Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: 4 thoughts on a potential Dez Bryant signing

By Michael Natelli

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at AT&T Stadium on October 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his touchdown against the Washington Redskins during the first half at AT&T Stadium on October 27, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during warmups before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during warmups before playing against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 31, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Nothing to lose:

Assuming Dez Bryant would take the spot of Chris Moore, can he really provide less production than Moore’s three catches for 21 yards a season ago? With Duvernay, James Proche, and Kenjon Barner all now in the mix for return duties, Baltimore has made clear that Moore’s role on special teams is hardly safe as it is, and a fifth-year receiver who has never surpassed 20 catches in a season is worth cutting bait with to take a flier on one of the game’s elite pass catchers over the last decade. If Bryant were to fail, and Moore has already caught on elsewhere, the Ravens can reasonably expect to find another receiver on the free agent market that can slot into the bottom of their depth chart.

But what if he doesn’t fail? What if Bryant truly is recovered, and two years away from the game have him fresh and ready to produce? The Ravens are staring at the opportunity to add another legitimate receiving option late in the offseason/preseason for pennies on the dollar, with the option to simply cut bait if things don’t work out. Cutting Bryant would be a much cleaner break than dealing with the aftermath of a potential divorce with Antonio Brown, which could ruffle the feathers of Lamar Jackson or Marquise Brown. And Bryant’s body of NFL production is at least as worth taking a chance on as the potential of younger players like Boykin and Duvernay for a team with win-now Super Bowl aspirations.

Baltimore Ravens: Could this defense pace the league in sacks?. dark. Next

With the caveats of “right price” and a passed physical, there’s no reason the Ravens shouldn’t bring Dez Bryant into the mix to give the best offense in football another weapon. Bryant’s talent and experience would only stand to help Lamar Jackson take another leap in his third season, and his brand of passion and swagger fit with Baltimore’s group of personalities on the offensive side of the ball. Like the Ravens, he’s hungry, and a marriage that’s seemingly been in the stars for a decade should finally be sealed. How’s February sound for a ring ceremony?

Home/Ravens News