From locker-room outcast to leader: How Odell Beckham Jr. became key voice for Ravens

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Last season, Baltimore Ravens wide receivers ran a route called "Odell."

In 2023, Odell Beckham Jr. can offer pointers on the play they named after him – an end-zone corner route, a play Beckham Jr. has caught a share of his 56 career touchdowns running.

"So we’re asking how he runs that against different looks," Ravens wideout Tylan Wallace said.

It’s also a sign of Beckham morphing from the talented-yet-mercurial superstar to a wise veteran, 30 years old now, willing to lend an ear to the younger players in his position group, some of whom grew up watching him make highlight-reel catches with the New York Giants at the beginning of his career.

"It’s crazy," Wallace said. "So when he first got here, it was kind of like, ‘Oh wow, I remember watching this dude growing up.’ Now I’m his teammate."

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Nothing makes Beckham feel older than the “grew up watching you play” comments. He still believes there are good years left in his legs. But he also knows what his role is for the Ravens, who signed him to a one-year, $15-million deal in March, adding another weapon for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Beckham said he's "still got a little bit left" in the tank. But gone are the days of stretching defenses as one of the NFL's most dynamic playmakers. Two ACL tears – the most recent forcing him to miss all of last season after sustaining it in Super Bowl 56 while playing for the Los Angeles Rams – will do that. He missed the Ravens' Week 3 contest, a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, with an ankle injury he suffered the previous game.

"Obviously, I want to make plays, don’t get me wrong. I want to score touchdowns. I want to dance," Beckham said. "I want to have fun, but, definitely, to help the younger guys: mentally, physically, spiritually, however I can. I embrace that role and that opportunity, and I take it very seriously. I don’t mind being the older guy for once in the room."

Moving on from drama with Giants, Browns

When Beckham began his career in New York, the tabloids captured every step of his rise to superstardom, from swinging his helmet into a kicking net to an ill-advised boat trip ahead of a postseason game.

By the end of his Giants tenure, the team fined him for openly criticizing Eli Manning during an ESPN interview. He was eventually shipped to the Cleveland Browns in March 2019, less than seven months after signing a five-year, $90 million deal. Beckham followed a similar playbook that led to his departure from Cleveland in 2021, as his clashes with quarterback Baker Mayfield led to the Browns releasing him in the middle of the season.

With age comes maturity, said Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who coached Beckham in Cleveland for one season (2019).

"Odell’s always been a fantastic person. People gravitate towards him," Monken said. "He’s got a great personality. He’s got great charisma. And he loves playing football, he loves being around the locker room.

"There’s a certain wanting (to) be able to prove that he can still play at a high level. It’s fun to be around. He’s done a great job with our younger guys. I think he’s always been good at that. But I think he feels more sense of, being a little bit older, how important that is for the younger players."

Making his mark on Ravens' young receivers

Beckham quickly took Baltimore’s first-round selection from this year, receiver Zay Flowers (No. 22 overall), under his wing. The three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start his career are footsteps Flowers wants to follow.

Instructing how to take care of your body as a professional athlete is one way Beckham has already imparted wisdom, Flowers said.

"I’m just trying to learn what he did, take a routine from him," Flowers said, "and trying to use it towards my way and do it my way."

The Ravens’ first-round selection from 2021, wide receiver Rashod Bateman, battled the lingering effects of a foot injury throughout training camp. That didn’t stop him from soaking up knowledge in the meeting room from Beckham, who has also brought his patented "swag" to the Baltimore locker room, Bateman said.

"Not that we didn’t have it, but OBJ is OBJ, so he’s going to bring that energy with him," Bateman said. "It’s contagious. We all feed into it. So, he’s been good for the locker room."

Beckham also has help in Nelson Agholor, a fellow nine-year veteran who also played for three organizations prior to joining the Ravens.  

“It’s invaluable, whenever somebody you look up to is in your presence every day and is able to tutor you and give you an example and teach you anything that you may need to know,” assistant wide receivers coach Keith Williams said. "It’s been awesome, and I think it’s going to show up on the field, too.

"(Beckham)'s been great in the classroom with the young guys. He’s been great in the cafeteria. He’s been great everywhere. It’s been really good."  

Flowers has used the knowledge to his benefit. Through three games, he has caught 21 passes (on 25 targets) for 188 receiving yards.

Beckham is now working to join Agholor, Flowers and the rest of his mentees on the field. He played in 92% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps in the Week 1 victory against the Houston Texans (two catches, 37 yards).

Beckham said his experience in the NFL gave him the tools to be a mentor. With the Giants, Victor Cruz and Manning served in that role for him. In Los Angeles, there was Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford. He watched them lead. Now it's his turn.

"These young guys have come in, embraced the challenge, worked hard, tried their best to perfect their craft, and they’re out there making plays," Beckham said. "So, I love to see it. I’m always here, any advice they need or anything of that matter. I’m just happy for those guys.

"When they score or catch a pass, it’s like I catch one. So, it’s all love in our room, for sure."