San Francisco 49ers: Taking comfort in the Browns getting Odell Beckham Jr.

Well, the San Francisco 49ers were unable to trade for star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., as he now goes from the New York Giants to the Cleveland Browns. We’re here to comfort you, Niners Faithful.

In case you missed it, the San Francisco 49ers are no longer in the hunt for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Why? Well, the New York Giants are trading him to the Cleveland Browns. Not the Niners despite plenty of rumor and speculation Beckham would be heading to the West Coast.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo initially broke the news Tuesday afternoon, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the terms of the trade:

That seems to be far less than what one would have expected the Giants to get for Beckham. A mid-first rounder and a third-round pick? A middle-of-the-road starting safety in Jabril Peppers?

Not terribly much, all things considered.

In all honesty, it’s hard to wonder how the 49ers couldn’t have made such a deal. Granted, moving the No. 2 overall pick straight up for Beckham would have been too much for San Francisco. But swapping picks with the Giants, who select at No. 6 overall, and a few other pieces could have done it, right? At least based off what Cleveland gave up.

OK, Niners fans. We’re here to calm you down a bit.

It might not help much. After all, no 49ers wideout crested 500 receiving yards in 2018. Beckham, meanwhile, has crested 1,000 yards in four of his five years at the pro level — the only exception being an injury-plagued 2017 campaign.

Still, it doesn’t take too much to understand San Francisco’s primary needs this offseason are on the defensive side of the ball. Not offense. And when you look back at recent Super Bowl winners of this era, how many of those championship squads required an elite-level receiver?

The point being is the 49ers don’t need an elite wideout. That’s an argument NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco made only a few days ago. Would Beckham have helped head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense? Absolutely. Would he have been the difference maker the Niners need heading into 2019?

Maybe. Maybe not. At least not with so many holes on defense.

It would be one thing if the 49ers were a player or two away from being legitimate Super Bowl contenders. After all, at least as referenced by Sacramento’s ESPN 1320’s Mark Kreidler, Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh used to note a top wide receiver was a “finishing touch” to a well-constructed roster.

Not a building-block piece. Sadly, the Niners are still in that stage right now.

Instead, San Francisco can utilize its resources to upgrade the defense. And it looks as if general manager John Lynch and Co. will do so, already having linebacker Kwon Alexander join the fray and making a blockbuster trade for Kansas City Chiefs EDGE Dee Ford.

And that No. 2 overall draft pick isn’t going anywhere either. It will likely be used on a much-needed defender, perhaps Ohio State EDGE Nick Bosa or Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

Does this make you feel a bit better about not grabbing Beckham? Hopefully a little bit. Not much, perhaps.

If not at all, at least you can feel somewhat good for the long-time hapless Browns fans.