Blasphemy! Sacrilege! Absurd! Bananas! Readers are probably screaming obscenities at their screen for the mere thought of giving away the game-changing, once-in-a-lifetime player that is Odell Beckham, Jr. But, why rule it out?
When the Cowboys traded running back Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in 1989, it was the largest player trade in the history of the league. Dallas ended up with enough Minnesota picks to draft Emmitt Smith, safety Darren Woodson, deep threat Alvin Harper and – through a trade – D-tackle Russell Maryland, all contributors to the Dallas’ Super Bowl dynasty.
Mike Ditka traded the Saints’ entire 1999 draft plus two picks the following year to select Ricky Williams. That was the first time one player was the only draft pick of an NFL team.
So, why do I cite these two lopsided blockbuster trades? Because I think the Giants could orchestrate one of their own. One dynamic player – Odell Beckham, Jr. – for a few capable to above average players and draft picks. All the Giants have to do is find a suitor.
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
So, who are the potential suitors? It has to be a team – ideally in the AFC – that has a talented quarterback whose executives are prone to gambles or attempts at making a big splash for headlines, jersey sales, etc. Odell loves his former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins have their guy in Tannehill, maybe Miami makes sense?
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The Colts could be another possibility if Andrew Luck can bounce back from the lacerated kidney.
The Ravens and Joe Flacco could desperately use someone to replace Steve Smith, but are they willing to sacrifice enough?
I think the Raiders, Jets, and Jags are all set at quarterback and wideout, but the Browns, Chargers, and Chiefs could be in the market for a perennial Pro Bowler. Of those three, I’d have to give the edge to the Browns for throwing caution to the wind. Josh Gordon, Travis Benjamin, Gary Barnidge and OBJ? Pretty formidable, but maybe too much to have in one huddle.
Or maybe the Titans would like to sniff the playoffs? They have a playmaker in Delanie Walker and a good supporting cast with Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, and Dorial Green-Beckham.
Odell’s market value can’t get any higher. He’s broken just about every receiving record in his first 2 seasons. But, is he good for the Giants? Does he remind you of another fiery Giants target? Jeremy Shockey? We saw what happened with Eli and J-Shock. Is the same already happening with Eli and OBJ?
The Giants ended up selecting LB Clint Sintim and QB Rhett Bomar with the picks they got from the Saints in the Shockey trade. Obviously, the Giants lost on that swap.
So, isn’t the Shockey trade a sign the G-Men should keep OBJ? Well, for one, Shockey was about to enter his 7th season. He’d been riddled with injuries, the last of which was fairly serious. OBJ will be entering his 3rd season and only has a nagging hammy on his docket. Can Big Blue swing a deal that could land them 3 – 4 “need” players?
The Giants aren’t 1 player away from a championship. They’re 3-4 players away. Give up 1 legend to get 3 or 4 Super Bowl contributors? It’s worth exploring.