Dallas Cowboys are now forced to draft a wide receiver
Why would the Dallas Cowboys mention releasing Dez Bryant before drafting a wide receiver or developing talent into that role?
The front office of the Dallas Cowboys has an extreme love for the spotlight. I would find it hard to believe that general manager, owner and president Jerry Jones has ever stood in front of a microphone that he didn’t like. Unfortunately it also applies to his son Stephen Jones, the Cowboys executive vice president, chief executive officer (CEO) and director of player personnel.
A firestorm was caused recently when it was repeatedly mentioned that the Cowboys might look to trade wide receiver Dez Bryant if he didn’t accept a pay cut. As the front office, you lose any leverage by revealing your cards prematurely. Management doesn’t have to jump in front of a camera to make definitive statements about a player’s future. A few phone calls behind closed doors would allow the NFL rumor mill to do the rest.
Recently, the Kansas City Chiefs unexpectedly traded high profile cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs general manager, Brett Veach or the owner Clark Hunt wasn’t in the media spotlight claiming they would review Peters’ entire season.
The Chiefs front office didn’t reveal that Peters was trade bait until it happened. It was rumored because of the moves that the front office had made. The Chiefs signed cornerback David Amerson to a one year contract then traded quarterback Alex Smith to get cornerback Kendall Fuller and a third round pick in 2018.
Based on that – what has the Dallas Cowboys done that would make our number one wide receiver expendable? The answer is – Nothing. Let’s review the Cowboys drafted wide receivers since Bryant.
| Year | Round | Name |
| 2017 | 4th | Ryan Switzer |
| 2017 | 7th | Noah Brown |
| 2014 | 5th | Devin Street |
| 2013 | 3rd | Terrance Williams |
| 2012 | 5th | Danny Coale |
| 2011 | 6th | Dwayne Harris |
| 2010 | 1st | Dez Bryant |
If you want to include receiver Brice Butler, he was a 7th round draft pick in 2013 by the Oakland Raiders. So before the front office wants to mention removing Bryant, they should ask – Who’s replacing Bryant and his years of experience?
Without a true GM, we haven’t invested any resources into the wide receiver position. We also haven’t developed any talent into a number one guy. It doesn’t matter if Terrence Williams is the only receiver on the field, he still isn’t a true number one. Even worse, he hasn’t become greater than he was when he was drafted. I don’t care if you add an exhaust, stickers, bolt-on wings and a turbo on your Honda Civic, it’s never going to be a Ferrari.
I’m a big believer that new players develop faster with a veteran. Linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Jaylon Smith benefit from Sean Lee. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is a special talent, but still benefits from Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden. Quarterback Dak Prescott had his best season with Kellen Moore, Mark Sanchez and Tony Romo on the sideline. Every Cowboys’ tight end learns from the great Jason Witten.
Next: Cowboys 2018 Post-Combine 7 Round Mock Draft 2.0
I believe the Dallas Cowboys need to find a true number one receiver in the 2018 NFL draft to learn from Dez Bryant – especially if the front office is going to talk about pay cuts or trades.
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