Does the Ravens signing Odell Beckham Jr. impact their draft plans?

The Ravens signed OBJ to a huge 1-year contract. How does that impact their 2023 NFL draft plans?

The Baltimore Ravens made an interesting move over the weekend. Baltimore signed veteran free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year contract.

The financial commitment to Beckham is radical. The 30-year-old will earn up to $18 million in 2023, with $15 million fully guaranteed. That is an indication that the Ravens expect prime OBJ, the All-Pro from 2014-2016 who hit at least 90 receptions, 1,300 yards and 10 TDs in each of those three seasons with the New York Giants.

The Ravens also signed free agent Nelson Agholor earlier this offseason. They join a Baltimore receiving corps that also includes 2021 first-rounder Rashod Bateman and a slew of slot receivers.

How does this impact the Ravens draft plans?

Beckham didn’t play in 2022 as he recovered from a torn left ACL suffered in the Los Angeles Rams’ win in Super Bowl LVI. He had torn the same ACL in Week 7 of the 2020 season while a member of the Cleveland Browns.

In short, he’s a somewhat risky proposition, even on a one-year deal, to play all 17 games. Agholor is also signed to a one-year deal, one that the Ravens would be comfortable eating if it doesn’t work out in training camp and the preseason.

With the longer-term focus, wide receiver remains a glaring need for Baltimore. Signing Beckham buys GM Eric DeCosta a little time if the team isn’t sold on any of the top wideouts in 2023. The Ravens should not eschew drafting any wide receiver just because they signed Beckham, even if the team hopes to extend the relationship with OBJ beyond 2023.

2020 NFL Draft: Green Bay Packers team preview

Everything Green Bay Packers fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Green Bay Packers fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt LaFleur

General Manager: Brian Gutekunst

2019 Record: 13-3

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (30)

2 (62)

3 (94)

4 (136)

5 (175)

6 (192, from Raiders)

6 (208, from Titans)

6 (209)

7 (236, from Browns)

7 (242, from Ravens)

TEAM NEEDS

Wide Receiver

As of right now, the Packers have very little help alongside Davante Adams at wide receiver. Adams is a star, sure, but they desperately need another reliable starter for Aaron Rodgers to throw to. With the depth of this wideout class, Green Bay should be able to find a starter in the draft.

Linebacker

The Packers replaced Blake Martinez with Christian Kirksey at linebacker, doing little else to bolster the depth at the position. There’s still a glaring hole at the other starting inside linebacker position, so the team could look to plug in a rookie if the value is right.

Offensive Tackle

Ricky Wagner is a step down from Bryan Bulaga at right tackle, and even if the veteran bounces back from his poor 2019 season, he turns 31 in October. Green Bay could stand to look for an eventual replacement early in the draft if an intriguing prospect falls.

TOP TARGETS

Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor

Kenneth Murray | LB | Oklahoma

Patrick Queen | LB | LSU

Josh Jones | OT | Houston

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2020 NFL Draft: Minnesota Vikings team preview

Everything Minnesota Vikings fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Minnesota Vikings fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Mike Zimmer

General Manager: Rick Spielman

2019 Record: 10-6

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (22, from Bills)

1 (25)

2 (58)

3 (89)

3 (105, compensatory pick)

4 (132)

5 (155, from Browns via Bills)

6 (201, from Bills)

6 (205)

7 (219)

7 (249, compensatory pick)

7 (253, compensatory pick)

TEAM NEEDS

Wide Receiver

While Adam Thielen is a talented wide receiver, he’s coming off of a down year in which he missed six games due to injury, and with Stefon Diggs now in Buffalo, there’s a huge hole at receiver in the Vikings’ starting lineup. With three picks in the first 60 spots – including two first-round selections – expect them to draft a receiver early in this year’s draft.

Cornerback

Trae Waynes, Xavier Rhodes and Mackenzie Alexander are all gone, leaving the Vikings with a desolate cornerback group. While the team likes youngsters Mike Hughes and Holton Hill, they’re going to need to upgrade the position, especially if they want to keep up in a division that features Davante Adams, Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay.

