It may be time for the San Francisco 49ers and Odell Beckham Jr. to finally unite.
The two sides have been linked multiple times in trade rumors since Beckham joined the NFL with the New York Giants as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Now Beckham is drawing interest from multiple teams according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. The 49ers should be one of the teams calling as they try to find any stability in the receiving corps.
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In the past the move would have been an overpay to acquire a player the 49ers didn’t necessarily need while they were constructing what became a Super Bowl caliber roster. Now, Beckham doesn’t figure to command much money as an unrestricted free agent and the 49ers have a clear need at receiver.
San Francisco on Wednesday signed veteran Malik Turner to help their receiving depth while Jauan Jennings, Brandon Aiyuk and Jordan Watkins nurse injuries. Turner is the kind of player who will fill out some reps in training camp, but is a long shot to make the team.
The 49ers at this point should be looking for players who may actually be able to contribute during the regular season. It doesn’t seem like Beckham has a better chance of doing so than Turner or any of the other WRs the 49ers have signed to help them overcome their injuries through the rigors of training camp.
It’s important to note the addition wouldn’t make the 49ers Super Bowl contenders. It’s not even a lock Beckham would make the roster. Over the last two seasons he 620 yards and three touchdowns on 44 receptions in 23 games with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. Adding a 32-year-old veteran still makes sense since experience should become a factor for the 49ers as training camp winds down.
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Beckham is well past his prime and even in a patchwork version of San Francisco’s receiving corps is likely a third or fourth option. His track record is hard to ignore, though, and there may still be a little left in the tank in an offense spearheaded by head coach Kyle Shanahan and a handful of other quality playmakers. If Beckham turns out not to be effective, his deal wouldn’t break the bank and the 49ers would be able to move on. If he winds up finding his stride again, he would give the 49ers a much-needed lift in the bottom of their receiver depth chart.
Beckham has 575 receptions in his career with 7,987 receiving yards and 59 touchdowns in 119 games with 97 starts.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL free agents: 49ers should sign WR Odell Beckham Jr.