Tag: Odell Beckham

Browns 2020 position preview: Wide receivers

Projecting what the productivity for Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and the rest of the Browns WRs will look like in 2020

Last year notwithstanding, the Cleveland Browns do not have a rich recent history of wide receiver duos on their roster. The previous wide receiver tandem to go over 200 targets for the Browns was Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman. Yikes!

This year’s crop of wide receivers, similar to 2019, is a top-heavy group. Fortunately for the wide receivers behind Beckham and Landry, both players are on the mend, and there will be opportunities to work with Baker Mayfield.

Snapshot of the depth chart

Key Returnees: Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Damion Ratley, Taywan Taylor, D.J. Montgomery

Newcomers: Donovan Peoples-Jones, JoJo Natson, J’Mon Moore

Key Departures: None

Factors Surrounding the Wide Receivers

I need to see what Beckham and Landry can do together healthy. In 2019, both players dealt with injuries, which could have slowed them down to impact their overall performance. Even with these injuries, both players rarely left the field; they played over 93% of the Browns’ offensive snaps. 

With two target hogs on the field, there isn’t much room for targets behind either one. On top of limited opportunities for targets, the Browns won’t have a use for a deep wide receiver bench. The Browns expect to play primarily out of 12-personnel (two tight ends), and there won’t be much playing time available for anyone else.

My concern for the Browns, even though there won’t be much playing time, is the depth. Beckham and Landry are amazing but there are serious questions about the other players behind them. If the Browns move on from either, or both, in the coming offseason or two, the Browns will have serious question marks at the position.

Predictions:

I don’t have concerns about this position on the football team. The Browns have two elite targets at wide receiver for Baker Mayfield. The Browns also made a smart move to re-sign Rashard Higgins, who has shown good chemistry with Mayfield in the past. They also drafted explosive rookie, Donovan Peoples-Jones, on Day 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Projected Stats:

Odell Beckham: 88 receptions (144 targets), 1,226 yards, 7 TDs

Jarvis Landry: 93 receptions (144 targets), 1,150 yards, 6 TDs

Rashard Higgins: 31 receptions (43 targets), 297, 2 TDs

*Only projected the top-3

 

Cleveland announces dates for the 2021 NFL Draft

Cleveland announces dates for the 2021 NFL Draft

The 2020 NFL Draft is over and in the books, which means the focus of NFL teams will now build towards 2021 scouting.

The Cleveland Browns and the city announced on Tuesday, the dates and times for the 86th NFL Draft to be held April 29 – May 1, 2021, in downtown Cleveland.

According to the Browns official website, The event will be centered around FirstEnergy Stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to celebrate the NFL while proving that Cleveland can be a destination city.

“We’re excited for Cleveland to ‘Rock The Clock’ as the host of next year’s NFL Draft and NFL Draft Experience – assuming large gatherings can take place without compromising the well-being of participants,” said David Gilbert, President, and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland.

Some of the top players expected to be on the board in 2021 include Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State. Penei Sewell, T, Oregon. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami. Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU. Walker Little, T, Stanford. Justyn Ross, WR, Clemson. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama.

Paul DePodesta: Odell Beckham trade rumors ‘completely false’

Podesta slammed the door on the rumors from Minnesota

In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Cleveland Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta slammed the recent rumors of the team trying to trade wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as “completely false”.

DePodesta minced no words. It was the first question asked of him and DePodesta was clearly bothered by the insinuation the team would have any interest in moving on from the talented wideout.

“In short, I will just say it was completely false,” DePodesta stated. “It is frustrating a little bit, obviously. I think it is pretty clear what we are trying to build at this point. We have done an awful lot in free agency. We are excited about what we have a chance to do in the draft, and we are really building around a core of players that we think have a chance to be a championship-caliber core.

The idea that we would take away from that core at this moment just does not make a whole lot of sense and is really not something that we are exploring at all. It is completely false.”

A later follow-up about Beckham met with the same sort of indignant response towards any notion the team is unhappy with Beckham or is trying to move on from the enigmatic WR after just one season.

“I have no reason to believe he doesn’t want to be here. Odell has been very good this offseason. He has been engaged with (head coach Kevin Stefanski). I think he is excited about the possibilities of what this offensive system could bring for him, and we are excited to have him.”

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2020 NFL MVP Odds: Is Odell Beckham Jr. worth a bet?

