Powered by On3

Odell Beckham Jr. names top NFL receivers

DSprofileby:Dustin Schutte09/03/23

DLS1066206

odell beckham jr
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Naming the best receivers in the NFL can be a tricky task, even for star Odell Beckham Jr. In a recent appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, the three-time Pro Bowler was asked to provide his list of the top-five current players at the position.

Beckham, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason, made the radio appearance as the NFL regular season approaches. To close out his interview, Eisen asked the receiver to name the best players at his position group.

It was not an easy task.

“This is tough for me, such a hard argument,” Beckham said. “Because, my thing is, when you talk about top-five, I think of eight to nine people who, any given Sunday, Monday or Thursday could be No. 1 in the world. …

“But I’ll say Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, I think Cooper Kupp, Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase.”

As difficult as it might have been for Beckham, that’s a pretty strong list. What was also interesting is that he did not put himself in that conversation.

Beckham did give a shoutout to one of his teammates, though. Before closing out, he said fans should keep an eye on rookie receiver Zay Flowers, Baltimore’s first-round pick out of Boston College.

Flowers earned second-team All-American honors in 2022 after totaling 78 catches for 1,077 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Eagles. In his career at Boston College, the receiver piled up 200 receptions for 3,056 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Odell Beckham Jr. talks about joining Ravens

In the offseason, the Ravens made a splash signing by adding Beckham to the roster. It provided quarterback Lamar Jackson with another weapon in the passing attack, giving Baltimore another advantage offensively.

While talking on the Rich Eisen Show, Beckham explained why he wanted to join the organization.

“… Lived in Arizona at the time, and I’m in a different place in my life. I just felt this was the right thing to do, and just to be able to see and check the temperature. Never did I really think I was going to be here,” Beckham said. “I remember talking to Harbs [Ravens head coach John Harbaugh] last year about coming here and he’s like ‘Man, do you think you can make it in Baltimore?’ I’m like ‘Brother listen, when I’m playing football, I’m playing football. I have plenty of other time to travel and all that after.’ So, when I went to the Owners Meetings, I just kinda wanted to see — it kinda boiled down to this: It was like that quote, ‘Go where you’re celebrated and not tolerated.’

“It seemed like others places were, ‘We would love to have you.’ And this place, you know obviously the owner Steve [Bisciotti] — he made me want to be a Raven. And it was just that energy of like, ‘We want you here and we wanna use you, we wanna use your skillset and we need you here to be a leader.’ Being the older guy is definitely a little weird, but I’ve embraced it. I actually enjoy it, it’s cool. I’m at an age in my life where you want to be where you’re wanted.”