The New York Giants need a Malik Nabers replacement like a bike needs handlebars. If their dismal 26-14 Week 5 performance taught fans anything, it’s that if Jaxson Dart is going to succeed under center, he needs more help from his receivers.
No offense to the players... but... Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, Beaux Collins, and a hampered Darius Slayton isn’t exactly a recipe for success. The loss to the New Orleans Saints exposed the lack of depth — the wideouts caught nine passes for 68 yards. They accounted for more drops than anyone would care to count, and on one occasion, one of them stopped mid-route, leading to an interception — cough, Beaux Collins, cough.
Related: 7 receivers Giants could target after Malik Nabers’ absence turned ugly fast
One name that continues to surface in Nabers’ replacement talks has been former Giants legend Odell Beckham Jr. The 32-year-old is coming off arguably the worst campaign of his career with the Miami Dolphins. That might not have stopped Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll from entertaining a reunion — until NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero dropped this update:
Free-agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. told @thepivot he has decided to accept a six-game suspension for a PED test last season.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 7, 2025
Beckham says he has never knowingly taken any PED. Beckham still plans to play this season.https://t.co/5EllAk9ZTB
Giants' interest in Odell Beckham Jr. drops as PED suspension is accepted
It’s interesting for Beckham to accept the suspension and not fight it — even though he claims he never knowingly took any illegal substances — especially considering he still intends to play this season. The reality is that he’s an oft-injured journeyman whose suspension would start once signed. And it’s already Week 6.
Assuming he latches on with a team before Week 6 kicks off, the earliest he’d be available is Week 12. That puts a lot of pressure on whoever signs him to get him involved in the offensive game plan right as the playoff race tightens. That’s a tricky situation for any team.
In theory, OBJ is as much an option as anyone at this point. However, it feels unlikely that either side is truly interested in a reunion. The three-time Pro Bowler is well past his prime, with injuries clouding what could have been a once-locked Hall-of-Fame ballot.
Since he wouldn’t be able to help the Giants until Week 12, that rules him out as a legitimate option for their glaringly open receiver slot. Dart and the offense need help yesterday. OBJ’s suspension takes him out of the running, forcing the team to look elsewhere.