Analyzing the betting odds to be named the NFL’s 2020 MVP, with a look at whether Odell Beckham Jr. is worthy of a bet this season.

Do you think Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. has what it takes to win the 2020 NFL MVP? Let’s examine his chances, the BetMGM NFL futures odds around it happening and whether or not Beckham is worth a bet.

Beckham came over to the Browns from the New York Giants in a huge trade last offseason. The expectations went through the roof in Cleveland; however, First Energy Stadium was once again a Factory of Sadness, and Beckham and several other new offensive weapons were unable to jell. Not only did they fall short of lofty expectations, but the Browns were also still unable to produce a winning record.

Recent NFL MVP winners

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson picked up the MVP award in 2019, while last season’s Super Bowl MVP, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, was the winner in 2018. QB Tom Brady, then of the New England Patriots, claimed the 2017 award.

If Beckham, or any other wideout, was to win the 2020 MVP, it would be historic. Since 1954 we have never had a wide receiver win the award. We have had a fullback, an offensive tackle, a kicker, a linebacker and a defensive tackle win the award at least once, but no wideouts.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s 2020 NFL MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, March 26 at 10:40 a.m. ET.

Beckham (+12500) has extremely long odds as he enters the 2020 season, while Browns QB Baker Mayfield (+4000) is the favorite among all Browns, followed by RB Nick Chubb (+8000).

Wide receiver just isn’t a position which has been seriously considered for MVP, as generally, quarterbacks steal the show. In fact, a quarterback has won in each of the past seven seasons, and 12 of the past 13. Beckham is tied with Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams, Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill and Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones for the second-best odds among wideouts, with New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas (+10000) priced as the favorite among WRs.

Looking to place a bet on the 2020 NFL MVP? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM. Bet now!

Odell Beckham Jr.’s stats

Beckham certainly didn’t post MVP caliber numbers in 2019, his first as a member of the Browns. While he finished the seasons with 74 receptions, 1,035 yards and four touchdowns, it was rather mediocre by today’s standards.

He posted 161 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against the New York Jets in his old home stadium, and that was just one of two 100-yard performances on the season. It was the only time he had at least six grabs, 100 or more yards and a score in the same contest.

Is Odell Beckham Jr. worth a 2020 NFL MVP bet?

In a word, no. Betting on a wide receiver to win the MVP award is simply throwing good money away. Beckham is a tremendous downfield talent with speed to burn, but if he and the Cleveland offense improve exponentially in 2020, it’s likely Mayfield would get more attention for the award than Beckham or any other skill position player.

Want action on the 2020 NFL MVP award? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow @SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Torrey Smith doing his part to help the Eagles land Stefon Diggs

Torrey Smith working to help Philadelphia Eagles land Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs apparently wants out of Minnesota and if former Eagles wide receiver Torrey Smith has his way, the Vikings star will be on his way to Philly.

Diggs went viral on Monday morning when he sent out this tweet around the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period.

Diggs has seemingly clamored to be traded all offseason and with Smith being a former Maryland Terrapin, he had this advice for his younger protegé.

The Eagles can use a player like Diggs and his base salaries are reasonable, $10.9 million in 2020, $11.4 million in 2021, $11.4 million in 2022 and $11.4 million in 2023 per Over The Cap.

None of Diggs remaining salary is guaranteed, which explains his frustrations and the likely reason Howie Roseman may choose to stay away.

PFF suggests Broncos should trade for WR Odell Beckham

Should the Broncos try to trade for Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham?

Ben Linsey of ProFootballFocus.com has released a list of ten trades that he would like to see happen during the NFL offseason. The Denver Broncos made the list — Linsey believes they should try to acquire star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the Cleveland Browns.

Last year, OBJ had Denver on his shortlist of top landing spots. Beckham is friends with Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and counted Denver among his preferred destinations.

After a disappointing first year in Cleveland, OBJ might be on the move again and PFF has connected the dots to the Broncos.

“The Broncos aren’t a team often discussed in potentially pursuing the talented wide receiver out of LSU, but they have a need at the position paired with the cap space to absorb Beckham’s contract,” Linsey wrote for PFF.

Beckham, a three-time Pro Bowler, is set to earn $14 million and $14.5 million over the next two years. Denver is projected to have $65.5 million in salary cap space in 2020, assuming quarterback Joe Flacco will be cut.

Should the Broncos try to land OBJ? Vote in our poll below!

