trio of Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore and Beckham Jr. with Rodgers under center would give New York a top-10 offense. Combine that with the defense and you have an opportunity for Beckham to be a part of a signature moment for a Jets’ Super Bowl run.
Related: 2023 NFL offense rankings
6. Carolina Panthers
It might come as a surprise to see the Carolina Panthers this high on the list. However, they just opened up a No. 1 receiver spot by dealing D.J. Moore to acquire the No. 1 pick. In Carolina, Beckham Jr. would be swarmed with targets from either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud and he could work directly with one of the best wide receivers coaches in the NFL (Shawn Jefferson). There would be no chance at a Super Bowl, but stats, a sizable payday and a playoff appearance could be part of the Panthers’ sales pitch.
Related: Carolina Panthers mock draft 2023
7. Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings creating an opening at the No. 2 receiver spot following the release of Adam Thielen. It’s also worth mentioning that Beckham Jr. and Kevin O’Connell worked together for a few months with the Los Angeles Rams. Starting opposite of Justin Jefferson would create an abundance of open looks in the middle of the field. Although, the Vikings’ needs across the roster could push them elsewhere and that means less money on the table to play in the cold.
8. New York Giants
It’s rare to see reunions work out, but the mutual interest between the Giants and Beckham Jr. is notable. Barring a decision to select a wide receiver in Round 1, this could be one of the rare landing spots with a playoff contender where Beckham Jr. is the No. 1 receiver. Money could sway things, but it’s fair to point to better quarterback options elsewhere.
Related: New York Giants in the hunt for Odell Beckham Jr
9. Cleveland Browns
We know what happened the last time these two partnered up. While one could argue things are better now that Baker Mayfield was replaced by Deshaun Watson, Beckham Jr. already sold his Ohio home and it’s hard to imagine he is on the best of terms with the coaching staff.
Related: 2023 NFL power rankings
10. New England Patriots
The mutual respect between Bill Belichick and Beckham Jr. is well-documented. New England has pursued the two-time All-Pro selection multiple times, only to come up short. The fit in the Patriots’ offense is understandable, but quarterback Mac Jones is likely the worst passer Beckham could choose among the top-10 teams in our rankings and the weather isn’t ideal.
11. Los Angeles Rams
Remember how things ended between Beckham Jr. and the Rams? He wasn’t happy with the offer he received from the organization in 2022, especially after he helped them win the Super Bowl. A year later, the front office is tearing the roster apart for a rebuild. For as much as Beckham Jr. might love the bright lights in Los Angeles, there are far better options out there.
Related: Los Angeles Rams’ asking price for Jalen Ramsey trade revealed
12. Arizona Cardinals
Kyler Murray will miss the start of the 2023 season recovering from a torn ACL, the Arizona Cardinals don’t have much cap space and they will finish near the bottom of the NFL standings this fall. At least the Rams offer the city of Los Angeles, Arizona has nothing going for it.
