Dez Bryant has become the dominant force on the Dallas Cowboys offense for the last 2 years now and heads into a contract year primed for a massive new deal should he continue his run as one of the most dangerous receivers in the NFL.
Bryant has been a durable presence since ascending to the number 1 role with Dallas, but did have an assortment of injuries in his first 2 years as a professional. A broken ankle in his rookie season forced him to miss the final 4 games, while in his 2nd year he missed the game against the 49ers with a thigh complaint. Since then he has appeared on the injury report 18 times with numerous ailments, but has always been able to take his place on game day.
We all know that serious injuries can happen to anyone though and wondered what would happen if Dez Bryant were lost for the season.
Would Dallas be able to rely as much on their passing game, would Tony Romo, presuming he is back to full fitness, be able to dial it down a notch or would the Cowboys running game come to the rescue?
BUY
Terrance Williams, WR – After a better than expected rookie season, the 2013 3rd rounder has locked himself into the number 2 role with the Cowboys. An injury to Dez Bryant would benefit no one more than Terrance Williams though. Dallas has recorded a fantasy WR1 with 3 different guys in every one of the last 8 years, with the exception of 2011 when 3 players topped 850 yards in a young Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Laurent Robinson. Bryant and Robinson finished as high to mid WR2s, while Witten finished where he always does as a top 6 tight end. Williams may not be ready for such a leap, but he has good size and speed and would be the undisputed focus of the passing game.
HOLD
Jason Witten, TE – At age 32 Jason Witten may no longer be a threat to break into the top 3 fantasy tight ends, but still should have enough left to be a 100 target guy for the Cowboys. With the absence of Dez Bryant, Witten would become the lone experienced receiver and by default would become Romo’s go to guy. This could see a slight uptick in targets.
DeMarco Murray, RB – The loss of Dez Bryant would hopefully finally force the Dallas Cowboys to use what they have in DeMarco Murray. Dallas tend to rely on the passing game, even sometimes at the expense of putting a game away. Murray is in his prime and ready to showcase his game breaking skills in a year where his contract is due to expire. Were Bryant to go down, Murray is a skilful, tough runner and excels as a receiver. The offense should now run through him and Bryant’s red zone threat may move to Murray instead.
SELL
Tony Romo, QB - Romo has managed to finish as a QB1 for the last 7 years, except for his injury riddled 2010 season. The Dallas offense would struggle without Bryant, but Romo has done it before with lesser talent. Dallas have the veteran Jason Witten and 2nd year players Terrance Williams and Gavin Escobar to keep the offense moving, while DeMarco Murray is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Romo will not have the upside of a top 6 fantasy quarterback, but you could trade him on name recognition and a good sales pitch. At best he should be a borderline QB1, but that’s not what you drafted him to be. Get a good price if you can or keep him for depth purposes.
ADD
Gavin Escobar, TE – Taken in the 2nd round in 2013, Escobar is a big target who looked lost in his first year, but that is often the case with rookie tight ends. He has had a good training camp and Dallas intend on lining him up occasionally at wide receiver. 6-6 athletic tight ends are matchup nightmares for opposing defenses, so if Escobar has taken the big leap as many 2nd year tight ends do, he may be more than just a ready-made Jason Witten replacement if Bryant is lost for the year.
Dwayne Harris, WR – Drafted in the 6th round of the 2011 draft, Harris has been unable to make his mark as a receiver, but has excelled as a special teamer. After 17 receptions in 2012, he recorded only 9 in 2013. Harris has a tenuous hold on the number 4 role right now and should Bryant go down would be the favorite to beat Cole Beasley to the number 2 role. If rookie Devin Street or another of the deeper roster receivers such as LaRon Byrd beats him for the number 4 role, pencil them in instead.
WATCH
Devin Street, WR – The 5th rounder from the 2014 draft needs a bit of work, but Dallas has done well with late round and undrafted picks recently. Street has good height, but needs to build some bulk and learn to get off the line of scrimmage if he is to succeed in the NFL. He is not worth adding if Bryant goes down, but if he can get some reps and targets then may be worth adding later in the season.
DROP
Cole Beasley, WR – There are some touting Beasley as a very deep sleeper this year and those expecting the undersized Beasley to become the Wes Welker/Danny Amendola of this offense will have their dreams shattered with the loss of Dez Bryant. The only reason Beasley would get open is opposing defenses preoccupied with Bryant destroying them. Beasley is too small to move into the number 2 role and would see a significant lack of opportunities as the Cowboys move to more 2 tight end sets.
