May 092014
 
Odell Beckham, LSU Tigers (October 5, 2013)

Odell Beckham – © USA TODAY Sports Images

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As New York Giants’ General Manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin began preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft, the two found the team’s “Big Board” growing smaller and smaller with each passing day.

For every possible scenario each played out in his mind, the same name kept coming up: LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. The speedy and versatile wide out had wowed the two with his speed, impressed them with his combine interview and sold them with his work ethic.

So when the Giants were put on the clock, and the 21-year-old was still available, there was no hesitation in sending Rodger Goodell up to the podium at Radio City Music Hall with “Beckham” inscribed on their draft card.

“It’s a really good pick for us,” Reese said at a press conference following the selection. “He was the highest guy on our board, number one, and he brings a lot to the table for us.”

Beckham is best known for his speed, route running and contributions on special teams. Not only can the wide out be lethal split outside, but returning kicks and punts as well.

Last year, Beckham finished with 2,315 all-purpose yards. The total ranks third on the SEC’s all-time list behind Randall Cobb and Darren McFadden.

“He’s a dynamic receiver, dynamic punt returner and a dynamic kick returner,” Reese said. “You are getting a guy that can score touchdowns in three different ways for you. There’s no way we could pass him up.”

The Giants envision Beckham as a pro-ready No. 1 wide receiver with his abilities perfectly suited for someone to lineup outside. At 5-11 and 198-pounds, outside seems like the last place a player of Beckham’s stature would find success.

Reese referenced the Seahawks as a team that has shown you don’t necessarily need height from the wide out position.

“When you look at the Super Bowl, how tall were the receivers they won with?” Reese said. “Tall receivers don’t always correlate with Super Bowl wins.”

While Beckham excels as a natural route runner, the attribute that attracted the Giants the most wasn’t anything that occurred on the field. During the NFL Combine, Coughlin, Reese and V.P. of Player Evaluation Marc Ross met with Beckham for an interview.

‘When we do those interviews, certain ones stick out as soon as you come in the room,” Ross said. “The way they carry themselves, the way they communicate, the way they talk about football. Those are the things we look for.

“He was outstanding. A humble guy, great upbringing, great pedigree and just talking film, talking football with him, he was one of the sharpest ones we had.”

Beckham becomes just the sixth wide receiver since 1975 to be selected by the Giants in the first round of the NFL Draft. Mark Ingram (1987), Thomas Lewis (1994), Ike Hilliard (1997), and Hakeem Nicks (2009) were the others.

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Connor Hughes/BBI

Connor Hughes has been working in both the broadcasting and journalism fields for the last seven years. His work has been heard on WMCX, WBZC and Lenape District Television, while read on the pages of The Star-Ledger and The Burlington County Times. Connor can be reached via email ([email protected]) or on twitter (@Connor_J_Hughes)

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