Dolphins Signing Odell Beckham Jr. Makes Great Receiver Corp Even Better

On its face, an NFL team adding Odell Beckham Jr. – following the draft, on the back end of free agency, as he prepares for his 11th NFL season – is not exactly a season-defining move.

But don't tell the Miami Dolphins it's not important.

The Dolphins have agreed to a one-year contract with the former Pro Bowl receiver, an NFL source confirmed to OutKick. NFL Media was first to report the transaction.

The deal is not a blockbuster. The Dolphins are paying Beckham $3 million with incentives that, if met, can raise the deal to just over $8 million.

Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. leaps for a catch against the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

Odell Beckham Great On Big Stage

And that's the point: If the Dolphins need a wide receiver to become so important as to meet that very high incentive plateau, they want it to be one who's been a premier player, a winner, and a veteran who is familiar with performing on the big stage.

Beckham Jr. has been all those things.

The Dolphins could use some proven performers on the big stage because last year they kind of wilted on the big stage. That happened multiple times.

Beckham's admittedly no longer the guy who made that iconic one-handed catch on the sideline for the New York Giants on national TV. That was a decade ago.

He's suffered multiple ACL injuries. He's experienced multiple issues with coaches-teammates-others that led to him (and teams) seeking a move to greener pastures.

But there's also been big-time performances. He caught a touchdown in the first half of the Super Bowl for the Rams en route to their February 2022 Championship.

Beckham blew out his knee (again) in that game, and missed the entire 2022 season. He returned last year on a one-year contract with the Ravens and was, well, solid. He caught 35 passes for 565 yards and 3 TDs.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Dolphins WR Room Best In Biz?

But if Beckham is no longer a WR1 what he is in Miami is a force multiplier because their top receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, are both already a scary-good combo. 

Hill has been a 1,700-yard receiver both seasons he's played in Miami. Waddle has been a 1,000-yard receiver all three seasons he's played in Miami.

The addition of an accomplished player such as Beckham makes the Dolphins wide receiver room perhaps the best in the NFL.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa surely won't be complaining.

And now we pause to consider what has happened this Friday morning:

The Dolphins just agreed to terms with Odell Beckham Jr., adding him after his season with the Ravens last year in which he had those 3 touchdowns in 14 games.

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 16:  Chase Claypool #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

Dolphins Edge Bills This Day

The Buffalo Bills, starved for receiver help, announced the signing of Chase Claypool. Claypool has 4 touchdowns the past three seasons. In 42 games.

Both players were added as depth. As hopeful weapons in time of crisis. For their potential contributions.

The Dolphins went with a proven player who has performed on the biggest NFL stages.

The Bills went with a player who disappointed in Pittsburgh, in Chicago, and last year in Miami. 

The Dolphins have been trailing the Bills in the chase for the AFC East title the past two seasons. On Friday, they seemed to have closed the distance between the two.