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Barkley: Beckham-Giants reunion 'would be a great story'

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Although Odell Beckham Jr. seemingly won't be short of options when he's ready to resume his NFL career, a return to the upstart New York Giants would arguably be the most compelling move.

Giants running back Saquon Barkley - who attended Beckham's 30th birthday party during his team's bye week - believes the merits of a reunion speak for themselves.

"I feel like there's not really a sales pitch. It's New York. It's the Giants," Barkley said Friday. "Obviously, he has familiar faces within this facility and in this locker room. Personally, I think it would be a great story to come back to a place that you were at before and continue to build success."

The sweepstakes for the star wide receiver now include the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Cowboys stars Micah Parsons and Ezekiel Elliott have pushed on Twitter for Beckham to join the club, while owner Jerry Jones recently teased a potential move for the free agent.

Additionally, Bills pass-rusher Von Miller has publicly courted Beckham, his former Rams teammate, on multiple occasions.

"He's Odell. He's a heck of a player," Barkley said. "When he's healthy, he's one of the best players in the league. Why wouldn't anybody want him?"

The Giants drafted Beckham with the 12th pick in the 2014 draft. He instantly became a household name during a breakout debut season in which he racked up 1,305 and 12 touchdowns to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Beckham put up similar All-Pro-level production in the following two seasons but was hampered by injuries over the next few years.

The wideout played the 2018 season with Barkley before the Giants traded Beckham to the Cleveland Browns.

Beckham rediscovered his form with the Rams last year after Cleveland cut him midseason, producing 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight regular-season games, as well as 288 yards and two scores in the postseason.

He suffered a torn ACL in Los Angeles' Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and is reportedly expected to be cleared to return in December.

The Giants are one of the surprises of the season after earning a 6-2 record through the first nine weeks of the campaign.

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