After going 0-16 just two seasons ago, the Cleveland Browns improved their record to 7-8-1 after several great moves in free agency and the NFL Draft. The Browns are looking to continue their improvement next season, as they just traded for Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. Like every time there’s a trade of this caliber, we have to grade the trade. Let’s give grades to both the Giants and Browns on the deal they got in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade.
I think the Browns won the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, but not by much. Both teams actually did pretty well. This trade is more of a win now move for the Browns, but for the Giants, it’s a move that will help them build for the future. Let’s take a look at my grades and break down what each team received.
Cleveland Browns: A
One of the biggest needs the Browns had this offseason, was getting a legit number one WR for their young QB, Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had Jarvis Landry, and while he’s a good WR, he’s not the number one guy teams are looking for. Odell Beckham Jr. is that guy. You can easily make the case that Odell Beckham is the best WR in the NFL.
His presence for this team almost completes this offense. Mayfield had a phenomenal rookie season, and will only get better. WR Antonio Callaway and RB Nick Chubb had solid rookie seasons. Cleveland signed RB Kareem Hunt this offseason, although he may not be around every game because of suspension issues. With a young core and established veterans in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., this offense could be one of the best in the NFL next season.
Now let’s get into what the Browns gave up. The first thing that sticks out is the first-round pick. The Browns gave the 17th overall pick to the Giants. In addition to that, they gave up a third-round pick and DB Jabrill Peppers.
Just focusing on the picks, it may seem like a lot, especially when you consider what the Raiders got Antonio Brown for. However, if you think about it, there was a good chance the Browns would have drafted a WR with the 17th overall pick anyway. The Browns won the Odell Beckham Jr. trade because they got a WR who’s far better than any WR they could have drafted in this draft.
Jabrill Peppers is a young DB who’s shown promise, but I think Odell Beckham Jr. is a far better player. A talent like Odell Beckham Jr. is far better than a player like Jabrill Peppers, despite what side of the ball they play on.
New York Giants: B+
I’m not giving the Giants as high of a grade in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, but I do think they still did really well.
One of the main reasons why the Giants get a B+ and not an A in this trade, is because they gave up one of, if not the best WR in the NFL. You never want to lose a talent like that. You can make the argument the Giants didn’t want to deal with Beckham’s drama anymore, which is valid, but are they better without him? The answer is no.
Remember when Odell Beckham was injured two seasons ago? Eli Manning was significantly worse. Just look at his stats. The entire offense struggled because he wasn’t there. I kinda feel sorry for RB Saquon Barkley, because now he’s the only threat on this offense. Teams no longer have to worry about Odell Beckham, so now they can focus just on stopping Barkley.
Where the Giants won this trade comes from the picks and getting DB Jabrill Peppers. After losing S Landon Collins to the Redskins, the Giants had to get someone to replace him. Peppers isn’t the same caliber of player Collins is, but he does give them someone with at least some experience who can play a nice role for this defense.
In addition to getting Jabrill Peppers, the Giants got the 17th overall pick and a third-round pick in the draft. Let’s focus on the first-rounder. Having the No. 6 pick and No. 17 pick, the Giants can now get two players at positions of need to build this team for the future.
Most people believe the Giants will go QB at No. 6, whether that be Dwayne Haskins, Kyler Murray, Drew Lock or someone else. If they do go QB, they could then target a WR with the 17th pick. If they got both a QB and WR in the first-round, it’d give this offense a young QB and WR to grow together with their young star RB, Saquon Barkley.
Cleveland won this trade for the now, but the Giants received great compensation to build their team for the future.
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