New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman says the Cleveland Browns made an offer he “couldn’t refuse” in exchange for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., but was it really?
Late last week, San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York said they were in aggressive pursuit of Beckham, but didn’t pull the trigger because the Giants waned two first-round picks — something they had been asking for since 2018 — including the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
“We were definitely in it,” York said via NBC Sports. “We were aggressive. But I think (the Giants) wanted different things than we had to offer. I think it would have been very hard for us to just give up a first-round pick and not get a ton in return, other than just the player, knowing that the second pick in the draft is a very, very valuable pick.”
On Friday, 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed the asking price, telling reporters that the No. 2 pick was simply too valuable for the team to part with.
Although the 49ers are stating publicly they wouldn’t part with the No. 2 pick, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports the two sides would have agreed to a first-round pick swap, but talks broke down over the remainder of the compensation.
Ultimately, a deal could not be struck between the Giants and 49ers, instead paving the way for the Browns to swoop in late and acquire Beckham in exchange for a first-round pick, third-round pick and safety Jabrill Peppers.
In the aftermath of that trade, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman maintains that the inclusion of Peppers is like getting two first-round picks.
