Why Odell Beckham Jr. was initially ‘hesitant’ to play with Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa

Beckham is entering his 11th season in the NFL where he stood out originally in his time with the New York Giants where he put up insane numbers in his first three years having anywhere between 1,305 and 1,450 yards and over double-digit touchdowns. On the other hand, it has been a steady downwards trend for the receiver as he has not made a Pro Bowl since 2016 and even not reaching 1,000 yards since 2019 in his first year with the Cleveland Browns.

He would then join the Los Angeles Rams after three seasons with the Browns and was part of the Super Bowl winning team in 2021. The 31-year old star would not play in 2022 and came back the season after being a part of the Baltimore Ravens, but has since taken his talents to South Beach (or really Miami Gardens) as he mentioned that it was Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel that “sold it” to him.

“Coach Mike is someone who definitely sold it to me,” Beckham said. “It’s just his energy. It’s just, we speak the same language. The conversations we had about football, and just the opportunity that presented itself. God put it in front of me, and you roll with it.”

Beckham understands he is not the No. 1 receiver with the Dolphins

Miami has been looking for a reliable, consistent, and talented No. 3 receiver for a while now with other players like Cedric Wilson Jr. and Braxton Berrios unable to fill that void in the best way. Beckham could be the perfect player for the role as he understands that while he won’t be able to play at the No. 1 spot anymore, he still has a lot left in the tank to be the third option next to the speedy duo of Hill and Waddle.

“I haven’t been the No. 1 in a minute,” Beckham said. “It’s not really where I’ve been at, it’s not difficult at all anymore. I think I’m past it…I got to go get back on the track, I guess, for a second,” he said. “It’s some speed down here on this team.”

Because of how much attention Hill and Waddle receive from opposing defenses, it could open up more opportunity for Beckham who recorded 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns for the Ravens last season. He specifically mentioned how he would thrive on third downs which was an aspect himself and McDaniel talked about.

“Coach and I were talking about it — that on third down, we get a lot of doubling both of them. And there’s just a lot of room for opportunity,” Beckham said via The Sun Sentinel.

How does Beckham feel with immense injury history?

Beckham has not been without an injury history of his own how he missed the whole 2022 season due to a torn ACL he suffered in the aforementioned Super Bowl with Los Angeles. Beyond that, he has been though multiple ankle and knee issues but he said to the media Wednesday that he is “in a great position.”

“I feel great now. It’s been a tough road,” Beckham said. “Looking at it now, I’m just in a great position. Two years out of it, feel healthy, feel good. It’s not really the same problem that I have going on. Just excited to be at peace with my body and my mind.”

Beckham almost played for the Miami Hurricanes

What some people may not know is that Beckham almost played in Miami earlier in his career, but not at the professional level. When deciding which college to play for, the University of Miami was a finalist alongside his likely destination of LSU to join his best friend in Jarvis Landry, who funny enough was a well-known receiver for the Dolphins, saying that playing for the Hurricanes was “very close.”

“Very close,” Beckham said. “Miami Hurricanes, I actually drove down here to the camp and came down here like, ‘that’s the way you’ll get your (scholarship) offer.’…Very, very close, but I was easily swayed by Jarvis and, wherever he wanted to go, I was pretty much going to go. I was sold.”

It’s a “full-circle moment” for Beckham being in Miami

It remains to be seen how Beckham will truly fit with the team, but since he reportedly took a lesser deal with the Dolphins on an one-year contract with $3 million guaranteed, the receiver feels as if Miami was the best spot for him. The LSU product calls him officially being with the Dolphins a “full-circle moment.”

“It’s definitely a full-circle moment,” Beckham said. “It’s a place that I enjoy, beautiful weather,” Beckham said. “And obviously, a beautiful facility, organization, everything. An opportunity that I’m truly excited about…I’ve always gotten love whenever I come down here. Definitely get a lot of love down here and excited to do something special for this city.”

The Dolphins hope Beckham is one of the final pieces remaining in the puzzle as they look to improve off of last season’s disappointment as they lost in the wild card round to the Kansas City Chiefs. While they did have a 11-6 record, they had an immense amount of opportunities to be the No. 1 seed and the AFC East winner and could not get the job done, but they look to change the narrative this upcoming season.