Dallas Cowboys should pair Calvin Ridley with Dez Bryant

Many believe the Dallas Cowboys would replace Dez Bryant with a player like Calvin Ridley. But what if they simply paired the two instead?

Following a fiery interview about his future with the Dallas Cowboys, the topic of Dez Bryant is at the forefront of the headlines this week. And that’s falls perfectly in conjunction with the start of the NFL’s Scouting Combine, which kicks off on Tuesday. The two are connected.

The 29-year Bryant took to the radio waves last Friday to defend his declining play and massive salary. This week, the Cowboys will go about the task of possible scouting Dez’s replacement in Dallas as college wide receivers take the field in Indianapolis to be scouted prior to the upcoming NFL draft.

One name linked to the Cowboys’ very early on has been Alabama’s Calvin Ridley. Widely considered the best wide receiver prospect among this talented draft class, many believe Ridley will be a top ten selection. Possessing the 19th overall pick in the first round, the Cowboys would either have to trade up or hope Ridley falls to them this April.

But what if the Cowboys are able to land Ridley? Does that mean Bryant is destined to be a June 1st cut? Not necessarily. In fact, according to one draft expert, Dallas would be better off playing the two together in 2018.

"“Dallas is a better team with Dez Bryant on the roster,” responded Dane Brugler in a mailbag post for the Dallas Morning News. “I’m all for adding Calvin Ridley, but it is because he is the ideal complement to Dez. We can debate whether or not Dez is a No. 1 wide receiver, but I think Ridley is a high-end No. 2 wide receiver and that’s a lot to ask of a rookie to come in and fill’s Dez’s shoes.”"

One of the long lasting arguments made in Bryant’s favor has been that he’s lacked a complementary receiver on the other side of the field of him in order to maximize his production. Playing opposite of Ridley, Bryant would presumably see less double-teams and hopefully more open deep and underneath routes.

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If the Dallas Cowboys decide to keep Dez Bryant this season, don’t be shock to see them also pursue Calvin Ridley in the draft. Having them both on the field in Dallas could be a real game-changer.