Dallas finally made a decision regarding the future of Dez Bryant when the wide receiver met with Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones on Friday. Rather than working through a pay cut from Bryant's $12.5 million base salary for 2018, Dallas cut the 29-year-old before his ninth season.
The Cowboys suddenly have depth at wide receiver, with former Jaguars starter Allen Hurns having signed to join Terrance Williams, Cole Beasley and 2017 draft picks Ryan Switzer and Noah Brown. Former Bears and Bills backup Deonte Thompson also was signed as a flyer. Bryant carried a big cap number of $18.5 million and saves the team $8.5 million with his release.
Bryant had given Dallas diminished returns over the past three seasons and will turn 30 in November. But even though Bryant has played his last down for the Cowboys, he should be of particular interest to three other playoff contenders in 2018.
1. New England Patriots
The Patriots traded big-play threat Brandin Cooks to the Rams, and in order to help Rob Gronkowski, they are in the market for another big-bodied threat for the red zone who doesn't necessarily need to be another tight end. Bryant and his "X" mark both spots with his remaining speed and ability to go up and get the ball on shorter routes.
There's no doubt Bryant would want to close his career as a three-time Pro Bowler by playing for a team with Super Bowl expectations. Tom Brady has made it work with "receivers for hire" before. Bryant isn't the gamebreaker he once was, but he has the versatility to serve the Patriots well when he's not the go-to guy.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers struggled finishing drives last season, even after Jimmy Garoppolo took over and starred as a prolific yardage quarterback. Marquise Goodwin (5-9, 179 pounds) gives them the speed and quickness, while Pierre Garcon (6-0, 211 pounds) gives them the reliable hands and route-running. But a player of Bryant's size (6-2, 220 pounds) and leaping ability is missing.
Bryant can still put 'em up with the best of 'em on passes inside the 5-yard line. San Francisco's ability to spread the field, horizontally and vertically, plus Garoppolo's mobility would set up Bryant to remain a strong short-to-intermediate target.
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3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have tried their best to get Julio Jones more catches in the end zone, only to meet limited results. Part of the issue has been the flock of defenders the stellar wideout attracts while in scoring position. Atlanta of late has had no true outside complement for Jones, as Mohamed Sanu is better built to be a big slot receiver.
Matt Ryan was in the middle of the pack with his red zone TD passes (12) last season. Behind Jones and Sanu, disappointing 2015 fourth-rounder Justin Hardy is the next best option in a wideout corps that must be addressed in the draft.
Bryant would give the Falcons immediate impact as a co-No. 2 and make life in all routes easier for Jones. Dez and Julio, as big targets playing off the running game near the goal line, would be a tough schoolyard combination to contain.
