The Great Odell Beckham Jr. Won’t Bounce Back in 2023
Once upon a time, Odell Beckham Jr. was a football phenomenon. Bursting onto the NFL scene with the New York Giants in 2014, he amazed fans and fantasy football managers alike for three Pro Bowl seasons. Beckham’s acrobatic receptions, high number of targets, and impressive stats made him one of the top players in the sport. However, those days seem to be long gone, and fantasy managers should adjust their expectations accordingly for the 2023 season.
Beckham, now 30 years old, is currently a member of the Baltimore Ravens. While there is always hope for a player to return to peak form, this doesn’t appear to be one of those situations. Since leaving the Giants in 2019, Beckham has played in only 21 regular-season games over the past three seasons, catching a mere 67 passes. Despite his well-known name, many fantasy managers still cling to the hope that Beckham will have a prominent role in the Ravens’ offense this season, but this seems like a stretch for several key reasons.
Firstly, Beckham did not play last season as he recovered from his second torn ACL. While the Ravens and Beckham claim he is back to full health, the team will likely handle him with caution during the summer. Additionally, joining the Ravens doesn’t align well with Beckham’s skill set. The Ravens have been primarily a running team during Lamar Jackson’s tenure as quarterback, with Jackson’s running ability being a major strength. Even in Jackson’s magical 2019 season, he threw for a modest 3,127 yards. Marquise Brown, who is no longer with the Ravens, is the only wide receiver to have reached 50 receptions or 550 receiving yards over the past four seasons.
The Ravens’ low-volume passing offense focuses on tight end Mark Andrews, who has consistently put up strong numbers during the Jackson era. While diversifying the offense with receiving playmakers is a smart move, the Ravens already have other options in addition to Beckham. The team drafted Zay Flowers in the first round and has 2021 first-round choice Rashod Bateman, who can be electric when on the field.
When we talk about players who won’t bounce back, it usually refers to those who had a slump after a productive season, but that isn’t exactly the case for Beckham. In 2019, his first season with the Cleveland Browns, he finished as the 31st best PPR wide receiver, with 74 catches for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns. It wasn’t an ideal offense for Beckham’s talents, and the current situation with the Ravens doesn’t seem much better. ESPN Fantasy projects Beckham to have 52 catches for 676 yards and four touchdowns this season, which is a significant decline from his earlier glory days.
In addition to Beckham, there are other wide receivers who may not bounce back in 2023. New Orleans Saints’ Michael Thomas, who set records during his magical 2019 season, has struggled with injuries and minimal production in recent seasons. Allen Robinson II, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is another case of a once-promising player who has seen a decline in performance. Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool of the Chicago Bears face challenges due to their team’s quarterback situation.
The Carolina Panthers’ Adam Thielen and DJ Chark also face uncertainty as they try to replace the production of DJ Moore. Clyde Edwards-Helaire of the Kansas City Chiefs, once a rookie darling, has battled injuries and slipped down the depth chart. Lastly, Dawson Knox of the Buffalo Bills had a decent season in 2021 but fell short of expectations.
In conclusion, Odell Beckham Jr. and several other wide receivers may not bounce back in 2023. While it’s always possible for players to regain their form, there are valid reasons to be cautious about their potential in the upcoming season. Fantasy managers should adjust their expectations accordingly and consider drafting younger, healthier, and higher-upside players instead.
