CLEVELAND — Quarterback Baker Mayfield is not the only one “feeling dangerous” these days, and that could be a sign of good things to come for the Cleveland Browns.
After taking a few days away from social media last week, new Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged “feeling dangerous,” and seemingly, embracing the fresh start to his career in Cleveland following a trade from the New York Giants on the first day of the new league year.
In addition to “feeling dangerous,” Beckham Jr. changed his profile and background pictures to reflect his new team.
Beckham Jr.’s profile picture is of himself wearing a No. 13 Browns Color Rush jersey, and at the top of his page is an artistic creation featuring him and former LSU teammate Jarvis Landry in Color Rush uniforms. Beckham Jr. posted the same photo to Instagram with a reference to the superhero movie, “Black Panther.”
Looking at the Browns, why wouldn’t Beckham Jr. be feeling dangerous?
First, there is his proven track record of productivity.
Over 59 regular-season games, including 56 starts, in five years with the Giants, Beckham Jr. turned 622 targets into 390 receptions for 5,476 yards and 44 touchdowns. Beckham Jr. averaged 92.8 yards per game, including a league-best 108.8 during the 2014 season.
Beckham Jr. has put four 1,000-yard and three double-digit touchdown seasons on his resume since being selected with a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Louisiana State University.
Last season, Beckham Jr. turned in a 77-catch, 1,052-yard, six-touchdown effort for the Giants.
Beckham Jr. was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2014-2016) and two-time Second Team All-Pro honoree (2015-2016) during his five years with the Giants.
Along with Beckham Jr.’s productivity, there are Mayfield and Landry, both of whom emerged as leaders for the offense during the 2018 season.
No rookie in the near 100-year history of the NFL has thrown more touchdowns passes than Mayfield.
Mayfield broke the NFL record with his 27th touchdown throw of the season with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter of a 26-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North Division clash at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on December 30.
After taking over the first-team offense in the second quarter of a Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Mayfield completed 310 of his 486 attempts (63.8 percent) for 3,725 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
Under the direction of new Browns coach Freddie Kitchens, who was the interim offensive coordinator for the second half of the 2018 season, Mayfield completed 180 of his 263 attempts (68.4 percent) for 2,254 yards and 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
Acquired by the Browns from the Miami Dolphins for draft picks last March and signed to a lucrative multi-year contract extension, Landry lived up to the hype in his first year in Cleveland, as he made impactful plays in multiple ways for the offense.
Landry turned his 81 receptions into 976 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 60 yards and one score on just three attempts and completed one of his two passes for 63 yards. Additionally, Landry completed a two-point conversion pass to quarterback Baker Mayfield in a 21-17 win over the New York Jets at FirstEnergy Stadium in Week 3.