If it’s a new day, it means there is a brand new set of Odell Beckham Jr. (OBJ) rumors to sift through.
It depends on your source as to whether or not Cleveland is shopping him around, or whether the Vikings are seriously interested.
One of the few positions the Indianapolis Colts has not fortified through free agency is WR.
Which leads to the $64,000 question:
Should the Colts pursue OBJ?
Opinions vary.
I think the Colts should try to trade for OBJ if the Browns are shopping him. Good team and a QB who’s could manage his personality very well.
Let’s be honest here, OBJ is kind of a strange character but Phillip Rivers is a weird dude too. https://t.co/neYXpWBv2E— William Orr (@williamorr2110) March 22, 2020
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of adding OBJ to the Colts 2020 roster.
Pros:
Not only does he have great hands, but he also sometimes only needs one of them to make outstanding catches.
One-handed.
Where the legend of @OBJ began 👋📺: #DALvsNYG (2014) | Tonight at 7pm ET @SNFonNBC on @NBCSN pic.twitter.com/orWt4bWPGF
— NFL (@NFL) April 5, 2020
At his best, he is capable of 1000+ yards receiving and 13+ TDs.
Adding OBJ would give the Colts 2 deep threats: T.Y. Hilton and OBJ.
It would give Philip Rivers and the Colts a desperately needed additional WR option.
Though it feels like he has been around the league forever, he is only 27 and entering his 7th season.
His athleticism and raw natural talent give opposing defenses a lot of anxiety.
Cons:
His best seasons were his first 3 in the NFL: 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Though he reportedly fought through injuries during those seasons, his productivity was not affected.
In 2017, he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in October that ended his season.
Some may argue that he has not played as well since that injury despite having 1000 yard seasons in 2018 and 2019.
He caught 6 and 4 TDs respectively in those seasons.
Those who argue his productivity has been down may blame it on his QBs that were not terribly effective either: Eli Manning in 2018 with the Giants and Baker Mayfield in 2019 with the Browns.
There is also the personality element that manifests itself on and off the field.
In 2018, he walked off the field into the locker room before halftime while the Giants offense was still on the field.
It was reported that he was suffering from dehydration.
Then, there was that infamous 2019 sideline quarrel between OBJ and Browns Head Coach Freddie Kitchens over a failed 2 point conversion.
And there was his embarrassing video in March 2018 in a Paris hotel with a model where an unidentified white powdery substance was noticed.
Other Factors:
A big question is what Cleveland may want in exchange for OBJ.
It most likely would be multiple draft picks that could span beyond 2021.
While his raw talent makes him worth considering, is OBJ worth mortgaging future Colts’ draft picks?
Another consideration is next week’s NFL Draft.
There are several viable WR candidates in the draft.
Pro Football Focus has gone so far as to say that USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. is a perfect fit for the Colts.
Conclusion:
Though OBJ is an exciting and dynamic player, it does not feel as though the Colts should go down this road.
There is something to be said for an outstanding player who is the subject of trade rumors twice in two years.
No one disagrees that the Colts need a WR, but it appears they can fill the gap through the draft.
NEXT: Mel Kiper Reveals His Colts Picks In Latest Mock Draft
