2019 Potential Free Agency Targets

[Jordan]

I think I am higher on acquiring ODB than most people. I am wondering if this is true.

Say the Giants decide they want/need to trade him. They call Dorsey and say "We have a deal from the Colts we like, but if you can beat it, he's yours". What is the absolute most you'd give for ODB? Keep in mind, about 25% of his contract would stay with the Giants.

I'd give our own 1st and 3rd this year. Probably would give a little more than that.

Is OBJ actually up for trade? Giants are not terrible. If they get offensive line help and draft a good QB they could be a playoff team next year.

 

[col63onel]

Is OBJ actually up for trade? Giants are not terrible. If they get offensive line help and draft a good QB they could be a playoff team next year.

As long as Eli is there, there'll be smoke, I think.

And maybe he isn't available, or maybe the asking price is so high he isn't really available.

But the Giants have at least explored it before, and the Browns are in a unique position, both having the cap space for his contract, and having Jarvis and his college WR already on staff.

If I'm Dorsey, I ask the Giants about it until it's clear he's not available.

 

[Jordan]

As long as Eli is there, there'll be smoke, I think.

And maybe he isn't available, or maybe the asking price is so high he isn't really available.

But the Giants have at least explored it before, and the Browns are in a unique position, both having the cap space for his contract, and having Jarvis and his college WR already on staff.

If I'm Dorsey, I ask the Giants about it until it's clear he's not available.

OBJ would be amazing for Landry because he’s draw the free safety for doubles. I’d love him and would give up what it takes to get him. I’m just not sure he’s acailable.

 

[JDailey23]

Id give a 2019 1st and a 2020 2nd.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I wouldn't.

Beckham is great, no doubt. But Baker has been playing a style where he doesn't force feed one target, just hits the open man. I don't think that we either 1) Need a guy like Beckham and 2) want someone who could be so selfish that he'll throw a temper tantrum if he isn't being forced the ball.

I understand that the thought is tantalizing. But I'd rather keep drafting and taking chances on FA's than waste a bunch of assets on a WR like Beckham.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

I've been hoping for OBJ for some time now. His frustration (IMO) is not touches - its that Eli doesn't have an arm anymore (did he ever). I see so many underthrows when watching the Giants - that's the most frustrating thing for a Receiver - getting open and not having an opportunity to make a play. Offense would be dynamic with him in the fold.

 

[zDawg45]

I wouldn't.

Beckham is great, no doubt. But Baker has been playing a style where he doesn't force feed one target, just hits the open man. I don't think that we either 1) Need a guy like Beckham and 2) want someone who could be so selfish that he'll throw a temper tantrum if he isn't being forced the ball.

I understand that the thought is tantalizing. But I'd rather keep drafting and taking chances on FA's than waste a bunch of assets on a WR like Beckham.

 

[zDawg45]

maybe if he had a #1 to throw to, he might do it more often. Maybe he is already on the team but he we have his goto Wr to grow with

 

[Vee-Rex]

I wouldn't.

Beckham is great, no doubt. But Baker has been playing a style where he doesn't force feed one target, just hits the open man. I don't think that we either 1) Need a guy like Beckham and 2) want someone who could be so selfish that he'll throw a temper tantrum if he isn't being forced the ball.

I understand that the thought is tantalizing. But I'd rather keep drafting and taking chances on FA's than waste a bunch of assets on a WR like Beckham.

I see this perspective very often, and I attribute it to the fact that we, as Browns fans, are unaccustomed to watching success.

You have to look at this in a BIG PICTURE sort of way.

Right now, sure, Baker's had a lot of success throwing to multiple targets and likes to spread the ball around. You're right about that.

However, one thing an elite receiver does is get open over and over and over, and make catch after catch after catch. Baker can go through his progressions but more often than not he'll see OBJr open a lot. He might not necessarily intend to play favorites but still end up going to Beckham quite often.

An elite receiver also makes it easier to beat hard-nosed, glued-on-your-buttcheeks defenses. Those defenses that completely dominate at the line of scrimmage and force turnovers. The defenses that, even if not ultra-talented, gameplan extremely well and take away your middling receivers. THOSE are the kind of defenses we will be seeing if we're making the playoffs. THOSE are the kind of defenses we would need to beat in order to have a chance to win a Super Bowl. Most Super Bowl winning teams have elite play-makers at the WR and TE positions (people always like to point to the Patriots but they've always had guys like Gronk and Welker and Edelman making plays when plays are impossible to make, not to mention a football gameplanning genius in Belichick).

