New York Jets: There might be another Beckham in town

The New York Jets have extended a mini camp invitation to running back Terron Beckham, better know as the cousin of star wide out Odell Beckham Jr., following the 2016 NFL Draft.

Is New York big enough to hold two Beckham’s? The world will soon find out as the Jets have offered Beckham a try out at their rookie mini-camp, but no contract just yet. The Jets were one of many teams to host a private work out for Beckham following a highly impressive pro day.

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According to

New York Daily News

, Beckham was “shaking” during his mini-camp invite due to all of the excitement. It’s no surprise the young prospect was indeed jumping for joy after learning about his potential opportunity to break into the NFL with his mini-camp try out with the Jets. He won’t be playing alongside his cousin but if he leaves Gotham with a contract, he won’t have to travel far.

Many people believe the only reason why he’s even received an invite is due to the success of his last name. However, what really bolstered his NFL chances was his spectacular pro day. During Beckham’s pro day, the 5’11” 230-pound running back recorded 36 reps on the 225-pound bench press, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds, posted a 44.5 inch vertical jump and an 11 foot broad jump. If he posted those numbers at the 2016 NFL Combine, Beckham would have finished at the top among the prospects in the vertical jump and bench press.

The Jets were one of a handful of teams in attendance for his pro day and obviously liked what they saw. It’s definitely a long shot for Beckham to make an NFL roster as he didn’t play any football in college. He’s also trying out as a running back in which the Jets currently have a plethora of on their roster. If Beckham does indeed receive a contract from Gang Green, he will still have the odds stacked against him for making the final 53-man roster.

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His best bet would be to beat out Zac Stacy and Khiry Robinson and make the team as the Jets No. 3 running back on the depth chart behind Bilal Powell and Matt Forte.

However, if he indeed does defy the odds and makes the final roster, he could very well see playing time on special teams mostly, but still, there’s no guarantee that Powell or Forte will stay healthy for the entire season.

Sometimes every athlete just needs that one opportunity to make their dreams come true.

For some, it takes multiple opportunities until they officially reach the big leagues, but it’s not entirely possible. Wayne Chrebet, Wes Welker, Kurt Warner, Chris Harris, Malcolm Butler and so on, have all gone undrafted and made the most of their opportunities.

If Beckham were to land on the final roster of the Jets, it’s not a bad opportunity for him. Yes, they have Powell and Forte as the No. 1 and  No. 2 running backs but Forte is 30-years-old going on 31 in December. He’s only signed with the Jets for three years but just how effective will he be once he reaches 33-years old?

Powell is a solid receiving back with a very bright potential as a hybrid threat but hasn’t been able to stay fully healthy for an entire season. If Beckham makes the most out of his opportunity such as the other undrafted athletes previously mentioned before, he could possibly be the go-to guy in a few seasons or so, given he is able to adapt to the NFL culture right away. It’s a long shot for this to happen but it’s not impossible for him to make the roster as long as he works as hard as he says he will and more.

This theory may seem far-fetched having a young prospect possibly make a final roster and be their future without having any experience playing college football, but it’s been done before. San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates never played college football, he enrolled at Michigan State to play football but his head coach told him he only wanted him to play football, nothing else.

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Gates than went to Eastern Michigan State and then later transferred to Ken State where he played two seasons of basketball. The Chargers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2003 and ever since then, Gates has become one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He currently is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time All-Pro, and is also the Chargers’ career leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. As previously mentioned, it’s not impossible for Beckham to have a bright career in the NFL.