Since being drafted 12th overall by the New York Giants in the 2014 NFL Draft, Odell Beckham Jr. has quickly become one of the league's brightest young stars. Through 26 career games, Beckham Jr. has compiled 2,701 yards on 182 catches and already has 25 career touchdowns. In his short time in the NFL, Beckham Jr. racked up many accomplishments and awards. The list includes winning the AP Rookie of the Year, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, being selected to his two consecutive Pro Bowls, and being selected to grace the cover of Madden NFL 16. He broke into the national spotlight when he had what many consider to be the greatest catch of all time against the Dallas Cowboys on a nationally televised stage. Although his antics this past week against the Carolina Panthers, in which he displayed immaturity against the pressure of cornerback Josh Norman, it's clear that Beckham Jr. is one of the best young studs in the league.
The 2014 NFL Draft has already produced some incredible young stars, but nobody has made the impact that Beckham has. Here is a look at the teams and players selected before Beckham and the impact Odell Beckham Jr. could have had on their team.
The 2014 NFL Draft
With the 1st pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select –
Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End, South Carolina
The Houston Texans were coming off of a 2-14 season, good (or bad) enough for the number 1 pick in the draft. They had quarterback issues, but they weren't sold on Blake Bortles, and they didn't need another receiver as they already had the veteran Andre Johnson paired with the youngster DeAndre Hopkins. So they opted into the top overall prospect, Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was 6-foot-5 and weighed 266 pounds. He had excellent size and speed for a defensive lineman as he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL's Scouting Combine.
The dream for the Texans was to pair Clowney up with their All-Pro end, J.J Watt. Unfortunately, multiple injuries have prevented Clowney from reaching his full potential, and he has played in just 16 games over the last two years, including just 4 in his rookie campaign.
After parting ways with Johnson the following year, the Texans can only imagine would could have been if they had drafted Beckham Jr.. If Beckham Jr. was teamed up with DeAndre Hopkins, they would instantly change the Texans gameplan. Houston would then have one of, if not the most dynamic duo of receivers in the NFL. If Houston had both Hopkins and Beckham Jr., then they wouldn't have near as horrid a QB issue, and they could even make a quarterback like Brian Hoyer look like an All-Pro.
With the 2nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select-
Greg Robinson, Tackle, Auburn
The St. Louis Rams were ecstatic to take Robinson at number two overall in the draft. Coming from a run-heavy offense at Auburn where he blocked for current teammate Tre Mason, he has been solid with his blocking duties. But, he has struggled mightily while in pass protection, as explained by Pro Football Focus. In his 26 games started there, he has been responsible for 10 sacks, 16 QB hits, and 25 QB hurries.
The Rams may be one of the teams regretting the decision the most. Their offense has lacked explosiveness for a while now and Beckham Jr. would have given them a deep, vertical threat. Kenny Britt is the Rams leading receiver this year with just 30 catches for 551 yards and 2 touchdowns in 13 games this year. Beckham has more than doubled all of those stats this year.
If the Rams took Beckham Jr. second overall in 2014, he would have given the Rams quarterback a reliable target, and with rookie Todd Gurley starting in the backfield, Beckham could have done a lot of damage with play action. All the Rams can do now is think about what could have been.
With the 3rd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select-
Blake Bortles, Quarterback, Central Florida
The Jaguars may be one of the few teams that does not regret passing on Odell Beckham Jr. Instead, the Jags were able to get a franchise quarterback for years to come when they drafted Blake Bortles third overall.
Bortles struggled mightily in his first season in the NFL as he threw just 11 touchdowns against a horrendous 17 interceptions. This year, Bortles has improved greatly with 31 touchdowns through 15 weeks of play, although he still has 18 total turnovers.
The reason they may not regret it as much is because they also have two young receivers. They drafted Allen Robinson in the 2nd round and went on to sign Allen Hurns as an undrafted free agent. In their second seasons, the two receivers have combined for over 1,600 yards and 22 total touchdowns.
Even after not drafting Beckham Jr. the Jaguars have a bright future ahead due to success in recent drafts.
With the 4th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select-
Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
Watkins is the player that most people thought would emerge as the best receiver in the 2014 draft class. With good size and excellent speed, Watkins had the ability to torch defenses for big plays every time the ball was thrown his way.
Injuries have forced Watkins to miss 3 games this year. Watkins needs to stay healthy if he wants to try and become one of the next wave of elite receivers in the NFL.
If the Bills opted for Beckham Jr. over Watkins they would have a more reliable and dominant target for Tyrod Taylor. Through week 15 of the 2015 season, Watkins has played in one more game than Beckham Jr. and has 72 fewer receptions, 927 fewer yards and 11 fewer touchdowns than Odell Beckham Jr.
With the 5th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select-
Kahlil Mack, Linebacker, Buffalo
Like the Jaguars, the Raiders can probably live without taking Beckham as they were able to get a stud of a linebacker. Mack had a solid rookie season in which he had 76 total tackles and 4 sacks. This year through 13 games, Mack has been sensational as he already has 62 total tackles and leads the NFL with 15 sacks.