OBJr with Baker at the helm would be a nightmare for even an elite playoff defense to game-plan for.

Of course, the price of Odell Beckham Jr is key. We can't throw everything to acquire him, but you're kidding yourself if you don't think he would be a fantastic and much needed addition to our team. Think big picture here and don't be a prisoner of the 6-8 win moment we have going right now.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I see this perspective very often, and I attribute it to the fact that we, as Browns fans, are unaccustomed to watching success.

You have to look at this in a BIG PICTURE sort of way.

Right now, sure, Baker's had a lot of success throwing to multiple targets and likes to spread the ball around. You're right about that.

However, one thing an elite receiver does is get open over and over and over, and make catch after catch after catch. Baker can go through his progressions but more often than not he'll see OBJr open a lot. He might not necessarily intend to play favorites but still end up going to Beckham quite often.

An elite receiver also makes it easier to beat hard-nosed, glued-on-your-buttcheeks defenses. Those defenses that completely dominate at the line of scrimmage and force turnovers. The defenses that, even if not ultra-talented, gameplan extremely well and take away your middling receivers. THOSE are the kind of defenses we will be seeing if we're making the playoffs. THOSE are the kind of defenses we would need to beat in order to have a chance to win a Super Bowl. Most Super Bowl winning teams have elite play-makers at the WR and TE positions (people always like to point to the Patriots but they've always had guys like Gronk and Welker and Edelman making plays when plays are impossible to make, not to mention a football gameplanning genius in Belichick).

Of course, the price of Odell Beckham Jr is key. We can't throw everything to acquire him, but you're kidding yourself if you don't think would be a fantastic and much needed addition to our team. Think big picture here and don't be a prisoner of the 6-8 win moment we have going right now.

I think you've got a good point here. It's not that we have great receivers who are consistently getting open - it's that we have a ridiculously accurate QB who can hit receivers even when they're not open.

Give Mayfield a true stud who is talented enough to get open consistently on his own, and you make both Baker and the entire rest of the offense that much more dangerous.

But as you say, the issue is cost.

 

[Lee]

maybe if he had a #1 to throw to, he might do it more often. Maybe he is already on the team but he we have his goto Wr to grow with

His Senior year, Bakers top 3 receivers caught 62, 57, and 46 respectfully. He had only one 1,000 yard receiver at about 1,100 yards, even though he through for over 4,600 yards.

Baker is like Brees that he likes to spread it around. That said, Brees throws to Thomas this year a ton, but that might be allot out of necessity as the rest of his receiving core sucks (not backs, but receivers)

 

[Jack Brickman]

I wouldn't.

Beckham is great, no doubt. But Baker has been playing a style where he doesn't force feed one target, just hits the open man. I don't think that we either 1) Need a guy like Beckham and 2) want someone who could be so selfish that he'll throw a temper tantrum if he isn't being forced the ball.

I understand that the thought is tantalizing. But I'd rather keep drafting and taking chances on FA's than waste a bunch of assets on a WR like Beckham.

Yeah, Baker has been playing like that because our receivers are mostly JAGs. If we had a guy like Beckham who got himself open every play, I'm sure Baker would feed him and we'd scheme for him. But the closest guy we've got to that is Landry, and he sure as shit ain't no OBJ.

 

[Chris]

Yeah, I tend to agree. Baker has been making due with our mostly mediocre (or worse) receivers. Imagine if we had a game breaking dude in there.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Baker has been the same QB since College, he's never been a guy who force's targets. He just hits the open guy.

Basically what I'm saying is that OBJ is great and would be awesome to have, but he's not necessary to the future of this team. And for the cost of what OBJ would be? There is a better use of those resources.

Baker has already been a highly productive NFL QB without a guy like him. I'm more interested in getting another impact defender or young LT than using it on a high priced WR.

 

[dark2332]

Baker has been the same QB since College, he's never been a guy who force's targets. He just hits the open guy.

Basically what I'm saying is that OBJ is great and would be awesome to have, but he's not necessary to the future of this team. And for the cost of what OBJ would be? There is a better use of those resources.

Baker has already been a highly productive NFL QB without a guy like him. I'm more interested in getting another impact defender or young LT than using it on a high priced WR.

Sure.... he only got Dede Westbrook to New York for a Heisman trophy.

Although I do agree with your entire post in terms of cost/benefit with OBJ.