Two top AFC teams were reportedly in the mix for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. before he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on Friday.
After going unsigned for nearly two months, Odell Beckham Jr. and the Dolphins agreed to a one-year deal that carries a max value of $8.25 million. Apparently, two of Miami’s main rivals in the AFC were also close to landing the three-time Pro Bowler.
Speaking on ESPN’s “NFL Live” program, insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills were also interested in the former New York Giants star:
“I was told Kansas City…that was appealing to Beckham in the process. Buffalo a little bit as well, but Miami…they were the most persistent in this process to get it done.”
Both the Chiefs and Bills have significantly changed their wide receiver units this offseason, so it’s no wonder both were pursuing Odell Beckham Jr. Kansas City signed former Baltimore Ravens 1,000-yard wideout Marquise ‘Hollywood Brown’ to a one-year deal before trading up (via Buffalo) into the No. 28 spot to select Texas speedster Xavier Worthy.
Buffalo traded disgruntled superstar wideout Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans last month, but not before watching No. 2 WR Gabe Davis sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. The Bills signed Curtis Samuel to a three-year deal worth $24 million and used the No. 33 pick on Florida State’s Keon Coleman.
Odell Beckham Jr. Is A Great Fit In Miami
It’s been a while since we saw the Pro Bowl version of Odell Beckham Jr. At this phase of his career, the Super Bowl 56 champion knows that he’s no longer a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver on a contending team.
But OBJ is a great fit for a Miami offense that features a top-tier receiving duo in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. With opposing defenses having to focus primarily on those speedsters, Tua Tagovailoa will certainly be targeting OBJ in pivotal situations.
Beckham put up 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns in a rush-first Baltimore Ravens offense. He is more than capable of exceeding those numbers in Miami’s pass-heavy offense
