Odell Beckham Jr. Rumors: Giants Were '50-50' on Trade, Wanted 2 1st-Round Picks

The New York Giants put a steep price tag on any potential trade for three-time Pro Bowl receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

During an extended feature on Beckham for ESPN The Magazine, Seth Wickersham reported the Giants were "50-50" when it came to dealing Beckham. However, one source told Wickersham that New York wanted a pair of first-round picks in return.

Wickersham also reported one interested trade suitor hired a private investigator to track Beckham as part of its due diligence.

The Giants removed any doubt about Beckham's future Monday, agreeing to a five-year, $95 million extension, per ESPN's Josina Anderson. According to Anderson, Beckham will receive $65 million guaranteed.

The 25-year-old was set to become a free agent after the 2018 season after the Giants picked up his $8.4 million rookie option. Because of that, it made sense for the Giants to at least see his value on the trade market.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Steve Wyche reported in March the team was "listening to trade calls/talks" and that the Los Angeles Rams were prepared to include the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 draft as part of their trade package. The New York Daily News' Gary Myers reported Beckham had spoken to two Rams players to say he was interested in joining the team.

The Rams ultimately went in a different direction, using their first-round pick to acquire Brandin Cooks from the New England Patriots.

The fact the Giants had such a high trade demand for Beckham would seemingly indicate the team preferred to keep him.

Between 2014 and 2016, Beckham had 4,122 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. According to Pro Football Reference, those numbers rank second and fourth all-time among receivers through their first three years. Beckham's 2017 season was cut short because of a fractured ankle, but he remains one of the NFL's most dynamic receivers.

With Eli Manning in the twilight of his career and the Giants likely needing to find Manning's successor in the near future, keeping Beckham was critical for the team's passing game.