Let's help Odell Beckham Jr. choose the best NFL contender to join
Should he join the Chiefs? Saints? Seahawks? Packers?
This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Charles Curtis is filling in for Andy Nesbitt.
Where’s Odell Beckham Jr. going?
The free agent wide receiver is now figuring out where he’d like to sign after passing through waivers, and it could mean that he could theoretically change the course of the road to the Super Bowl.
Or! He could join the third team in his career, get annoyed again with his situation and force his way out one more time.
So here’s an idea: Let’s help him make the best decision possible. I’m going to rank the teams reported by ESPN’s Dianna Russini on Wednesday, plus one other “squad” (it’ll make sense in a second) by desirability:
1. Green Bay Packers: Not the Chiefs? I’ll explain: I think the Packers are a better team right now with Aaron Rodgers presumably back this Sunday. If you’re looking for the contender that’s got the easier path to a Super Bowl right now, it’s this team.
2. Kansas City Chiefs: On one hand: You catch footballs from Patrick Mahomes. On the other: There are a lot more mouths to feed and the team’s defense is going to lead to some frustrating weeks. Not as desirable as it might have been in past years.
3. New England Patriots: The report is they’re pursuing him, and I’d think hard about this one — Beckham might be WR1 the day he steps into the building.
4. Mystery Team: There’s always the chance there’s a contender who’s quietly getting ready to sign him! The intrigue!
5. Seattle Seahawks: Sort of like the Chiefs’ situation but worse? DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett get a lot of balls thrown their way.
6. New Orleans Saints: They’re 5-3, yes. They have an elite defense. They desperately need a receiver with Michael Thomas out for the year. But … are we sure they’re not more than a Wild Card team?
There you have it, Odell. You’re welcome.
Quick hits: NASCAR superlatives! … More on that terrible Bears taunting call … Picks against the spread … and more!
(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
— Michelle Martinelli’s annual NASCAR Superlatives are here, with drivers dishing about each other.
— NFL fans ripped the league’s VP of officiating after the explanation of that awful Bears taunting call.
— Our NFL picks against the spread for Week 10.
— Damian Lillard thinks the NBA’s officiating has been “unacceptable.”