Odell thought he'd be drafted by Lions in 2014
The New York Giants' joint practice with the Detroit Lions brought back memories for Odell Beckham Jr.
At the 2014 NFL Draft, Beckham was still available with the Lions on the clock with the 10th pick of the first round.
"I thought that Tampa Bay was a possibility. I thought Buffalo was a possibility; they traded up and got Sammy (Watkins at No. 4). Tampa took Mike Evans (No. 7)," Beckham recalled after practice, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
"And then 10th, I was like, 'Alright, I'm going to go to Detroit.'"
Instead, the Lions selected tight end Eric Ebron, the first player at his position to come off the board.
Detroit had acquired Golden Tate in free agency to pair with superstar Calvin Johnson, but receiver remained an area of need. Beckham thought everything was lined up.
"Didn't happen and then I went 12th to the Giants. So I think it worked out perfectly. But I do remember that."
That season, the Lions finished 12th in passing, while the Giants ranked seventh on the strength of Beckham's 91-catch, 1,305-yard, 12-TD season.