Newly-signed Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham J currently stands accused of assault. According to the TMZ report, a woman alleges that Beckham put his throat around her neck while at a California nightclub. While this claim is still under investigation, it’s safe to assume that the Baltimore Ravens are monitoring the situation closely. Beckham is easily their biggest offseason addition, and speaking purely from a football standpoint, the team needs to be aware of what these accusations could mean for their franchise.
What The Odell Beckham Assault Charges Mean For Baltimore Ravens
Innocent Until Proven Guilty
While these accusations are troubling, it’s important to note that, as of this posting, Beckham has not been charged with a crime, nor is there any physical evidence of wrongdoing. With this in mind, the Ravens should probably hold still, monitor the situation, and wait until more information regarding the alleged assault is available before deciding what to do (if anything) with Odell Beckham.
For what it’s worth, both Beckham and the owner of the nightclub are denying the allegations. It’s easy to see why Beckham would deny these accusations, but the fact that the nightclub owner is also siding with the wide receiver is noteworthy. John Terzian, the owner of the nightclub, said that “we were contacted about an investigation and reviewed the videos, the claim is false. There is no evidence of this person even being in the area where she claims the incident occurred.”
Plans For the Ravens Receiver Room
For the time being, the Ravens should assume that Odell Beckham will be with the team in 2022. However, even though it is unlikely, the fact that this accusation is out there means that a suspension could come, and if it does, Baltimore will once again find themselves in desperate need of a wide receiver.
At this point in the season, the only way the Ravens can resolve that need is through the NFL Draft. Baltimore currently holds the 22nd pick in the draft, and that should be the sweet spot for wide receivers. While it’s highly unlikely that Jaxon Smith-Njibga will still be on the board, the Ravens could have their choice of Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston, and Zay Flowers.
Zay Flowers catching passes from Patrick Mahomes
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@2LiveCraig)
pic.twitter.com/s3xjJnSDjq— PFF (@PFF) April 19, 2023
Each one of those three prospects is deserving of a first-round pick and should be able to contribute in some capacity from Day 1. In a perfect world, they’ll spend 2023 as the third receiver behind Beckham and a now-healthy Rashod Bateman. However, if something comes of the Odell Beckham assault allegations and Bateman struggles to stay healthy, they could serve as the top option in the passing attack.
Alternatively, the Ravens could decide to go after a different veteran wide receiver. The Arizona Cardinals are not willing to publicly part ways with DeAndre Hopkins, but it’s only a matter of time before the wide receiver finds a new home. Perhaps the Ravens can get him in a cheap trade or simply wait for Arizona to cut him and make a bid on the open market.
Main Photo: Reggie Hildred – USA Today Sports
The post How the Baltimore Ravens Should Handle Odell Beckham Assault Accusations appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.