Edge Rusher

Long-time stalwart Everson Griffen is no longer on Minnesota’s roster, and while Ifeadi Odenigbo broke out with 7 sacks this past year, the Vikings will likely at least add competition for the starting edge rusher spot alongside Danielle Hunter. The depth at the position is worrisome, too.

TOP TARGETS

Justin Jefferson | WR | LSU

Denzel Mims | WR | Baylor

Kristian Fulton | CB | LSU

Jeff Gladney | CB | TCU

A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

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2020 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears team preview

Everything Chicago Bears fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything Chicago Bears fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Matt Nagy

General Manager: Ryan Pace

2019 Record: 8-8

2020 DRAFT PICKS

2 (43, from Raiders)

2 (50)

5 (163)

6 (196)

6 (200, from Eagles)

7 (226, from Raiders)

7 (233)

TEAM NEEDS

Offensive Guard

With the retirement of Kyle Long, the Bears currently have a big hole at right guard. While Germain Ifedi was signed for cheap to provide veteran competition for the starting spot, look for them to throw a draft prospect into the mix and have him fight for reps – and don’t be surprised if that rookie is a player who started at center in college.

Defensive Back

After Prince Amukamara was released and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix having left in free agency for Dallas, the Bears have needs at both cornerback and safety. They seem to be confident in taking a cheap approach to both positions, but don’t be surprised if one of their two second-round picks was used on a defensive back.

Wide Receiver

It may not seem like a major need on paper, but the Bears don’t have a dynamic speed option at wide receiver at the moment. Taylor Gabriel was released, and though second-year wideout Riley Ridley is a talented player, he doesn’t bring that game-breaking speed to the ‘Z’ receiver position that Gabriel did. If the Bears like the value enough early on, they could look at add a wideout to a room that already features Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller.

TOP TARGETS

Cesar Ruiz | OL | Michigan

Lloyd Cushenberry | OL | LSU

A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson

Jeremy Chinn | S | Southern Illinois

Jalen Reagor | WR | TCU

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2020 NFL Draft: New England Patriots team preview

Everything New England Patriots fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything New England Patriots fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Bill Belichick

General Manager: Bill Belichick

2019 Record: 12-4

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (23)

3 (87)

3 (98, compensatory pick)

3 (100, compensatory pick)

4 (125, from Bears)

5 (172, from Seahawks via Lions)

6 (195, from Broncos)

6 (204, from Texans)

6 (212, compensatory pick)

6 (213, compensatory pick)

7 (230, from Falcons)

7 (241, from Seahawks)

TEAM NEEDS

Quarterback

The Patriots need to find a new starting quarterback to replace Tom Brady, which is a sentence that still feels weird to write. Even if their front office feels confident in Jarrett Stidham, they should strongly consider drafting a quarterback early or even trade up in the first round for one.

Edge Rusher

Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy both left the Patriots in free agency, leaving their defense devoid of their two most productive pass-rushers from their dangerous 2019 unit. Adding some talent at edge rusher should be a priority for New England.

Tight End

Benjamin Watson retired in March, leaving the Patriots with an even thinner group of tight ends than they already had. While the 2020 draft class doesn’t feature much in the way of Day 1 starters at tight end, New England would be wise to add a player with some upside at the position to their roster.

TOP TARGETS

Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

Jacob Eason | QB | Washington

A.J. Epenesa | EDGE | Iowa

Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State

Cole Kmet | TE | Notre Dame

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2020 NFL Draft: Miami Dolphins team preview

Everything Miami Dolphins fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Everything Miami Dolphins fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Brian Flores

General Manager: Chris Grier

2019 Record: 5-11

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (5)

1 (18, from Steelers)

1 (26, from Texans)

2 (39)

2 (56, from Saints)

3 (70)

4 (141, compensatory pick)

5 (153, from Cardinals)

5 (154, from Steelers)

5 (173, from Broncos)

6 (185)

7 (227, from Colts)

7 (246, from Chiefs)

7 (251, compensatory pick)

TEAM NEEDS

Quarterback

The Josh Rosen experiment didn’t work out, and Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a long-term answer as a starting quarterback, so the Dolphins will look to draft a quarterback in the first round this year. Given their abundance of draft picks, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them trade up from their fifth overall spot to secure their franchise signal-caller.