If the Raiders selected Beckham Jr. at number 5 last year, it is interesting how their roster would have changed. It is likely that if they took Beckham Jr., they would have no need for this year's first-round pick, Amari Cooper. If they had taken Beckham last year, it is possible that they could have taken another linebacker this year, like Vic Beasley or Shaq Thompson.
It doesn't matter now, and the Silver and Black are quite happy with the decisions they have made as they appear to be heading in the right direction.
With the 6th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select-
Jake Matthews, Tackle, Texas A&M
Last year the Falcons were in desperate need of a tackle, so they selected Jake Matthews. Matthews struggled at times in his rookie season but has improved considerably in year two. He has only missed one game in his career.
Matthews has the potential to eventually be a premier offensive lineman in the NFL, but he won't have the same dominant effect that Odell Beckham Jr. obtains.
If Odell Beckham Jr. was paired with Julio Jones, Matt Ryan would not be criticized like he is today. With two playmaking receivers to throw to, the Falcons would be an offensive powerhouse had they taken Beckham Jr. 6th overall.
With the 7th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tampa bay Buccaneers select –
Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
At one point last year it was arguable who was better; Mike Evans or Odell Beckham Jr? Evans had a superb rookie run as he had 1,051 and matched Beckham with 12 touchdowns.
This season has been a completely different one for Evans, who has the second most drops in the NFL and through week 14 has just over 1,000 yards but only 3 touchdowns.
Imagine what this year what could have been. Beckham Jr., Vincent Jackson and Jameis Winston. With Winston now running the ship in Tampa, he has rejuvenated that team and has played very well year. With Beckham Jr. catching passes from him, it would have likely made life easier for Winston.
With the 8th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select-
Justin Gilbert, Cornerback, Oklahoma St.
The Browns pulled possibly the most Browns thing possibly in this draft. Not only did they pass on Beckham Jr. not once but twice, they instead took a player who could very well be the biggest bust of his draft class.
The Browns originally held the 4th pick in the draft, but instead of possibly taking Beckham Jr. there, they traded down to number 8 to take Justin Gilbert.
In his short time in the NFL, Gilbert has been an absolute mess. He has struggled to crack the starting lineup due to off the field issues as well as bad play on the field. Gilbert has started in just 3 games over the last two seasons and his career doesn't look very promising.
The Browns taking Beckham Jr. makes even more sense that their top receiver Josh Gordon had just been dealt a one-year suspension. With Gordon suspended it would have made too much sense for the Browns to take Beckham Jr.. But of course, when you're the Cleveland Browns, you do Cleveland Brown things. Beckham Jr. would have been the perfect receiver to help Johnny Manziel or whoever the Browns end up playing at quarterback going forward.
With the 9th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select-
Anthony Barr, Linebacker, UCLA
Anthony Barr has displayed the potential to be one of the NFL's best young defenders. He has been good in the run game, and it is not that this is a bad pick, but picking Odell Beckham Jr. would have been a better selection.
Later in this draft, the Vikings selected Teddy Bridgewater to be the face of the franchise at quarterback. Bridgewater has been a good game manager but has struggled to make big plays. With no true star receiver in tow, Beckham Jr. would have changed the perception in Minnesota.
Beckham Jr. has a special ability to get up field and make big plays and that would have been a huge help to Bridgewater. Not to mention with Adrian Peterson in the backfield, this would have made a pretty formidable offense.
With the 10th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select-
Eric Ebron, Tight End, North Carolina
After signing Golden Tate earlier in the offseason, Ebron was supposed to be the perfect compliment to him and Calvin Johnson. Ebron began to rise up draft boards when he ran a 4.6 40-yard dash at 250-pounds.
Ebron has been better this season but has been average at best in his young career and has struggled with drops as well as consistency.
If the Lions had thought of adding another receiver to the mix, the team without a doubt would have formed the greatest trio of receivers with Johnson, Tate, and Beckham Jr.. If only the Lions had thought about the star from LSU.
With the 11th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select-
Taylor Lewan, Tackle, Michigan
Lewan was selected by the Titans due to their strong need of offensive tackles. He was not the strongest lineman in the draft but had a mean attitude that the Titans really grew to like.
The Titans this year took Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick. The only problem is he has no playmakers around him. Beckham Jr. would have been a great, explosive piece for the Titans and Mariota.
This is a pick that the Titans will likely regret for a longtime.
And finally with the 12th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the New York Giants select-
Odell Beckham Jr, Wide Receiver, LSU
This is a pick the Giants wouldn't change for anything. Beckham Jr. has shown promise to a recently struggling Giants franchise and has given them hope for years to come. If Odell Beckham Jr. continues his dominating ways and Eli Manning continues to play at a high level, it will only be a matter of time before Beckham Jr. can add Super Bowl champion to his résumé.