New York Giants: Assessing Odell Beckham Jr.’s trade value

Once again, rumors about the New York Giants potentially trading wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are going to emerge during an offseason.

Ah, the traditions of this wonderful time of the year. Snow is falling across different regions of the United States. Christmas decorations can still be seen throughout the land. People are enjoying festive-period vacations. Rumors about the New York Giants possibly trading wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are hitting the Internet. A magical period this is, indeed.

It’s about to be 2019. Odds are, you — either a Giants fan or somebody who follows the NFL but has no ties to the club — have already decided what you think about Beckham’s future with the organization. You either believe he’s a cornerstone of what could become a championship roster, or you’re ready to move on if a different team meets New York’s asking price. Nothing you read here will change your mind.

The facts are in the numbers. Earlier this year, Beckham put pen to paper on a five-year extension, a contract that probably won’t keep him with the Giants through the 2023 season because of the nature of NFL deals.

The dynamic playmaker turns 27 years old next November, meaning the young star who has already set team and league records should, theoretically, just be entering his prime. He’s also missed a total of 21 regular season games, including the final four contests of this year because of a bad quad, since entering the NFL in 2014.

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Other factors affect where Beckham will call home by the time training camp opens. His antics both on and off the field are well-documented. He didn’t verbally support quarterback Eli Manning when given the chance to do so during the campaign, an unforgivable sin in the eyes of some. At best, he’s a diva No. 1 receiver like so many who came before him. At worst, he’s a distraction.

For what it’s worth, there is no indication anybody inside of the team’s locker room, including the two-time Super Bowl MVP signal-caller, has any issues with Beckham. While writing about the Giants potentially trading Beckham during the winter, Tom Rock of Newsday added the following:

"Tight end Evan Engram is one of the players who has stepped up his production in the past three games with Beckham sidelined.“It’s a testament to our hard work and executing when it matters,” Engram said. “There are going to be injuries. Guys are going to miss games. And other guys will have to step up.”But Engram didn’t hesitate when asked about the successes he and the Giants have had during that stretch.  “Obviously, we’re a way better offense with 13,” he said."

The Giants showed in December they can win without Beckham; when facing a Washington Redskins opponent starting whatever is left of Mark Sanchez at quarterback. Anybody suggesting the Giants didn’t miss Beckham during defeats to the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are either in denial or just weren’t paying attention.

Beckham’s talent is undeniable, but so are his cost against the salary cap and the harsh reality staring the Giants in the face before New Year’s Day. First-year free-agent quarterbacks and rookie signal-callers don’t win Super Bowl titles in the modern NFL. Big Blue won’t be playing in February 2020 with Manning under center. Beckham will be 28 years old before the club is even flirting with competing on the final Sunday of a season.

Is patience really a virtue in this scenario?

The Giants trading Beckham wouldn’t be about ridding the team of a nuisance. Instead, it’d be a move to build for the future and around running back Saquon Barkley. For all his flaws, Beckham won’t come cheap. A first-round draft pick, alone, will only begin discussions, but general manager Dave Gettleman and his staff had better realize the receiver isn’t Khalil Mack. He isn’t fetching two number-ones unless a different front office (*cough* the Oakland Raiders *cough*) has a meltdown.

Could the Giants get a first- and second-round pick for Beckham? Maybe from a win-now team. Enter the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have Baker Mayfield, a hoped-to-be savior, on a cheap rookie contract. Jarvis Landry, Beckham’s friend and teammate at LSU, and receivers coach Adam Henry, who worked with Beckham in college and in the NFL, are employed by the Browns.

Cleveland can afford to take Beckham’s contract. The former “Mistake on the Lake” will be a postseason-or-bust side next July. It’s a perfect fit, but only if the Browns meet New York’s demands.

First- and third-round picks should be the bare minimum the Giants accept for Beckham before the 2019 NFL Draft. Anything less, and the team would be receiving pennies on the dollar. Remember, though, that trading away one of the faces of the NFL who is beloved by many within the fanbase comes at a different price, one with no tangible value.

Giants ownership is sensitive about the team’s perception among its most loyal customers. Recall the Manning situation from last season if you have any doubts about that. Is receiving two high-value draft picks for Beckham worth the inevitable reactions from fans? John Mara will have to answer that if the team pulls the trigger on the transaction.