Atlanta Falcons: Should Trade for Former Star Receiver Dez Bryant
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Falcons are coming off of what was yet another disappointing season that saw their offense consistently struggle. Changes and adjustments will need to be made this off-season and one of those just might be, bringing Dez Bryant to Atlanta.
Regardless of your opinion of the former star receiver Dez would be a perfect fit for the Atlanta Falcons. Trading for Dez Bryant is an admittedly unorthodox idea but one that the Falcons should consider.
Dez Bryant is already being tossed around in the trade rumors after another tough season with Dak Prescott. For an offense whose focus this off-season will be becoming more “Dak friendly” it seems all but certain Bryant will take a pay cut or be on the move.
The biggest knock on Dez in 2017 was the fact that he dropped multiple passes. That in itself is a product of poor throws and tight coverage. Dez is a high point receiver, meaning he is at his best when going up in coverage and snatching the ball out of the air.
Since Dak has taken over at quarterback the way the ball is delivered and how often it is delivered has changed. Dez Bryant needs a change of scenery and lining up opposite Julio Jones in Atlanta might be the shot in the arm that the Falcons and Dez need.
The biggest knocks against pulling off such and improbable trade would be the cap space and the notion that Dez is washed up at twenty-nine years old.
Cap space won’t be a problem if the Falcons chose to start Dez Bryant instead Mohamed Sanu. And lest you think Sanu is capable of matching Bryant’s production here are a few comparisons in Bryant’s “washed up” season.
Dez’s longest reception was 50 yards while Sanu’s was an unimpressive 25. Their average per catch is in favor of Dez as well 12.1 to 10.5 to be exact. Sanu dropped 6 passes while Dez dropped 7 though he had far more chances than Sanu.
Dez Bryant is a diva receiver in every sense of the title. He is coming off of a rough season one that has many people questioning if he is still capable of putting a top receiver year together again.
Bryant in the right offense with the right quarterback, is more than capable of putting together another season that would reinstate him as one of the superstar receivers in the League.
Just in case you doubt his ability or what he can bring to an offense look no further than these catches.
Julio Jones and Dez Bryant would be the best wide receiver tandem in the League one that would terrorize defenses and allow Bryant to have pressure taken off and go back to being the receiver he is capable of being.
Bryant to Atlanta may be an impossible long shot but it is a move that the Falcons should explore one that would put Atlanta’s offense back on top.