DeMar DeRozan reacts to the Odell Beckham Jr. trade: I’M A BROWNS FAN NOW
San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan is the world’s newest Cleveland Browns fan.
“I’m a Browns fan now,” the small forward for the Spurs emphatically said after Tuesday’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
Given the talent the team now possesses, it’s hard to disagree with him. Odell Beckham, Jr. was traded to the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday in exchange for the No. 17 overall pick, a third-rounder, and safety Jabril Peppers.
Beckham has already proven to be one of the league’s best receivers. Since 2014, his first professional season, ranks third in targets per game (10.5), fourth in receptions per game (6.6), third in receiving yards per game (92.8) and third in total receiving touchdowns (44). Pair that with quarterback Baker Mayfield who set an NFL rookie record for touchdown passes, Browns fans should anticipate a lot of offensive firepower for years to come.
Based on stats alone, the duo of Beckham and Mayfield could be one of the best receiver-quarterback pairings in the league next season, competing with Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill and Tom Brady and Julian Edelman.
Beckham also joins former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry who caught four touchdowns on 81 receptions for 976 yards last season, an excellent receiving corps on either side of the field for their young quarterback.
Cleveland’s offensive nucleus does not stop there, as running back Nick Chubb took the league by storm last season with eight rushing touchdowns and nearly 1000 rushing yards in his rookie season. Tight end David Njoku has eight touchdowns in his two NFL seasons and a 60 percent catch percentage.
On the defensive side of the ball, last season’s No. 8 defense looks to be one of next season’s best as they added Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson this offseason.
The Browns will open the 2019 regular season on the weekend of Sept. 8-9. Their opponent has yet to be announced.
