The Packers Should Pass on Bryant

As soon as news broke that Dez Bryant was released by the Cowboys on Thursday, Packers fans were calling for the Packers to at least put in a call to Bryant.  The most common refrain was that an offense with Bryant coupled with Jimmy Graham, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb, would be unstoppable in the red zone.

While it may be true that Bryant could make the offense better, it would hardly be worth it.  Bryant is a big bodied receiver, without blazing speed and has run essentially three routes in his time with the Cowboys.   At this point, adding a receiver like Bryant while maybe making the offense better, would be of diminishing returns;  The Packers already have a great red zone offense. It has been that way for the last couple of years, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue without Jordy Nelson considering the addition of Jimmy Graham.  After all, Graham, while being a threat in all aspects of the passing game is most valuable in the red zone

This is not to say that the Packers don’t need help in the receiving area. They certainly do. It’s just an any additional should be focused on improving the offense before the red zone.  A receiver that could stretch the field would be most helpful. They just got rid of Jordy Nelson, who is a big-bodied receiver.  While he is older and not as athletic as Bryant, he is a far better route runner.  Adding Bryant would be curious as there would seem to be no real direction as to what they are trying to do to improve the position for the long term.  Anything Bryant brings could have been had with Nelson and Adams as a combination.

And Bryant certainly has diva traits.  Martellus Bennett had many red flags last year.  The Packers took a chance and missed badly.  That was not about missing in unrestricted free agency as much as it was about signing a guy who had burned bridges with multiple other teams.

All other things equal, Bryant would make the offense better. No question.  If they could sign him for one year at 5 million or less, that would be great.    But there is no way that will happen.  The number of money teams have spent on wide receivers has been huge. While the timing is his release may hold his price down some he will still command a hefty sum.

Pass.