Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell has seen enough to know that Odell Beckham Jr. can offer some juice as a depth option at receiver.

In his weekly interview with Paul Allen, O’Connell talked about the veteran who is living on the practice squad. Is the newcomer cooked or is there still some game left in his legs and lungs? Per O’Connell, Beckham isn’t just a trustworthy old fella, but a pass option who’s “got a lot of juice left” and who continues to possess “elite” hands. As a result, Minnesota’s head coach feels confident calling him out of the “bullpen” when there’s a need for help at receiver.

Vikings Skipper Says OBJ Still Offers “Juice”

Cracking the rotation at receiver isn’t easy in Minnesota. Part of the problem is the elite option who is sitting atop the depth chart. Take a look:

• WR1 Justin Jefferson
• WR2 Jordan Addison
• WR3 Jauan Jennings
• WR4 Tai Felton
• WR5 Myles Price

Of those names above, Mr. Jefferson hangs around in an unmatched manner. He rightly demands a ton of targets. Next up are Addison and Jennings, neither of whom are getting enough touches in the offense. Jennings, in particular, is somebody who deserves more looks in the passing game. Look for Minnesota to get the brawny WR3 involved early in the upcoming game.

Consider, as well, that the practice squad boasts other options who are jostling for playing time. Again, the basic list:

• PS1 Jeshaun Jones
• PS2 Odell Beckham Jr.
• PS3 Dillon Bell
• PS4 Michael Briscoe

No doubt, it’s a full house.

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Part of what’s notable, though, is that Beckham got bumped up from the practice squad for the Week 5 New Orleans game (something the Vikings skipper mentioned). In the end, Beckham wasn’t needed since Jefferson was healthy enough to play; Addison couldn’t go, leading to Jones getting the call to play versus the Saints.

Nevertheless, the point: Beckham has done enough in his short time in the Twin Cities to inspire belief in his capacity to get tossed into the game. Maybe he’s not as explosive as he used to be, but Beckham can still pluck a pass out of the sky and still offers plenty of confidence. O’Connell therefore had him available had there ended up being a need for him to dress.

Odell Beckham Jr. has been in the NFL since 2014, a lifetime ago. At that point in time, Barack Obama was still president, Mike Zimmer had just been hired to be Minnesota’s head coach, and artificial intelligence was the subject of science fiction movies instead of being shoved into every nook and cranny of our lives. ‘Twas a simpler time.

Beckham has since snagged 575 catches, 7,987 yards, and 59 touchdowns. It’s been a long time since he’s been an elite option and yet he’s still got some ability, allowing him to be a WR5 or WR6. Think somebody who can occasionally shake loose and who can find a soft spot in zone.

As most know, Kevin O’Connell has a history with Beckham going back to their shared time with the LA Rams. So, too, does Justin Jefferson have a long history with the elder statesman due to being LSU alumni. Few, if any, are better equipped to be a mentor to Jefferson than Beckham. Presumably, that connection between the two played a part in signing him in the first place.

Next up for the Minnesota Vikings is a Week 7 game against the Indianapolis Colts.