The Buffalo Bills passed on wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in the 2014 NFL Draft and again when he entered free agency in 2022, but one insider feels the third time is the charm.
According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, Buffalo could be the greatest option for Beckham, who is once again a free agency following one poor season with the Baltimore Ravens. Though Beckham is receiving heavy interest from the Miami Dolphins and has allegedly received a contract offer, Davenport suggested that the Bills may be ready to step in if the two sides cannot reach an agreement.
“If the deal with the Dolphins falls through, there’s another AFC East team that could use Beckham’s services,” Davenport wrote in an email. The Buffalo Bills signed Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins to replace Gabe Davis, but they are slot receivers. The Bills need a big body outside opposite Stefon Diggs, and Beckham would fill that role—and have a legitimate shot at a second Super Bowl.”
Bills May Need to Move Fast
While Davenport identified the Bills as the best fit for Beckham, he cautioned that any prospective interest could be “moot.” According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Beckham and the Dolphins spoke last week and both want to reach a contract agreement.
However, Fowler cautioned that the agreement is far from final.
“Odell Beckham met with the Miami Dolphins this past week, and I was told they are definitely interested,” Fowler stated on SportsCenter, according to Bleacher Report. They’ll probably have to work out the price point. So they’re not willing to go overboard at this stage. They don’t have much cash. They’ve got Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but they want to combine them with a veteran receiver. So there’s some mutual interest.”
🗣️ Mike McDaniel on Odell Beckham Jr.‘s visit: “We made him an offer. He’s had a phenomenal career and he has really good football ahead of him, so he has options. Business takes time, but I would enjoy coaching him.” #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/32qrZ2UBdA
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) March 25, 2024
Davenport went on to say that Beckham did not live up to the Ravens’ $15 million promise, only catching 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games.
Bills Connected to Odell Beckham Jr. in the Past
The Bills faced criticism for passing on Beckham and Mike Evans in the 2014 NFL Draft, instead selecting Sammy Watkins with the fourth overall choice. Though Watkins was seen as a surefire prospect, his career was marred by injuries and poor play, and he ended up lasting only three seasons with Buffalo.
The Bills had been linked to Beckham in prior years, including some very public recruiting by Von Miller. The Bills edge rusher, who played alongside Beckham on the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams in 2021, was confident that Beckham would join the Bills the following year.
“He is coming to the Bills. “He’s coming to the Bills,” Miller stated on Richard Sherman’s show in October 2022. “It’s been said and done. He’s coming to the Bills. We’re missing a couple of receivers… When all is said and done, we know where Odell is going to be, man.”
Miller’s faith was misplaced, as Beckham ended up missing the whole 2022 season while recovering a torn ACL before joining the Ravens the following season.
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