Ravens Free To Sign Odell Beckham Jr. As Cowboys Trade For Brandin Cooks?
The Dallas Cowboys have ended their pursuit of Odell Beckham Jr. after trading for Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks, and in the process, might have helped the Baltimore Ravens.
The AFC North franchise was one of a host of teams present at Beckham Jr.'s workout in Arizona, so there is at least slight interest in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowl receiver.
With the Cowboys thought to be the frontrunners for Beckham Jr.'s signature, and now that Cooks has been acquired, could it open the door for Baltimore to be more aggressive in its bid to lure Beckham Jr. to M&T Bank Stadium?
Possibly, but they aren't the only ones interested in the receiver.
New England is also reportedly interested. But for the Ravens, adding a player of Beckham Jr.'s caliber to an offense crying out for a receiver to ease the workload on Mark Andrews is crucial.
While there were reports that OBJ wanted $20 million APY (he debunked that notion). Getting Beckham Jr. at an affordable price is likely paramount in any potential negotiations.
Also important is Lamar Jackson's future.
Will Beckham Jr. want to be at a franchise that has so much unknown at the quarterback position? Likely not, and that is the situation Baltimore finds itself in.
General manager Eric DeCosta stated at the scouting combine that it is difficult to do business with Jackson's future looming over the franchise's head. Also, it could impact the Ravens' efforts to lure Beckham Jr., and that isn't a great spot to be in.
But with Dallas now reportedly out of the running for OBJ, the Ravens could have a better shot at acquiring the talented receiver.
They just have to be willing to thrash out a deal.
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