Signing Dez Bryant is crazy — even for the LA Rams
By Jason Reed
The LA Rams have frequently made splash after splash this offseason. Thus, the team has been thrust into the Dez Bryant discussion.
The LA Rams have already added so much talent to an already talented foundation. Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and Brandin Cooks are all now members of the Rams. Los Angeles effectively built a super team.
The last move, trading for Brandin Cooks, seemed to the be the last big move the Rams would make. Los Angeles gave away its first-round pick to the Patriots in the deal to fill one of the only holes remaining on the roster. With the biggest need now being at linebacker, many expected the Rams to remain quiet until the 2018 NFL Draft.
And in typical fashion, the LA Rams are again tied to another superstar. The Dallas Cowboys released former Pro Bowl wide receiver, Dez Bryant. Although the LA Rams have not been included as a great fit by many, the team cannot help but creep back into the conversation.
Do you want to see the #Rams pursue Dez Bryant?
— LA Sports Hub (@LA_SportsHub) April 13, 2018
Even for an LA Rams team that is going all-in on winning a Super Bowl as soon as possible, the idea of signing Dez Bryant is crazy. For multiple reasons.
First of all, the contract reasons. Bryant is likely going to ask for a somewhat decent payday considering his status in the NFL. And while those demands probably won’t be met by any teams, the Rams do not have wiggle room to experiment with Bryant. They still have to re-sign Aaron Donald, after all.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
Second is Bryant’s lack of production in recent years. While his production has still been above the NFL average, he is no longer the superstar he was several years ago. Last season, Bryant caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns. While that is not bad, the Rams can get that same production out of Cooper Kupp or Robert Woods alongside Cooks’ 1000 or so yards.
And that leads right into the third, and most important, point: the Los Angeles Rams already traded for a receiver. With Brandin Cooks, signing Dez Bryant would just create a log-jam.
I did write before how the Rams could make a case for trading for Bryant, that was before the team landed Cooks. Heck, if Bryant got released before the Rams traded for Cooks I would have circled him as a fit.
However, Bryant seems to be a guy that has to be the first option on a team. There is no reason to think that he would be okay taking a second or even third role on the Rams. That would only cause more frustrations and more headaches that are unneeded on this young core of guys.
Next: Three draft day trades the Rams can pull off
Instead, Bryant may be better suited for a team like the Baltimore Ravens, where he can be the surefire first option for a gunslinging quarterback like Joe Flacco.