NFL insider links San Francisco 49ers to 3-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in free agency
The San Francisco 49ers, reigning NFC champions, currently boast a strong wide receiver corps with Brandon Aiyuk in contract extension talks and Deebo Samuel secured for the long term. Despite this stability, general manager John Lynch and the team’s decision-makers are reportedly still interested in bolstering their receiving options to support quarterback Brock Purdy, a finalist for the MVP award.
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Since Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan assumed their roles in 2017, the 49ers have consistently been associated with Pro Bowl wideout Odell Beckham Jr. The team made a concerted effort to acquire Beckham Jr. in 2019, but the New York Giants ultimately traded him to the Cleveland Browns, with Giants GM David Gettleman reportedly reluctant to trade him to a conference rival.
Even after Beckham Jr. became available again when the Browns waived him in 2021, the 49ers were rumored to have interest. However, he ended up signing with the division-rival Los Angeles Rams.
Despite several years passing since their initial pursuit of Beckham Jr., the 49ers are once again being linked to the talented wide receiver.
NFL insider mentions San Francisco 49ers as potential Odell Beckham Jr. landing spot
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports has identified San Francisco as one of five potential landing spots for Odell Beckham Jr. in NFL free agency, alongside the Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, and the Baltimore Ravens.
Beckham Jr., who is 31 years old, had a stint with the Baltimore Ravens last season but didn’t produce the expected numbers. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns, with a catch rate of just 55% on passes thrown his way by Lamar Jackson, the reigning NFL MVP.
It’s worth noting that Beckham Jr. suffered a torn ACL while with the Rams in 2021, causing him to miss the entire 2022 season. The extent to which he’ll be able to regain his pre-injury form remains uncertain.
During his prime years from 2014 to 2019 with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, Beckham Jr., a former first-round pick out of LSU, averaged 77 receptions for nearly 1,100 yards per season.
Regarding a potential fit with the San Francisco 49ers, it’s important to consider the team’s current roster dynamics. Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel are versatile players often utilized in various roles within Kyle Shanahan’s offensive schemes. Beckham Jr. also possesses the ability to line up on the boundary or in the slot.
However, the primary consideration is the team’s need. While Jauan Jennings is expected to return to San Francisco next season as a restricted free agent, adding Beckham Jr. would likely position him as the team’s fourth wide receiver and potentially even lower in the pecking order, behind the top three receivers as well as receiving threats like running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle.