Odell Beckham Jr.'s NFL Career Journey

By Jason Bolton July 15, 2024 08:14

Photo by PERRY KNOTTS VIA AP

OBJ, short for Odell Beckham Jr., brings skill, personality, and an unforgettable play that the National Football League (NFL) will never forget. It has been a long, winding road for Beckham, born on November 5th of 1992 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, from playing college football at LSU to his professional career filled with accolades and ups and downs. We will provide you with an in-depth examination of his professional football career by position he played on each specific team year by year. After that, we can talk about how well the teams performed; the biggest moments were when changing a team took place and whether it altered these same clubs' fortunes negatively or positively.

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Professional football career of Odell Beckham Jr.

LSU Tigers

Beginning his career at Louisiana State University (LSU), Beckham was a standout wide receiver and kick returner. A few of the awards he received during his three years at LSU include the SEC Coaches' All-Freshman Team and the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in college football. A strong career at LSU catapulted him to the NFL.

New York Giants (2014-2018)

Beckham was drafted by the New York Giants in the 12th overall pick of the first round during the NFL draft held in May 2014. He then wasted no time making a splash in the NFL, pulling down highlight reel grabs and breaking rookie marks while sitting out for several games he missed with injury. Beckham paid quick dividends for the Giants, crushing rookie receiving records with an injury-shortened 2014 season and leading his class in every relevant receiving category. Offensive rookie of the year.

Cleveland Browns (2019-2021)

A blockbuster trade in 2019 sent Beckham to the Browns, where ample expectations awaited an intriguing pairing with quarterback Baker Mayfield. But his tenure with the Browns was up and down. Injuries and setbacks aside, Beckham made his presence felt with this fourth different team, though it was not without struggles.

Los Angeles Rams (2021)

The Los Angeles Rams picked up the ex-LSU wideout halfway through 2021. It ended in a Super Bowl LVI victory with the Rams, which is one of his highest points. He experienced fits of injury-fueled non-production from the field, but his presence was never undervalued.

Baltimore Ravens (2023)

Beckham then signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2023. Unfortunately, he started his season on a sour note after picking up an ankle injury that saw him miss several games.

Miami Dolphins (2024-Present)

Beckham is now a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, his move being his most recent career development.

Impact and Analysis

Beckham is more than just his on-field output. He has had a major effect off the field for all four teams he's been at. There was media attention surrounding him and the team everywhere he went, fueled by his energy on the field and the accompanying wave of expectations that altered team dynamics. Beckham, for all the tumult that surrounds him, is still a player with undeniable talent and star power at every stop.

His career has been a mix of that jaw-dropping talent, historic accomplishments, and some bumps in the road as an NFL player. Beckham has bounced around the league over several teams, but his legacy in the NFL is more than numerical. He works his way back to the NFL through other means, slotting down as a wide receiver and remaining up for grabs on any roster, being much-talked about throughout football's landscape.