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Will Brinson’s 2020 mock draft has Bucs going defense and Odell going to New England

Take a look at this latest 2020 NFL mock draft from Will Brinson of CBS Sports.

Will Brinson of CBS Sports has released his first 2020 NFL mock draft, and as the writer says at the beginning of his piece, “There’s nothing better than getting weird out of the gate with a mock draft.”

That might be an understatement.

Brinson’s mock plays out like many others, with Joe Burrow going first overall to the Bengals and Chase Young going to the Redskins at two. But, Brinson proposes a blockbuster trade involving the Patriots and Browns where New England sends their first-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Odell Beckham Jr.

Per Brinson:

“No one can say the deal for Odell from the Giants worked out well for the Browns. A first-year coach got fired. A second-year GM got fired. Baker Mayfield took huge steps back. Maybe Kevin Stefanski can fix everything, but my gut says the Browns would love to cut their losses by landing a first-round pick in this draft, and the Patriots have to be worried about simply finding a first-round impact guy or finding help for Brady in free agency. There simply isn’t much out there.”

That trade would easily be one of the biggest in NFL history when you think about pairing Beckham with the greatest quarterback of all time in Tom Brady.

As for who Brinson thinks the Bucs will take at the 14th spot, he likes LSU safety Grant Delpit.

“Tampa was great against the run last year but struggled against the pass. Adding another LSU defensive standout in the first round can help improve how the Bucs play in the defensive backfield.”

Delpit would be a huge get for Tampa Bay, but again, that story would be overshadowed if that Beckham-to-New-England deal went through somehow.

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Dwayne Haskins given 125-to-1 odds to win 2020 NFL MVP award

It is definitely unlikely to happen, but Bet MGM gave Dwayne Haskins a 125-to-1 chance at winning the MVP award in 2020.

It’s now that time of the year when sportsbook oddsmakers issue out their numbers and start to give the public an idea of how the NFL hierarchy will look in the coming year. Whether it’s way-too-early Super Bowl odds or a player’s chance to win the MVP, Las Vegas puts a number on it and tries to lure you into making your pick alongside a chunk of change, big or small.

For the Washington Redskins, they may not have much reason to bet on the odds to win Super Bowl LV, where they are given a 150-to-1 chance — the worst in the NFL.

However, Redskins fans can now place a bet on who they think the NFL MVP will be in 2020, thanks to Bet MGM, and QB Dwayne Haskins is an option, with 125-to-1 odds.

Haskins is handicapped alongside players like Joe Burrow, Mitchell Trubisky, and Odell Beckham Jr. For reference, Patrick Mahomes has the best odds to win the award, at 4-to-1.

If you’re unfamiliar with how sports wagering works, a $10 bet on Haskins to win the 2020 MVP award would pay out $1,250 if he were to win.

It may seem like a crazy bet, but with an offense ripe with weapons, a stout defensive front, and a brand new coaching staff set to lead the way, it’s at least slightly possible.

Who knows, crazier things have happened.

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Ranking the NFL’s coaching vacancies

Touchdown Wire ranks the NFL coaching jobs from least to most attractive.

The NFL Network reported Tuesday that Ron Rivera has agreed to contract terms to be the next coach of the Washington Redskins.

That’s no surprise because it appeared as if Rivera was Washington’s main target for several days. Washington got the best coach out there. But did Rivera get the best situation out the? I don’t think so.

Washington, a marquee franchise back in the days of Joe Gibbs (the first time) and George Allen, has become a dysfunctional organization by all accounts. It’s well known that owner Dan Snyder is hands on and some would say meddlesome. Washington is not a very attractive situation for a coach. There are better jobs out there.

At the moment, the jobs for the Panthers, Giants and Browns are available. Dallas also could come open at any time, so we’re going to include the Cowboys in the following discussion.

Here’s how the three open jobs, plus Dallas, rank in terms of attractiveness.

4. Cleveland Browns

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

This is not a good job by any means. Owner Jimmy Haslam is not afraid to spend money, but it’s been widely reported that the organization has been dysfunctional throughout his tenure. Previous coach Freddie Kitchens was fired after just one season of 6-10. Haslam may have unrealistic expectations and a short fuse. Despite a die-hard fan base, Cleveland has long been a tough place to win. On the plus side, Baker Mayfield, a young quarterback with some promise, already is in place and so are running back Nick Chubb and receiver Odell Beckham Jr. But, still, this job shouldn’t be anyone’s first choice, unless they have no other choice.

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