Odell Beckham Jr. Is Headed To Cleveland

After spending six seasons in the Big Apple with the New York Giants who is a member of the NFC East the wide receiver is now headed to Cleveland who is a member of the AFC North.

The New York Giants have agreed to trade Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, a source confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter, in a blockbuster deal that sends the star receiver out of New York less than a year after he signed a massive contract with the team. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

The Giants will receive the Browns' first-round pick in 2019 (No. 17 overall), their second third-round pick this year (95th overall) and safety Jabrill Peppers for Beckham, the source said. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

In a text message to ESPN's Josina Anderson, Beckham said of the trade, simply, "Wow." “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Beckham noted to Anderson that current Browns receiver and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry called him and said that Cleveland general manager John Dorsey and first-year coach Freddie Kitchens wanted him badly. Beckham then said Giants GM Dave Gettleman called him and said, "I am trading you to the Browns." “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Beckham, 26, signed a five-year deal with the Giants worth up to $98.5 million last August. It made him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL at the time and seemed to cement his place on the Giants' roster.”according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

But after another disastrous season in which the Giants flopped at 5-11 and Beckham had several incidents that angered the team's brass, the Giants decided to move him after paying out $21.5 million for 12 games. The deal adds another $16 million in dead money to their running total. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

The Giants weren't shopping Beckham this offseason. But they were willing to listen to offers, and there were teams interested in his services. Among them were the Browns and San Francisco 49ers, according to sources. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

However, Gettleman hadn't indicated publicly that the Giants were interested in a deal, saying at his end-of-year news conference and again at the NFL scouting combine last month: "We didn't sign Odell to trade him. OK?" “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

That changed Tuesday, though, as Dorsey came up with a package the Giants simply couldn't resist.”according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

"John Dorsey is officially a genius ...'' tweeted Browns defensive back Damarious Randall. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Beckham will join Landry, his good friend, to form arguably the top one-two receiving tandem in the league, which no doubt will delight second-year quarterback and 2018 No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield. Mayfield and Beckham are already tight; they spent part of last summer working out in California with Landry, who has been campaigning since he arrived in Cleveland for his former college teammate to join him. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

When news of the agreement broke, Mayfield posted on Twitter a photo of him shaking hands with Beckham. "Movement'' was the caption. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Beckham and Landry recorded 288 receptions apiece in their first three NFL seasons. Only Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints recorded more (321). Beckham has been explosive throughout his NFL career, with his 12 touchdown catches with at least 20 yards after the catch the most in the league since 2014. Landry has been more of a short-to-intermediate-route receiver, with a career average target depth of 7.2 yards, which ranks 87th out of 92 wide receivers with at least 200 targets in that span (since 2014). “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Current Browns receivers coach Adam Henry coached both receivers at LSU. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

They'll lead an emerging offense that includes running back Nick Chubb, who last season had the most rushing yards ever by a Browns rookie (996), and David Njoku, who in 2018 finished in the top 10 among tight ends in receptions (56) and receiving yards (639). “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Cleveland has been busy this offseason. It signed running back Kareem Hunt to a one-year deal (he's currently on the commissioner's exempt list), brought in linebacker Olivier Vernon via another trade with the Giants and signed free-agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.”according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

On Wednesday, the Browns reached agreement with former Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris on a two-year deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. He had 12 catches for 164 yards and three TDs last season.

New York appears to be in rebuilding mode, trading Vernon, not putting a franchise tag on safety Landon Collins (who will sign with the Washington Redskins) and dealing its top playmaker. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

The Giants now have three of the top 37 draft picks in April and 12 overall. Peppers, who is from New Jersey, will help fill the void left by Collins' departure. A first-round pick in 2017, he struggled as a rookie but bounced back and played well last season. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

News of the Beckham deal, which was first reported by NFL Network, had an immediate impact in Las Vegas. Cleveland's odds to win the Super Bowl went from 25-1 to 14-1 at Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. Its odds to win the AFC went from 12-1 to 7-1, behind only those of Kansas City and New England (3-1). “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

The Browns went 7-8-1 last season after not winning a game in 2017-18. They haven't reached the playoffs since 2002. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett, when asked if the Browns are the team to beat in the AFC North, told NFL Network, "Absolutely. I think the tide has turned, and we can't wait to get out there and prove it." “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Ohio native LeBron James reacted on Instagram to the deal, saying: "OH MY!!!! S*#% just got REAL!!" Beckham responded: "Lemme hold the crib down." “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says

Meanwhile, New York's Super Bowl odds went from 40-1 to 80-1 and its NFC title odds from 20-1 to 40-1, according to Westgate. “according to http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26242951/browns-acquiring-obj-giants-source-says