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Cleveland Browns: Odell Beckham’s drop in production didn’t start here

By Justice Sunderland

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 13: Odell Beckham #13 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Seahawks defeated the Browns 32-28. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. had one of his quietest seasons so far in 2019. Some might attribute that to the playing for the struggling Cleveland Browns but this decline started before this past season.

When Odell Beckham Jr. entered the NFL in 2014 there was no way we could have anticipated what we were going to get from him. He was the third receiver selected behind Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans so you thought at least those guys would be better than him.

But once he stepped on the field he had an instant impact the likes of which the league hadn’t seen since a young Randy Moss entered the scene. Beckham was box office TV and he got all the praise he deserved.

In those three magical seasons Beckham racked up 288 receptions 4,122 yards and 35 touchdowns, those are “video game numbers” because you usually can only put up numbers like that in virtual football.

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But the three years that have followed have been anything but impressive for the budding star. His production has dipped and that is mostly due to injuries, he played just four games in 2017 and 12 in 2018. He played the entire season in 2019, his first with the Cleveland Browns, but had surgery following the season the repair a hernia injury he had most of the season.

While he was still with the New York Giants in 2018 he had very similar numbers to his first year with the Browns, almost 80 catches and under 1,100 yards. These are good numbers for a normal receiver but no one would ever confuse Beckham for a normal receiver.

Quarterback play is also a factor, Eli Manning hasn’t been an NFL-caliber quarterback for several years now and Baker Mayfield struggled with accuracy and timing in 2019. Timing can be expected to be an issue in their first year together but Beckham wasn’t getting the kind of separation we are used to seeing. We also didn’t see any of those explosive plays, besides an 89-yard touchdown against the New York Jets, that made us fall in love with him.

Regardless of poor quarterback play and injuries, Beckham just hasn’t produced to the level of a superstar. He has 176 receptions, 2,389 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past three seasons, just not up to par with his first three years.

Some in the national media are suggesting that Cleveland trades Beckham which is absolutely ridiculous. No matter what the reason is for his drop off in production he has shown that he can be great and even if he was to only maintain what he has been doing the last three years he would still be a pretty good wide receiver.

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But a player that talented won’t be held down for long. He has unbelievable route running ability and the speed to take a slant pass for a touchdown. Look for Beckham to get comfortable in Cleveland and get back to business in 2020.

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