Offensive Tackle

The Dolphins signed Ereck Flowers and Ted Karras to improve their interior offensive line, but they’re still weak at both tackle spots. Assuming their first pick is used on a quarterback, they should look to use their next pick on some who can protect him.

Safety

Running back stands out as another major need, but with Jordan Howard now in the fold as at least a quality committee option, the Dolphins can focus a bit more on the safety position, where depth is lacking and long-time starter Reshad Jones is no longer on the team. With six picks in the top 70 of the draft, expect one of those selections to be use on a safety.

TOP TARGETS

Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

Justin Herbert | QB | Oregon

Josh Jones | OT | Houston

Xavier McKinney | S | Alabama

D’Andre Swift | RB | Georgia

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2020 NFL Draft: Buffalo Bills team preview

Everything Buffalo Bills fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

Everything Buffalo Bills fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Sean McDermott

General Manager: Brandon Beane

2019 Record: 10-6

2020 DRAFT PICKS

2 (54)

3 (86)

4 (128)

5 (167)

6 (188, from Browns)

6 (201)

7 (239, from Vikings)

TEAM NEEDS

Edge Rusher

The Bills are in a good spot at edge rusher for 2020 with Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison and Trent Murphy. But by the end of the season those players will be 32, 30 and 33, respectively. They could look to add a young player who could serve as depth and eventually develop into a long-term starter.

Cornerback

Tre’Davious White is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, but alongside him is an aging Josh Norman, with an injury-prone Taron Johnson in the nickel. Buffalo should make it a priority to add some youth to the group to push either Norman or Johnson for a starting spot.

Running Back

Devin Singletary showed plenty of promise in 2019, but as they showed with Frank Gore this past season, the Bills seem to prefer a committee in their backfield, and their depth at the running back position is poor. They could target another back to complement Singletary at some point in the draft.

TOP TARGETS

Julian Okwara | EDGE | Notre Dame

Josh Uche | EDGE | Michigan

Jaylon Johnson | CB | Utah

Noah Igbinoghene | CB | Auburn

Zack Moss | RB | Utah

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2020 NFL Draft: New York Jets team preview

Everything New York Jets fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft

Everything New York Jets fans need to know heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.

VITALS

Head Coach: Adam Gase

General Manager: Joe Douglas

2019 Record: 7-9

2020 DRAFT PICKS

1 (11)

2 (48)

3 (68, from Giants)

3 (79)

4 (120)

5 (158)

6 (191)

6 (211, from Chiefs)

TEAM NEEDS

Offensive Tackle

George Fant, Connor McGovern and Greg Van Roten were all brought in to help shore up the Jets’ offensive line, but they don’t have a true franchise building block up front. Given how much talent could be available at offensive tackle when they pick in the first round, the value could end up being too good to pass up.

Wide Receiver

New addition Breshad Perriman is a step down from Robby Anderson, who signed with the Panthers in free agency, and the rest of New York’s receiving core is okay at best. If they see a receiver they think has No. 1 weapon potential, don’t be surprised if they pull the trigger.

Edge Rusher

The Jets have had a need at edge rusher for what seems like forever, and while Jordan Jenkins has had 15 sacks in the past two seasons, they desperately need more talent alongside him. Though they’ll probably go offense in Round 1, they would be smart to add an edge rusher with one of their Day 2 selections.

TOP TARGETS

Jedrick Wills | OT | Alabama

Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

CeeDee Lamb | WR | Oklahoma

Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

K’Lavon Chaisson | EDGE | LSU

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