Odell Beckham Jr. Trade: Exploring history of wide receiver blockbusters

Odell Beckham Jr. became the latest wide receiver to be involved in a blockbuster trade during this modern era of the NFL, and people are freaking out.

It’s not hard to understand why. The New York Giants had just signed him to a lucrative new extension. He’d just had his fourth 1,000-yard season in five years. He is 26-years old and in his prime. There was no reason to think the New York Giants couldn’t build their new foundation around him and running back Saquon Barkley moving forward.

Instead, GM Dave Gettleman went back on his word from months ago and dealt the three-time Pro Bowler to the Cleveland Browns for 1st and 3rd round picks. The move garnered some vitriolic reactions from Giants fans and near fainting spells from Browns fans. Many have been quick to proclaim that Cleveland is destined for a Super Bowl run at this point.

It is a fun thought, but is it true? Perhaps a good way to help gauge it is to examine other major deals involving wide receivers in recent years. Do they truly move the needle as many believe or are they more just fancy complimentary pieces?

Keyshawn Johnson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers lost the NFC championship game in 1999 by a score of 11-5. It was clear their offense needed a boost, so they made the bold decision to trade two 1st round picks for outspoken New York Jets receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who was fresh off his second Pro Bowl. Johnson spent four years with the team, topping 1,000 yards twice including the 2002 season when Tampa Bay marched to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history.

Randy Moss to the Oakland Raiders

The late Al Davis always coveted wide receivers with speed. So when the Minnesota Vikings made Moss, one of the greatest deep threats ever, available? He didn’t hesitate. The Raiders sent 1st and 7th round picks to Minnesota for the former All-Pro. Moss did have 1,000 yards his first year with the team, but constant dysfunction and lack of stability with the coaching staff led him to become an issue in the locker room. He was eventually traded after just two years to the Patriots.

Roy Williams to the Dallas Cowboys

People always love to give Williams grief, but the guy was actually a fairly good receiver despite some atrocious quarterbacks he had to play with in Detroit. He even had over 1,300 yards during a Pro Bowl season in 2006. That is why the Cowboys traded 1st, 3rd, and 6th round picks to get him two years later. Unfortunately, their locker room was already in a state of chaos with Terrell Owens. Throwing him with his diva-ish personality into the mix only made matters worse. Williams lasted 2.5 years and never had over 600 yards in a season.

Brandon Marshall to the Miami Dolphins

Another receiver who, like Beckham, was dominant for the Denver Broncos but also had major personality concerns on and off the field. Denver finally got fed up and sent the two-time Pro Bowler to Miami for two 2nd round picks. Marshall did end up having two 1,000-yard seasons for the Dolphins, but his antics continued. The losing didn’t make things any better either. Despite his production, Miami, in turn, traded him to Chicago in 2012.

Percy Harvin to the Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks felt they had a roster ready for a Super Bowl run in 2013 but they still lacked firepower at the receiver position. So they took advantage of reported issues with Harvin and the Minnesota Vikings by sending 1st, 3rd, and 7th round picks to get the former Pro Bowler. Things didn’t go all that well. He had one catch during the regular season that year, dealing with injury issues. However, his decisive kick return touchdown in the Super Bowl was enough to erase what a headache the year had been, though he was traded in 2014 to the Jets.

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