Why the Baltimore Ravens Signing Odell Beckham Jr. Might Not be a Great Fantasy Move!
The Baltimore Ravens recently signed Odell Beckham Jr. to their team, a move that has generated excitement among football fans. However, from a fantasy football perspective, it may not be such a great move for those looking to draft Beckham Jr. onto their team.
He Doesn't Stay Healthy
Firstly, Odell has not had a great track record when it comes to staying healthy. In his last three seasons, he has only played in 37 out of a possible 49 games. Injuries have plagued his career, the most recent being an ACL tear on February 13th, 2022. It's difficult to trust him to stay on the field for a full season, even after a full year of rest and rehabilitation. This unreliability can be a major disadvantage for fantasy owners who are looking for consistent production from their players.
The Baltimore Ravens Don't Pass Enough
Secondly, the Baltimore Ravens are not known for their passing game. Their offense revolves around their running game, with Lamar Jackson as their quarterback, we presume for 2023. In the 2022 season, the Ravens ranked 28th in passing yards per game, averaging only 180.5 yards. They were also 28th in pass attempts, with only 488. This means that Beckham Jr. may not see a lot of targets, limiting his fantasy production.
Moreover, the Ravens already have a reliable receiving option in Mark Andrews. Andrews has been one of Lamar Jackson's favorite targets and was the team's leading receiver in the 2021 season with 1361 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. In 2022, with Lamar missing 5 games and Andrews missing 2, the ball was spread around a little more. Demarcus Robinson went for 458 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Devin Duvernay went for 407 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. However, Mark Andrews still led the team with 847 yards and 5 touchdowns. With Andrews in the mix, it's uncertain how much of an impact Beckham Jr. will make in this already crowded receiving core.
He's Not the Same Player as Before
Finally, it's worth noting that Beckham Jr. has not been the same player since leaving the New York Giants. In his three seasons with the Cleveland Browns and LA Rams, he has only had one 1,000-yard season and a total of only 12 touchdowns. His performance has been inconsistent, and he has not lived up to the expectations set by his early career. He has averaged 47 receptions a season and been a top 24 wide receiver 11 times in that three-year span. This makes it difficult to trust him as a reliable fantasy option.
In conclusion, while Odell Beckham Jr.'s signing with the Baltimore Ravens may generate buzz among football fans, it may not be the best move for fantasy owners. His injury history, the Ravens' lack of emphasis on the passing game, their already crowded receiving core, and the presence of a reliable target in Mark Andrews make it unlikely that he will be a consistent producer. Fantasy owners may want to consider other options before drafting Beckham Jr. onto their team.
