The NFL Draft is just over a week away, and as it inches closer, more-and-more rumors are starting to spread.
This one is especially spicy.
According to Marc Malusis of WFAN, the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns have had discussions about a trade involving receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The deal would reportedly be Beckham Jr. going to Vikings in exchange for a second-and-fifth round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Malusis says the deal is not done, but being discussed, and wouldn't be surprised if it is completed.
Whether the deal happens remains to be seen, but if the deal is being discussed and that is the price to land Beckham Jr., the obvious question is — should the Eagles get involved?
The Eagles have passed on a number of top-level receivers this offseason. Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins and Amari Cooper have all been available, and despite the team's need at receiver, none of them ended up in midnight green. The reason for each was different, but overall, the Eagles seem committed to finding their next top receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The potential of landing Beckham might change their mind. One of the most electrifying receivers in the NFL, Beckham would be the big-play threat the offense has lacked, as he is a threat to score each time he touches the ball.
Even in a "down" season last year with Cleveland, Beckham still finished with 74 catches for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns, numbers that far exceed anything the Eagles got from their receivers last season. Beckham has finished with over 1,000 yards in five of his six seasons in the NFL, and averages close to 100 yards per game (86.8) in 75 career games.
Beckham has four years remaining on his contract, with base salaries of $14 million in 2020, $14.5 million in 2021 and $13.75 million in 2022 and 2023. Beckham has no guaranteed money on his deal after the 2020 season, however, so the deal is extremely team friendly for the Eagles going forward.
Despite his team-friendly deal and need at receiver, however, I think the Eagles should pass on making a deal for Beckham.
The 2020 NFL Draft is loaded at receiver, and they would be better served trying to find new weapons for Carson Wentz in the draft than they would investing two draft picks and a high salary in 2020 into Beckham. Beckham is a stud at receiver, but he has had injury issues in the past and is already six years into his career.
If the Eagles trust their scouting and make the right pick at No. 21 or No. 53 (or both), they should be able to find players on a rookie salary that give them what they need at receiver, even if those players aren't as talented as Beckham.
Still, if Beckham is available and the Eagles pass, the pressure will only increase on for them to make sure they find their receiver in the NFL Draft.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
