The Cleveland Browns have had an interesting week that has surrounded wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Early in the week, Beckham’s father shared a video on social media which highlighted quarterback Baker Mayfield’s poor throws when targeting his son or the plays when the wide receiver was open and Mayfield didn’t even look his way.
Wednesday, the Browns did not allow Beckham to participate in practice, and early Friday morning, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported that the Browns will release the three-time Pro Bowl wideout.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that Beckham has been released and will hit the waiver wire where any team is free to claim him. If he goes unclaimed, he will become a free agent.
For Miami, they could benefit from having a star wide receiver in their system, and they are second in waiver order behind only the Detroit Lions.
Would it be worth it to go after Beckham?
The Dolphins wideout room currently consists of DeVante Parker, Will Fuller (injured reserve), Jaylen Waddle, Preston William, Mack Hollins, Albert Wilson, and Isaiah Ford. They have the bodies, but with Fuller having played in just two games this season, the overall talent level isn’t great.
Parker is the veteran big body who plays well outside and can make contested catches, and Waddle is the up-and-coming slot receiver who can create separation. Beyond that, there are some guys with potential and some role players but nobody who is dynamic.
Beckham could provide that downfield option that the offense has missed this season. The team would hope that Waddle grows into that role as he did in college, but he hasn’t been used that way to this point.
Obviously, there are negatives.
Beckham’s attitude has reportedly been in issue with both the Giants and the Browns. That is on display when his team is losing, and he’s not producing. However, he says he gets upset because he wants to win so bad.
Do you want that type of behavior in Miami? Probably not, but it’s a trade-off for the talent. Beckham hit at least 1,000 yards in five of his first six seasons, and the only season he didn’t reach that feat was because he only played four games.
In the right situation, he could re-capture that magic. It’s just a question of if that right situation is Miami.
Tua Tagovailoa, this early in his career, hasn’t shown the potential that Mayfield has. Beckham would likely be more frustrated with this offense than he was with Cleveland’s, and, if he was upset with a 4-4 Browns team, how would he handle the 1-7 Dolphins.
Beckham is an extremely talented player, but at this point in the season, it probably isn’t worth it to bring him in.
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