Odell Beckham Jr. stepping into mentor role for promising Ravens WR

Even as Odell Beckham Jr. has not yet donned a Baltimore Ravens jersey in a game, he has already left a notable impact on the offense. Beckham, who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in April, enters the 2023 season as the oldest wide receiver on the team. The three-time Pro Bowler has seen […]

Steve Zavala

Aug 31, 2023 9:43 AM EDT

Jul 27, 2023; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) reacts during training camp practice at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Even as Odell Beckham Jr. has not yet donned a Baltimore Ravens jersey in a game, he has already left a notable impact on the offense.

Beckham, who signed a one-year deal with the Ravens in April, enters the 2023 season as the oldest wide receiver on the team. The three-time Pro Bowler has seen it all in the NFL, and he has been sharing his wealth of wisdom with Baltimore’s wide receiver room, including Tylan Wallace.

Wallace said during a press conference on Wednesday that Beckham has been working with him to further develop his route-running skill set, including the team’s famed 'Odell' route.

"[I've learned] just a few things, just football related, how we run certain routes and stuff like that," Wallace said. "So, it's crazy, last year we actually had a route called 'Odell.' So, it's crazy to actually have him here and be like, 'Alright that's his route,' so, we ask him how he runs that and different things he does versus different looks. … So, it's good to kind of be able to pick his brain about that route."

Wallace added that the 'Odell' route is "kind of an in-zone corner route."

Wallace, who logged 55 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns during the preseason, is also pleased to rely on Nelson Agholor for advice.

"It's great," Wallace said. "Obviously with guys like 'Nelly' [Nelson Agholor] and having Odell [Beckham Jr.], those older veteran guys, it's pretty great. … So, it's really good to have those older guys like I was saying earlier, just to be able to pick their brains [and] having that knowledge of just reading defenses and just reading corner plays and stuff like that.

“So, it's great to have those older guys."

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh wound up penciling in six wide receivers on the team’s initial 53-man roster. It may be a longshot for Wallace to see an increase in snaps played on offense compared to the 2022 season, but he sure has what it takes to make the most out of his opportunities on the field this year.