With reports that Odell Beckham Jr. could be returning soon, there is now the potential that he could have fantasy football value sooner rather than later. While OBJ does not currently have a team, he is expected to be signed reasonably quickly after he is medically cleared.
With Beckham potentially set to be signed as early as Week 10, should fantasy managers be thinking about stashing him? Let’s examine Beckham’s fantasy outlook this year based on some of the teams he is rumored to be heading to.
Odell Beckham’s Fantasy Outlook for the 2022 NFL Season
There have been a number of teams rumored as being potential destinations for OBJ, with each of them presenting different levels of potential fantasy value. Among the names being considered as potential landing spots are the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants.
Those teams represent a wide range of potential outcomes for Beckham. If he ends up in Green Bay or New York, then he could very well find himself leading the team in targets the rest of the way down the stretch. In those two destinations, Beckham figures to see reasonable fantasy value over the coming weeks.
The last time Beckham came back from a knee injury, at the start of 2021, he saw a reasonably big decrease in his fantasy value. In that season, Beckham averaged just 5.86 targets for 38.4 receiving yards per game. He also averaged 0.36 touchdowns per game. His average fantasy output in 2021 was 7.5 fantasy points in half-PPR scoring.
Beckham was more productive when he arrived in Los Angeles, largely thanks to scoring five touchdowns in eight games with the Rams. With him averaging just 3.38 receptions and 38.1 receiving yards per game, he was essentially touchdown-dependent for his fantasy value down the stretch of last season.
If he signs in Green Bay or New York, that could change. In those landing spots, Beckham would have the chance to be a WR1 and see in the range of 8-to-10 targets per game, as he did when he was with the Giants previously.
However, if Beckham goes to the Rams, 49ers, Bills, Chiefs, Buccaneers, or Cowboys, things would be a little more cloudy. The only team of those that he might lead in targets is the 49ers, but that is still a crowded situation. In all five of those potential landing spots, Beckham would be very dependent on touchdowns if he is to provide fantasy value.
Should Fantasy Managers Stash OBJ Ahead of Week 10?
Fantasy managers who are looking to take a shot at Beckham’s upside have an opportunity here. If they have roster spots that have not already been locked, then Beckham could be an intriguing stash this week. Because Beckham is not signed to a team, his status on waivers will not lock in most leagues.
The question becomes what level of player fantasy managers should consider dropping to add Beckham. That is where the wide range of potential outcomes is a concern. If we knew Beckham was heading to Green Bay or New York, you might consider dropping someone of more value. However, if Beckham heads to one of the other destinations, you could be left kicking yourself for dropping him.
In most 14-team leagues or deeper, Beckham should be a reasonable stash if he is not already. OBJ is currently rostered in 17.4% of ESPN leagues, so there is a chance he might not be available in the deeper league formats. However, in 12-team leagues and shallower, this decision becomes tougher. With six teams on a bye, most rosters are stretched thin this week.
Therefore, fantasy managers might find it hard to find a player to drop in order to stash Beckham. Looking at Tommy Garrett’s Week 9 rest of season rankings, Beckham would sit somewhere in the WR40-45 region right now. His upside would make him an intriguing stash over the likes of Wan’Dale Robinson, Michael Gallup, Isaiah McKenzie, or Chase Claypool.