NFL Fantasy Football Profile: Odell Beckham Jr. of New York Giants
By Erik Lambert
Dec 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) gets past Philadelphia Eagles free safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) to score a touchdown during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
There is no question that the late arrival of Odell Beckham Jr. in 2014 saved a lot of season for NFL fantasy football owners. His outstanding production came in just a 12-game window, leading some to wonder what might happen if he can make it through the season fully healthy. Is that true, or is the New York Giants phenom due for a bit of a letdown in 2015?
NFL Network names Odell Beckham Jr. the #1 potential breakout WR of 2015! READ: http://t.co/JSPTkiAV9W pic.twitter.com/0FCZmXNbAI
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 1, 2015
2014 Production:
- 91 catches
- 1,305 yards
- 12 touchdowns
- 204 fantasy points
There is little reason to believe Beckham can’t continue his torrid pace from last year. He’s healthy, more experienced, still has Eli Manning for his quarterback and now enters the second year in the Ben McAdoo offense. His speed and precise route running are in no danger of falling off either, hence the confidence that he can be a potential 1st round pick in most leagues.
There are some concerns though. Chief among them is the return of Victor Cruz, who was lost for the season last year to injury. It’s hard to picture how that will impact Beckham’s production. After all, without Cruz on the field Manning pretty much looked the rookie’s way constantly because he had few other options. That won’t be the case once the Pro Bowler is back 100%.
So while it helps the team and the offense, this isn’t the greatest news from a fantasy perspective. Then there is also the defensive improvements happening across the NFC East. Dallas made a corner their 1st round pick in Byron Jones. Washington gets DeAngelo Hall back from IR and the Eagles just gave $63 million to free agent Byron Maxwell to come over from Seattle.
Safe to say the sledding won’t be nearly as smooth OBJ in 2015. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it, but the odds have increased against him duplicating the feat.