May 8th, 2014. Radio City Music Hall. Commissioner Roger Goodell is there with representative's of all 32 NFL teams. ESPN & the gang "expert analysts" are there too. There are red carpets, lights, and talent galore.
A draft class with Jadeveon Clowney, the most dominant defensive end football has seen since Mario Williams. A clown of a quarterback in Johnny Manziel who is still looking to bring his antics and playing style to the NFL. A sure stud at wide receiver with Sammy Watkins. And yet, one kid from Baton Rouge, Louisiana that stands out above the rest.
Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham was an average performer at the 2014 NFL combine. He did nothing extraordinary at the combine or in his three years at LSU to 'ooh' or 'ahh' any analysts. But, his route running, 10" hands, agility and his ability to 'climb the ladder' enticed the New York Giants, who drafted him 12th overall.
Beckham's father was a running-back at LSU in the late 80s & early 90s and his mother was an all-american track star and national champion at LSU as well. The kid was meant to be an athlete. He excelled at football, basketball, and baseball throughout his childhood and could have played soccer with the US Men's national team.
Beckham showed his big catch ability several times at LSU.
He was praised throughout his career at LSU and up until the draft for his large hands, quick feet, his vertical jump, and ability to create after the catch. Mike Mayock of the NFL network praised Beckham's routes. "He's one of best route runners in this draft," Mayock said. "He's very advanced in terms of his route running."
After missing the first four games of the season Beckham started his rookie year with four catches, 44 yards and one touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. After the Giants eighth week bye, Beckham exploded with an eight reception, 156 yard performance against the Indianapolis Colts.
And then this happened,
10 catches for 146 yards, two touchdowns and one phenomenal catch on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys propelled Beckham to the #1 trending topic on Twitter, NFL stardom and talks of the Greatest Catch in NFL history.
Beckham continued his stat-filled level of play through the end the year, and NBC and FOX went a little crazy with his coverage. Filming his pregame catches, and having them queued up just in case he makes another spectacular catch in-game. And he usually did.
Beckham finished with 91 receptions for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. Despite playing in just 12 games, Beckham is tied for 9th in the NFL in receptions, 10th in yardage, tied for fourth in touchdowns, and is first outright in yards per contest with 108.8 YDS/G. He had the best 12 game performance by any rookie in the history of the NFL.
Beckham had two games this season with at least 10 catches and 130 receiving yards. He is the first rookie in NFL history to do that (Giants.com). Beckham also set the record for most receptions by a rookie through six games with 49, after an 11 catch game against the Titans.
Had Beckham played all 16 games, his numbers show that he would have finished with 1740 yards, ranking fifth in a single season all-time, behind Calvin Johnson, Jerry Rice, Isaac Bruce and Charley Hannigan. He was also "on track" to catch 122 passes, tying for 5th all-time and 16 touchdowns, tying for 14th all time.
Beckham will look to continue the hot start to his career with the Giants next season with a hopefully healthy Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle on his side to lead a potentially prolific offense in 2015.
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