Have the Dallas Cowboys already replaced Dez Bryant?
The Dallas Cowboys released Dez Bryant less than a month ago. But has the team already filled the void left by the number one wide receiver?
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is one of the best players in the organization’s history.
From touchdown records to highlight reel plays, the Dallas Cowboys relied on Bryant for the better part of the last eight years. Because of his status as a Cowboy great, many people are wondering how the Cowboys intend to make up his production.
In today’s article, we will discuss what the front office has done from a personnel standpoint as well as what the coaching staff has described the passing game to be in 2018.
Bryant’s 2017 numbers read as follows, 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns in a full season. To put that into perspective, wide receivers such as the San Fransisco 49ers Marquise Goodwin and the Miami Dolphins Kenny Stills had more receiving yards than Bryant.
Cleveland Browns running Back Duke Johnson Jr. and Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle were two of the 23 players ahead of Bryant in receptions. Dez Bryant did not have a terrible season statistically, but the numbers were nothing like his numbers in the earlier seasons of his career.
To think the Cowboys are losing the same player from the 2012 to 2014 seasons is inaccurate. Though the name on the back of the jersey is the same, the level of play has changed significantly.
When asking how the Cowboys can replace Bryant, it is important to note they are replacing average production that is not impossible to find. It is also important to note that there does not need to be one particular guy that fills the role of a traditional “number one” wide receiver.
The first thing the Cowboys front office did in regards to re-tooling the wide receiving corps was something they had harped on all off-season; making it ‘Dak-friendly’ for quarterback Dak Prescott.
Before turning to the personnel aspect of the changes, the front office and coaching staff made a conscious decision to change the nature of the teams passing game. With a quick google news search of ‘Dak Prescott‘, you won’t have any problem finding reports on plans for a new ‘Dak-friendly’ system.