Report: Odell Beckham Jr., Giants Held Contract Talks, Would Be Highest-Paid WR

The New York Giants and Odell Beckham Jr. have "engaged in good-faith negotiations on a deal that would make him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. 

Per that report, "the sides are encouraged a deal could be done before the season."

Beckham, 25, is in the final year of his rookie contract and will make $8.4 million this season, according to Spotrac.com.

Earlier on Monday, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reported that the Giants and Beckham's agent, Zeke Sandhu, met last week and that the team was "valuing Beckham at a total average annual value below Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins, who has an average annual value of $16 million in his current deal."

Either contract talks have progressed, or there are conflicting reports on the team's valuation of Beckham. Regardless, the star wideout believes a deal will get done. 

"Optimistic? Yeah. I'm optimistic," he said during a press conference on Saturday, per ESPN.com. "I'm confident it will all work itself out. It always does."

Beckham has certainly produced at an elite level in his NFL career, registering 313 receptions for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns in 47 career games. On average, Beckham catches 6.6 passes for 94.1 yards and 0.8 touchdowns per game. In a 16-game season, that comes out to 105 catches for 1,505 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Those are elite numbers.

Beckham's 2017 season was cut short after four games, however, as he fractured his ankle. Nonetheless, there's little question that a healthy Beckham is one of the best receivers in the game and most dynamic weapons in football, period. 

Were he to hit free agency, there undoubtedly would be a bidding war (though the Giants would surely hit him with the franchise tag). But the latest reports suggest that the Giants and Beckham are trying to avoid that scenario altogether.