This Season’s Top Ten Dallas Cowboys Performers

Sep 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) jesters to the fans after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. Dallas won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

8. Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver

Sitting at seventeenth in the PFF wide receiver rankings, Dez Bryant probably isn’t too happy. Number 88 is the star of the big blue Dallas Star. He’s clearly the best receiver the Cowboys have, and is often included in conversations as one of the leagues finest. It’s hard to foresee anyone toppling Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson as the best receiver. But despite constant questioning and disregard about his attitude and personality by some, Dez is looking for continual improvement.

"“We’re not going to look ahead. That’s not what we’re about, we’re going to focus on our mistakes and try and make it better. That’s what we’re about.”"

With such a fine improvement to the Cowboys ground game Dez hasn’t been as bigger figure in the Cowboys offense as one might have expected. So far he has twenty three receptions and three touchdowns but his contribution has been much more than that. Finding himself double teamed more often than not, the Cowboys exploited this to Terrance Williams advantage versus the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Whilst Saints safety Jairus Byrd set his sites on limiting Dez, Romo picked out Williams for two touchdowns.

Bryant must continue to work on his route running. He’s shown steady improvement but there’s still occasions where he fails to run complete routes. In double coverage, running one vertical after another it sometimes take a little bit more to get the breakthrough. Dez is so athletically brilliant, he can battle in the air against most to make the catch. But if the Cowboys broke things up, introducing crossing routes with Cole Beasley involved we could see Dez become even more of an impetus for the team than he already is.