All offseason long, it was easy to caution Cowboys fans about potentially getting involved in an Odell Beckham Jr. chase.
Michael Gallup’s recovery was already uncertain enough. Beckham’s injury recovery would be far slower than Dallas’ incumbent wideout, so his ability to contribute would be muted in comparison. Even for a team that theoretically lacked weapons, Beckham would remain a theory far longer than would be helpful.
But … what about entering mid-October, as OBJ grows closer to becoming a factor, and Cooper Rush has the Cowboys positioned to make actual noise in the NFC after doing far more than tread water during Dak Prescott’s absence?
Beckham is beginning to consider his return to the league, and if you believe the man himself, the Cowboys aren’t atop his personal list of suitors. But if he listens to his ex-Giants teammate Victor Cruz, maybe he’ll change his tune.
Speaking this week with USA Today Sports, Cruz dropped both the Green Bay Packers (because of course) and the (gulp) Cowboys as the best fits for Beckham to wrap his rehab.
#Cowboys Signing Odell Beckham Jr. Is ‘Best,’ Says ‘Pained’ #Giants Ex Victor Cruz https://t.co/I3Rr43MJDl via @indycartim pic.twitter.com/7visPpk4oe
— fishsports (@fishsports) October 6, 2022
NY Giants wideout Victor Cruz thinks Odell Beckham Jr. should join Cowboys, Packers
According to Cruz, delivered with a heavy sigh:
"“The best landing spot, I think, for Odell is two places. One, Green Bay,” Cruz said. “The second team, I think, is the Dallas Cowboys. It pains me to say that.”"
Whoever gets Beckham likely won’t suit him up until the tail end of the regular season — there’s no reason to play that card until he’s fully healthy. The Super Bowl hero and three-time Pro Bowler won’t be unleashed until a playoff run is ready to begin … but, again, thanks to Rush’s efforts, that’s no longer an unrealistic dream for Dallas.
It’s looking increasingly likely the Cowboys will be carried by their demonic defense this fall, and any burst they’re able to get from CeeDee Lamb, Noah Brown and the run game will be a welcome bonus. You add OBJ as a 1A option to Lamb, though, and all of a sudden, opposing defenses have to account for a highly dangerous wrinkle.
Plus, it would upset Victor Cruz? We’re sold.
The Cooper Rush vs. Dak Prescott debate is an absurd one
Cooper Rush has done an excellent job leading the Cowboys while Dak Prescott recovers from surgery, but to say they should keep playing him is a stretch.