I wouldn't call myself a Dez Bryant fan. It was understandable that Dallas released him rather than pay him the money they owed him to be out there as a non-difference-making, injury-prone veteran who no longer has any separation skills. That being said, I'm a little surprised that he doesn't have a job yet.
The Ravens, who had an inexplicable offseason of throwing money at marginal receivers (even when they later thought better of it, as with Ryan Grant), offered Bryant a multi-year deal that he (unwisely, it seems) turned down. I saw a report last week that said the 49ers are considered the favorite to sign Dez, which I guess makes sense with them only having Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garcon (coming off injury) as sure things. I'd link to that story but it gave me a warning message that I'd contracted a virus, always fun. But you can find it if you wish.
But whatever the case, he's available. He'll sign somewhere eventually, and I think he makes sense as a late-round pick in fantasy drafts.
Bryant caught 69 passes for 838 yards and 4 TDs last season. Not numbers anyone will run to secure in their leagues, but you may be surprised to learn only 15 players caught more passes in 2017.
| WIDE RECEIVER STATS, 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | No | Yds | TD |
| Jarvis Landry, Mia. | 112 | 987 | 9 |
| Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | 109 | 1156 | 6 |
| Michael Thomas, N.O. | 104 | 1245 | 5 |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 102 | 1393 | 7 |
| Antonio Brown, Pitt. | 101 | 1533 | 9 |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Hou. | 96 | 1378 | 13 |
| Golden Tate, Det. | 92 | 1003 | 5 |
| Adam Thielen, Minn. | 91 | 1276 | 4 |
| Julio Jones, Atl. | 88 | 1444 | 3 |
| Demaryius Thomas, Den. | 83 | 949 | 5 |
| Tyreek Hill, K.C. | 75 | 1183 | 8 |
| A.J. Green, Cin. | 75 | 1078 | 8 |
| Doug Baldwin, Sea. | 75 | 991 | 8 |
| Davante Adams, G.B. | 74 | 885 | 10 |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 71 | 1001 | 5 |
| Dez Bryant, Dall. | 69 | 838 | 6 |
| Mohamed Sanu, Atl. | 67 | 703 | 9 |
| Jamison Crowder, Wash. | 66 | 789 | 3 |
| Randall Cobb, G.B. | 66 | 653 | 4 |
| Brandin Cooks, N.E. | 65 | 1082 | 7 |
| Jermaine Kearse, NYJ | 65 | 810 | 5 |
| Stefon Diggs, Minn. | 64 | 849 | 8 |
| Robby Anderson, NYJ | 63 | 941 | 7 |
| Devin Funchess, Car. | 63 | 840 | 8 |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 62 | 869 | 5 |
| Nelson Agholor, Phil. | 62 | 768 | 9 |
| Marvin Jones, Det. | 61 | 1101 | 9 |
| Danny Amendola, N.E. | 61 | 659 | 2 |
| Adam Humphries, T.B. | 61 | 631 | 1 |
| Sterling Shepard, NYG | 59 | 731 | 2 |
| Kendall Wright, Chi. | 59 | 614 | 1 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt. | 58 | 917 | 8 |
| Kenny Stills, Mia. | 58 | 847 | 6 |
| Michael Crabtree, Oak. | 58 | 618 | 9 |
| T.Y. Hilton, Ind. | 57 | 966 | 4 |
| DeVante Parker, Mia. | 57 | 670 | 1 |
| Marquise Goodwin, S.F. | 56 | 962 | 2 |
| Robert Woods, LAR | 56 | 781 | 5 |
| Alshon Jeffery, Phil. | 56 | 781 | 10 |
| Marqise Lee, Jac. | 56 | 702 | 3 |
| Eric Decker, Tenn. | 54 | 563 | 1 |
| Rishard Matthews, Tenn. | 53 | 795 | 4 |
| Ted Ginn, N.O. | 53 | 787 | 4 |
| Terrance Williams, Dall. | 53 | 568 | 0 |
| Jordy Nelson, G.B. | 53 | 482 | 6 |
| Mike Wallace, Balt. | 52 | 748 | 4 |
| Brandon LaFell, Cin. | 52 | 548 | 3 |
| DeSean Jackson, T.B. | 50 | 668 | 3 |
| Martavis Bryant, Pitt. | 50 | 603 | 3 |
| Kelvin Benjamin, Buf.-Car. | 48 | 692 | 3 |
| Amari Cooper, Oak. | 48 | 680 | 7 |
| Emmanuel Sanders, Den. | 47 | 555 | 2 |
| Ryan Grant, Wash. | 45 | 573 | 4 |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 45 | 555 | 3 |
| Paul Richardson, Sea. | 44 | 703 | 6 |
| Tyrell Williams, LAC | 43 | 728 | 4 |
| Seth Roberts, Oak. | 43 | 455 | 1 |
| Pierre Garcon, S.F. | 40 | 500 | 0 |
| Jeremy Maclin, Balt. | 40 | 440 | 3 |
To be clear: I'm not really expecting Bryant to sign somewhere and set the world afire. Injuries and perhaps the mileage have caught up with him, and maybe he has an inflated view of his own worth.
But I think he will sign somewhere either on the eve of training camp or during, and I won't be surprised if he's a starter, a No. 1 or No. 2. You could do worse at where he's likely being drafted in early best-ball leagues.
--Andy Richardson