NFL: 3 Teams That Should Sign Dez Bryant
The trade deadline may have passed last week, but there are still teams in need of wide receiver help in the second half of the season that was made evident after Josh Gordon headed to the Seattle Seahawks. Former star wide receiver Dez Bryant has taken to social media to voice that he’s hoping to latch to an NFL team in the coming weeks. Here are three potential landing spots for Bryant.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Since the departure of Antonio Brown, the Steelers have had a notable need to boost their passing game. Granted, part of that has come due to star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being out for the season, but the team hasn’t had strong production from their wideouts.
There is no telling what type of player Bryant is now after tearing his Achilles tendon last year, but he could step in to contribute. He could provide another big-bodied option in the passing game alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster, who has been in a bit of a funk so far this season.
The Steelers have been able to find their way over the last few weeks with three straight wins, making the possible addition of Bryant a move that the team should look into in the coming weeks.
2. Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have had their share of ups and downs this season, but they have pushed their way back up to the .500 mark through the first eight games of the season.
However, Oakland has lacked strong firepower in the passing game, with their current group of wide receivers led by Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow have been serviceable. Bryant would give them a legitimate red-zone threat that quarterback Derek Carr could depend on that the team had hoped to receive from Brown before his tenure ended.
Oakland has been in the middle of the pack in terms of their the passing game, while their rushing attack, led by standout rookie running back Josh Jacobs has led the charge. Jacobs has been among the most productive running backs in the league as he has already broken Hall of Famer Marcus Allen’s franchise rookie record in rushing yards.
Bryant could be a significant factor that brings some much-needed balance to their offense regardless of how much he has left in the tank to play at a high level. The Raiders are eyeing a strong push towards the playoffs in the second half of the season, which the former Pro Bowler can only further aid that effort.
1. New Orleans Saints
It’s funny how things can come full circle as the Saints were eyeing wide receiver help before the trade deadline, which saw them make a strong push to acquire Pro Bowler A.J. Green from the winless Cincinnati Bengals.
New Orleans has the benefit of possessing one of the game’s best wideouts in Michael Thomas, but there is a clear need to put some a more strong supporting cast around him at the position. They have been able to more than get by with that current group, but there is a reason why the Saints signed Bryant last year.
Bryant could provide another big-bodied red-zone asset that Drew Brees can utilize beyond Thomas, Tayson Hill, and tight end Jared Cook. What also helps is that he has some familiarity with the offense given that he was there for a few days before he suffered the Achilles injury.
There hasn’t been any chatter on this end from the Saints, but given that the team brought him in last season, there is no reason to believe that they won’t kick the tires on this scenario once again.
