When you think of the 2010's Giants, Odell Beckham Jr is one of the first names to come to mind, if not the first. Selected No. 13 overall in 2014 by New York, the LSU standout immediately took the NFL by storm. He still holds the franchise record for receiving yards and touchdowns as a rookie, and that one-handed grab on Sunday Night Football remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history.
Now, more than a decade later, Beckham’s career has been re-evaluated as a mere journeyman at this stage in his career due to injury woes. Despite that, he is a Super Bowl champion and the best receiver in franchise history, who has not closed the door on a return to the Big Apple.
But in Pro Football Focus’ latest reimagining of the 2014 NFL Draft, one of football’s biggest stars finds himself donning purple and gold instead of blue and white.
OBJ’s Giants legacy gets rewritten in cruel 2014 redraft twist
According to PFF, OBJ accrued a 92.6 PFF grade across his first five seasons– good fifth among all pass-catchers. Based on this, he’s selected much higher in their redraft—landing with the Minnesota Vikings at No. 8 overall.
What’s even crazier is that he wasn’t even the first receiver drafted in this redraft. Mike Evans (No. 2) and Davante Adams (No. 5) both went off the board before the three-time Pro Bowler.
Odell Beckham heads to the NFC North in 2014 redraft
The Vikings originally used the No. 8 pick in 2014 on linebacker Anthony Barr, who went on to have a strong career in Minnesota. But having Beckham Jr catching passes from Teddy Bridgewater, Case Keenum, and later Kirk Cousins in the Twin Cities would have made for a sight to behold.
Unfortunately for the G-Men, the 32-year-old was a key piece of the 2016 team who went 11-5 as his 101 catches, 1,367 yards, and 10 touchdowns that season were central to the team's success, But injuries eventually took their toll, and the Giants dealt Beckham to the Cleveland Browns in 2019—a move that, while controversial, did bring back defensive anchor Dexter Lawrence.
But I can't help but wonder if Beckham’s presence on the Vikings would change their later selection of another LSU product in Justin Jefferson. It’s a fascinating what-if, one that could’ve dramatically altered the landscape of both franchises over the last few seasons.
Lucky, for Giants fans, Beckham Jr’s legacy in blue and white is cemented as one of the most electrifying talents of this generation, and he has even admitted he never wanted to leave. In 2025, Malik Nabers is ready to follow in his footsteps.