One of the NFL's most electric -- and unpredictable -- players of the past decade is now available. Odell Beckham Jr.'s market is about to heat up, with the Cleveland Browns set to put the receiver on waivers on Monday despite owing the player up to $7.25 million in remaining salary. The Browns reworked his contract and voided the final two years of his deal, meaning he will be a free agent after the season.
At his best, he's a receiver with rare talent that vaulted him into the elite with at least 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his first three seasons with the New York Giants. He can break a screen pass for 50 or contort his body for a one-handed grab on a deep sideline catch. At his worst, he's injury-prone and a walking distraction without the production to offset the headaches, wearing out his welcome at his only two NFL stops and failing to break 1,100 yards in each year since 2016. Baker Mayfield's QBR is 15 points higher over the past three seasons when Beckham isn't on the field (64) than when he is (49).
Either way, Beckham is taking his ability -- and his baggage -- to an NFL city near you. If he clears waivers on Tuesday, which is entirely possible, 31 other teams are free to sign him as a free agent. What happens with his contract is worth watching, because Beckham has offsets. If a new team signs him for, say, $1 million, then the Browns owe him $1 million less. But Beckham also can claim termination pay to ensure the entire $14.5 million ($12.79 million of which is fully guaranteed). That would most likely allow him to double dip and lock the Browns into the $7.25 million balance.
Beckham is 29 years old and faces questions about durability and explosion. "But he can fit just about any offense still," an NFC scout said. "Make no mistake, he can still be very productive."
After a quick ask around the NFL, here are six of the best team fits for Beckham, plus a few more sleeper squads to watch.
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas has a clear need after Henry Ruggs III's tragic DUI and fatal car crash that resulted in his release. And unlike Cleveland's run-first attack, the Raiders are built to pass. Imagining Beckham getting under Derek Carr's moon balls across the field makes a successful third act seem possible for the embattled receiver.
The Raiders don't have to sell rebels on their own penchant for rebellion; they can sell contention. Las Vegas is 5-2 coming out of the bye and looks like a legitimate threat for the AFC West crown. The Raiders have about $3.4 million in cap space.
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans made several calls on receivers leading up to the trade deadline, and with Michael Thomas out for the year, this has to be a bottom-three receiving corps in the league.
An upgrade like this -- available in Week 9 for no draft capital -- should make coach Sean Payton happier than a new pack of Saints visors in the mail. And is there another coach better equipped to maximize receiver talent than him?
New Orleans hasn't had cap space in, like, forever. It ranks last in the NFL with around $998,000. But the Saints can always restructure contracts to create ample room, and that's what they'd do.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks pride themselves on being in on every deal. Their level of aggressiveness within that construct can be debated, but they are always lurking. They were closer to signing Antonio Brown than many know, though the Bucs offered more. They checked into Julio Jones when he was available. They signed Josh Gordon. Seattle embraces risk. If Beckham is available and affordable, GM John Schneider will at least make the call.
Russell Wilson could be back as soon as Week 10, and if the Wilson-Seattle relationship can be salvaged for 2022, giving him a receiving quartet of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Beckham and rookie Dee Eskridge would certainly intrigue him. Plus, the once-cap-strapped Seahawks now have more than $13 million in space.
Carolina Panthers
This isn't a sensible move on paper, but the offense has been reeling since a hamstring injury sidelined Christian McCaffrey. DJ Moore is fantastic but is the only reliable wide receiver right now. Robby Anderson has struggled with drops, and his 4.1 yards per target this season is last in the NFL among qualified wide receivers. Terrace Marshall Jr. has missed time. For an offense that doesn't utilize tight ends in the passing game often enough, it's a problem.
Sam Darnold needs receivers. The power trio of coach Matt Rhule, GM Scott Fitterer and owner David Tepper is among the most aggressive in the league, and the Panthers are among the leaders in cap space at the moment, with just shy of $12 million in room.
San Francisco 49ers
The problem here is San Francisco is a run-first attack, which is what Beckham has in Cleveland. But the thought of Deebo Samuel and Beckham as matching yards-after-catch players must be intriguing to coach Kyle Shanahan. There were whispers that Beckham wanted to be a 49er awhile back.
Brandon Aiyuk hasn't been the reliable No. 2 the 49ers need, though he showed signs of life in Week 8. The 49ers have nearly $3.5 million in cap space to work with.
Green Bay Packers
This is the move many want to see. But it just doesn't seem like Green Bay's style. Maybe the Packers -- who have $5.3 million in cap space -- prove me wrong.
Several of their playmakers have missed time due to COVID-19 protocol, and the Robert Tonyan knee injury hurts the overall playmaking depth. Green Bay looked hard at William Fuller V at last year's deadline and tight ends at this year's deadline. The Packers are clearly toying with idea of adding explosion for Aaron Rodgers.
Sleeper teams to watch
New England Patriots: They could use one more vertical speed option, and coach Bill Belichick isn't afraid to take chances on talented players looking for a rebound. He has to maximize Mac Jones.
Kansas City Chiefs: The offense is stuck in neutral right now. One more option in the passing game at a relative low cost might help.
New York Giants: This would be something. The Giants have been battered with injuries at the skill positions. It's doubtful this happens, but perhaps Beckham will realize he didn't have it so bad in New York.
Atlanta Falcons: They are hanging around at 3-4, and with Calvin Ridley's absence, Matt Ryan needs a true No. 1 on the outside. Ryan could keep Beckham satisfied by delivering him the ball. The Falcons are tight on cap space, though.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Playing with Tom Brady and his friend Antonio Brown would likely be appealing to Beckham. But Tampa Bay is loaded at receiver and has $3.2 million in cap space, which it would like to use on re-signing its own players.
Detroit Lions: They have first priority on the waiver wire, their receiving corps is weak and John Dorsey -- the man who traded for Beckham while in Cleveland -- is part of the Lions' front office. That said, it's hard to imagine Beckham would be eager to play for winless Detroit.
Philadelphia Eagles: They have talented young receivers but could use a veteran, and they are hanging around at 3-5. For Beckham at a low salary, why not put in a claim? They are second in cap space with north of $20 million.