MIAMI – Is there another wide receiver room in the NFL with more star power than the Miami Dolphins?
A source told ESPN on Friday that the team has agreed to a one-year deal with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., adding him to a position group that already includes five-time All-Pro Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who has posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his NFL career. The source said the deal is worth $3 million, with a maximum value of $8.25 million with incentives.
Beckham’s deal with Miami is a far cry from the one-year, $15 million contract he signed to join the Baltimore Ravens last season, but the three-time Pro Bowler represents a far better fit on an offense that Will throw the ball often.
What does this move really mean for Beckham and the Dolphins?
Why did the Dolphins sign him?
Hill and Waddle have been the most productive wide receiver tandem in the NFL since joining forces in 2022, but neither wide receiver behind them has eclipsed 32 catches over the past two seasons. Miami’s reliance on its star duo became evident late last season, when Hill and Waddle both battled injuries.
Beckham’s 4,122 yards passing through the first three seasons of his career is the third-most in league history, but injuries have slowed what has become an NFL historic career. He missed the entire 2022 season after tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI, and has only 1,421 combined receiving yards since 2020.
He may not be as capable a player as he was at the start of his career with the New York Giants, but he is talented enough to serve as the third option on a team full of playmakers. If he can stay healthy, he’s an opportunity for the taking as defenses turn their attention to Hill, Waddle and running backs Raheem Mostert and D’Von Achane.
How does Beckham fit in Miami?
Because the Dolphins have so many options, “No. 3 receiver” is more of a concept than an actual position.
Depending on the matchup, Johnnu Smith, or Mostert and Achen could be taken out of the backfield in a few weeks. If Beckham can beat out fellow wideouts Braxton Berrios, Rivers Craycraft, Eric Ezukanma and rookies Malik Washington and Tahj Washington, he will remain firmly in the “No. 3 receiver” rotation.
He also brings a certain sense of celebrity to the Dolphins’ locker room. However, so did Hill and Jalen Ramsey – neither of whom have caused any disruption in the locker room so far.
Does Beckham still have gas in his tank?
Don’t take our word for it. What does Beckham have to say on this matter?
“If I’ve realized anything about myself — regardless of anyone’s opinion or anything like that — it’s that I know I can still play football, and I know I’ve still got the tank. I’m in (s—),” he said after the Ravens’ 17-10 home playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in late January.
He finished last season with 565 yards and three touchdowns on 35 catches, which isn’t necessary given his price tag in 2023. But it’s still better production than what Miami’s receivers offered last season after Waddle and Hill. No other Miami pass-catcher had more than 35 catches or more than 366 yards receiving for the Dolphins last season (tight end Durham Smythe).
According to ESPN Stats and Information, Beckham’s 565 receiving yards last season ranked second among any NFL players who had 35 or fewer receptions. 27 of his 35 catches were first downs, the most of any player with 35 or fewer receptions.
Beckham had the eighth-most yards per catch of any receiver last season.
what’s the risk?
You saw the dollar amount, right?
If Beckham fails to meet expectations, the Dolphins will lose $3 million. If he hits his incentives, Miami still owes him only $8.25 million, including an additional bonus for the production he would have brought to the field.
Miami spent two draft picks on wide receivers just last week, and adding Beckham to the mix will hurt their playing time if either of them make the 53-man roster. However, adding a veteran who has achieved both individual and team success in the NFL – he won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams after the 2021 season – is never a terrible thing when you’re looking to develop young players in his place. Are trying to.
Dolphins GM Chris Grier deserves praise for this deal; This is about as low-risk, high-reward as it gets.
