In need of a spark within their wide receiver corps ahead of the 2014 season, the Baltimore Ravens went out and signed Steve Smith Sr. to a three-year deal. Smith spent a mere three seasons with the Ravens, but he sure left quite an impact on the offense.

Nine years later, the Ravens faced a similar dilemma, and they opted to address it by coming to terms with Odell Beckham Jr. on a one-year deal worth up to $18 million. The Ravens sure hope that Beckham will be able to elevate the team’s offense both on and off the field, just as Smith managed to do so during his three-year run in Baltimore. For former Ravens safety Eric Weddle, he sees that the three-time Pro Bowler is more than capable of doing just that.

"It's a lot like when Steve Smith came to the Ravens," Weddle told BaltimoreRavens.com's Clifton Brown. "When you bring in a vet that's a high-level, talented dude that can win one-on-one matchups at any moment, it's calming to the quarterback. If you get the coverage you want, you know where you're going with the ball. There is no thinking at that point.

“That's the difference between a bona fide star and other guys.”

Weddle knows first-hand just what Beckham can bring to an offense, as the two were teammates during the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl-winning run in the 2021 season. Weddle had a front-row seat to watch the all-around wideout have his way in the playoffs with two touchdown catches, including one in Super Bowl 56.

Even as Beckham has not played in a single snap since Super Bowl 56 due to a torn ACL injury suffered during the game, Weddle believes that the veteran wideout can emerge as a difference-maker with the Ravens.

"Everyone's good in the league, I'm not disrespecting anyone," Weddle said. "But schematically, there are certain guys that you have to do special things for. That's just reality.

“Odell is one of those guys. I know he hasn't played in a minute, and he's still got to prove it. But what a great place to do that, in a great organization, with Lamar and a Pro Bowl tight end in Mark Andrews and other weapons."

Beckham is currently on par to make his long-awaited return to action in the Ravens’ Week 1 opener against the Houston Texans.

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