Grading the Odell Beckham Jr. trade for Cleveland Browns, New York Giants

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 07: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants reacts against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 07: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants reacts against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an incomplete pass against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 07: Jabrill Peppers #22 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an incomplete pass against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

New York Giants Grade

It’s clear given the way that things have transpired that, when the New York Giants signed Odell Beckham Jr. to his massive five-year, $90 million contract extension last August, they had no intention of seeing that deal through. He was signed with the intention of trading him, which they’ve accomplished. In that regard, you have to like what Big Blue was able to pull off here.

On top of that, they are getting a massive haul in return. Getting just the Browns first-round pick (17th overall) would be a great haul considering what Antonio Brown went for to Oakland (yes, it was a different situation, but still). However, to get that selection, the 96th overall pick in the 2019 draft and a former first-round pick still on his rookie deal in Jabrill Peppers is a true boom for the Giants.

Whether New York had Odell Beckham Jr. or not, they were going to be entering a period of transition as an organization moving into the 2019 season. With Eli Manning seemingly on his last legs and after taking Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in 2018, it certainly appears as if New York is looking to hit the reset button, build around the running back and an incoming quarterback of the future.

What they pulled off on Tuesday night by trading their star wideout ensures that they can start doing that quicker with the draft capital that they were able to get in return for OBJ. The Giants are going to look brand new quite quickly, but that’s perhaps the best thing for them at this point.

Final Grade: A