Latest On Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr.

An AFC North team is engaged in conversations with the Giants regarding Odell Beckham Jr., according to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Beckham, she hears, remains available, despite the Giants’ previous denials.

Dave Gettleman‘s consistent insistence Beckham is not available has not stopped trade buzz, which has swirled around the superstar Giant for two offseasons.

If an AFC North team is in the running, one jumps out more than the others. The Browns are the most willing of these franchises to make big-splash outside additions, with the Bengals, Ravens and Steelers being more conservative regarding outside hires. Cleveland also has its rivals outflanked in cap space, and despite Jarvis Landry‘s 2018 deal, the Browns could seemingly make Beckham’s $18MM-per-year contract work.

However, the Steelers just lost arguably the best wide receiver in franchise history and only received third- and fifth-round picks for him. Beckham would be a fascinating replacement for Antonio Brown, though it would be interesting to see the Steelers abandon the Brown drama for a mercurial talent like Beckham. Although, Beckham is generally well-liked and respected in the Giants’ locker room.

Baltimore could use receiving help, and with Lamar Jackson in the fold, the Ravens may have to draft or trade for it — given free agent pass-catchers’ potential reluctance to sign with a run-based team. But Baltimore also may not want to allocate immense resources to the receiver spot, due to the nature of its new-look offense. The Bengals have A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd and John Ross under contract, refuting a report the latter was on the trade block.

Beckham, 26, has five years remaining on his extension — one signed barely six months ago. Previous reports have indicated the Giants will only deal him if they are blown away by an offer.

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