By Michael Stewart/@golferbad
Introduction: Well the rumor mill has come full circle as reports keep surfacing that the Giants could be entertaining offers for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Based on these reports, three teams seem to be making the most noise in possibly acquiring the talented wide receiver and they are the Raiders, Browns and 49ers. According to OvertheCap.com, the Giants have roughly $32M in cap space available based on the projected $190M league wide. Reportedly; the Giants will have an additional $5.9M remaining from 2018; which can be rolled over and added onto 2019 cap space making the total close to $38M. So if these rumors have any substance; what would it take for the Giants to even consider trading Beckham this off season? Keep in mind that if the Giants did trade Beckham before June 1st; they would absorb $16M in dead money. However; Gettleman is not afraid to pull the trigger on a deal as he demonstrated last year by trading Jason Pierre Paul to the Buccaneers and absorbing $15M in dead money. So let’s look at each team possibly interested and what they would likely need to surrender for the services of Odell Beckham Jr.
- The Raiders: The Raiders have a slew of draft picks (three in the 1st round, 10 overall) in the 2019 alone and with plenty of cap space ($76M). Would Jon Gruden even consider putting a package of picks together to obtain arguably the best wide receiver in football? So what would it take for Gettleman to send Beckham to the Raiders? Well, let’s start with the Raiders 4th overall pick in the 1st round, 2nd round pick (35th) and 3rd round pick (66th). Would this be a fair exchange for both teams? This would give the Giants 2 picks in the top 6 and 4 in the top 37 on draft day.
- The 49ers: the 49ers have been the most recent team showing interest in possibly acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. although they only have 6 picks in the 2019 draft. With approximately $62M in cap space and the 2nd overall pick in the NFL draft, Dave Gettleman could be tempted enough to pull the trigger. So what will the Giants take to send Beckham to the west coast? Would the 49ers 2nd overall pick in the 1st round and a 2nd round pick in the 2020 draft work? Sounds great, but is it better than the Raiders offer. Again, with this trade the Giants would have 2 picks in the top 6 to pick two top prospects.
- The Browns: Like the 49ers, the Browns have shown interest in Beckham not only recently, but last off season as well. Like the Raiders and the 49ers, the Browns will have plenty of cap space ($84M) and picks (12) to make it happen. So what can the Browns possibly offer to convince Gettleman to hang up on both the Raiders and the 49ers.Well, let’s start with their 1st round pick (17th) in this year’s draft and their 1st round in 2020 to sweeten the deal? Would this trade be more appealing than the Raiders or the 49ers packages? This would give the Giants two 1st round picks in this year’s draft and an extra 1st round pick in 2020.
If Gettleman entertains trading Beckham before June 1st they will absorb $16M in dead space and only have $5M saved in cap space. In retrospect, trading Beckham after June 1st would save them $17M in cap space and only $4M in dead money. The question here is how badly does Gettleman want to trade Beckham? If you were the Giants GM would you entertain any of these trade offers? Or would you hold onto Beckham at least for the 2019 season and try to win?
Let’s recap picks for the 2019 draft:
- Giants make deal with the Raiders: Giants would have a total of 14 picks (two the 1st/two in the 2nd/one in the 3rd/three in the 4th (one compensation)/three in the 5th (one compensation)/one in the 6th/and two in the 7th.
- Giants make deal with the 49ers: Giants would have a total of 12 picks (two in the 1st/one in the 2nd/three in the 4th (one compensation)/three in the 5th (one compensation)/one in the 6th/two in the 7th in the 2019 draft and a 2nd round pick in the 2020 draft.
- Giants make deal with the Browns: Giants would have a total of 12 picks (two in the 1st/one in the 2nd/three in the 4th (one compensation)/three in the 5th (one compensation)/one in the 6th/two in the 7th in 2019 and an extra 1st round selection in the 2020 draft.
Final Thoughts: All three options are tempting and would give the Giants additional picks to package a possible move back into the 1st round for another 1st round pick. The only possible negative drawback in this would be absorbing a large dead money hit of $16M; while only gaining $5M in cap space. We’re still a long ways away from the draft and if these reports continue to surface, we may see other teams join in on the conversation. So what would you do if you were the Giants GM? Holding onto Beckham and look to rebound in 2019 and look to earn a playoff spot. Or trade Beckham and use his cap space and extra picks to reload the roster with much needed pieces and still compete in 2019. Verdict: Gettleman will receive a lot of calls on Beckham; which has already occurred since last year’s draft. Unless Gettleman gets blown away with a offer he can’t refuse and I’m sure he will be tempted; I believe in the end he will hold onto Beckham at least for another season and look to compete in 2019.