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Giants front office 'happy' with results of Odell Beckham Jr. trade

The New York Giants front office is "happy" with the results of the 2019 trade of Odell Beckham Jr. (R) to the Cleveland Browns. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI
1 of 5 | The New York Giants front office is "happy" with the results of the 2019 trade of Odell Beckham Jr. (R) to the Cleveland Browns. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 18 (UPI) -- New York Giants owner owner John Mara and general manager Dave Gettleman said they are "happy" with the results of the 2019 trade of Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns.

Mara and Gettleman commented on the trade Tuesday at training camp at Quest Diagnostics Giants Training Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

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Beckham was a three-time Pro Bowl selection at the time of the trade. The Giants sent the wide receiver to the Browns in exchange for safety Jabrill Peppers, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Giants used the first-round pick on defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and the third-round pick on edge rusher Oshane Ximines.

"I'm happy," Gettleman told reporters. "We got Dexter. Ximines has had his injury issues, but when he's been out there, he's shown promise. Jabrill has done a hell of a job for us, so I like that group."

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Beckham, 28, recorded just 23 catches for 319 yards and three scores in seven games last year. He missed nine games due to a knee injury. He pulled in 74 catches for 1,035 yards and four scores in 16 games in his first season with the Browns.

Peppers, 25, recorded 91 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, 2.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 15 games last season.

Lawrence, 23, totaled 53 tackles, four sacks and two passes defensed in 16 games last season. Ximines, 24, appeared in just four games in 2020, but totaled 25 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 16 games in 2019. He started just twice in his first season.

The Giants face Beckham's Browns in a preseason game at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday in Cleveland. The Browns beat the Giants last season in East Rutherford, but Beckham missed the game due his season-ending injury.

"I think it's a trade that will work out well for both sides," Mara said. "Obviously, the players that we added have been big contributors for us. I expect Odell to have a great season. I still have a great relationship with him, I've texted with him. I'm looking forward to seeing him next week."

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The running game is the strength of the Browns offense, but Beckham, Jarvis Landry and several solid tight ends provide the team with a plethora of capable pass catchers.

The Giants used two of the last three NFL Drafts and free agency to attempt to improve their wide receivers. They selected Darius Slayton in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. They picked former Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

They also signed Kenny Golladay, Golden Tate, John Ross and Cody Latimer in free agency. The Giants enter the 2021 season with Golladay, Shepard, Slayton and Toney atop their depth chart at wide receiver.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones also will target tight ends Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph in 2021.

"I like our group right now, I really do," Gettleman said. "It's just a matter of getting everybody on the field, and getting in rhythm with Daniel, and doing those kinds of things. I'm very happy with where this group is."

Slayton led the Giants with 751 receiving yards in 2020. Landry led the Browns with 840 yards last season.

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