2013 Fantasy Outlook: Dez Bryant

Information is constantly changing in the NFL and fantasy player values can change at any moment. Having updated, informative news can help you not just at your fantasy football draft but during the regular season. Feel free to glance at our recent articles to make sound decisions throughout the year.

To help you get ready for draft day you will notice articles for ADP advice, cheat sheets, mock drafts and projected stats for Dez Bryant here. During the season, you can also find regular weekly ranking articles at this section as well.

Welcome to Dez Bryant fantasy football outlook archive. At this section of Bryant’s player page you will notice our past thoughts and advice for fantasy football.

Summer of 2012: Fantasy Projections

Dez Bryant has to be one of the more polarizing receivers in the fantasy football community, as he has the raw skill set to be a top five receiver, but his off the field problems, temper tantrums and lack luster route running are a problem.

In Bryant’s defense, this will be the first full offseason, because of the lockout last year. Everyone focused on the rookies as those players who would suffer because of the lockout, but you can’t forget about the second-year players.

I’ve seen enough of Bryant to believe that if he can show a hard work ethic this offseason and keep himself out of trouble, he will be a solid WR2 addition with upside.

Last year my buddy Matt De Lima knocked the upward trend in the fantasy community of Bryant’ being a WR2 addition and I believe he was right. It’s easy to fall in love with the next young star talent, but everyone seemed to forget that this guy doesn’t run routes well and makes his own up on the fly.

So far, so good as Bryant has drawn praise from his coaching staff for his hard work this offseason.

Trending as the 16th receiver of the board in current mocks, this should hold as fair value on draft day. With Laurent Robinson gone, he’s a nice addition in the fourth round.

Update 7 /18 - Unfortunately for Bryant’s dynasty owners he had another run in off the field in July as he reportedly had an physical altercation with this mother. A reported checkered past has come up with Bryant and his mother in the past but hopefully things will cool down as we get into camp.

Just another reminder of the player you are taking on draft day, and while I still view him as a WR2, he’s a late option in this range rather than the top twelve ranking I give him before.

	Receptions	Yards	TD
2012 Projected Stats	82	1,148	8

Summer of 2011: Fantasy Projections

Some players are so gifted it almost makes me scream when they have the type of character problems as Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys. This young receiver has the tools to be a top five fantasy receiver for years to come but his past and projected future problems off the field and possibly on will probably make him prone to boom and bust seasons, like Randy Moss or Terrell Owens.

With a player like Bryant, I tend to give them a “red flag” when it comes to their evaluation. That basically means that they may have great talent but their character issues could rise up and become a problem in any season. Sadly, I’ve found through the years, many of these types tend of have their biggest problems when their fantasy value is at its higher points, and their best seasons when their value is at its lower points.

Right now, Bryant looks to be coming into this season putting his early season issues behind him as Owner Jerry Jones has publicly backed his talented young receiver. I hope that is the case as I value Bryant’s fantasy value to be still on the lower side, as he’s yet to put a full season together at the pro level.

In the time that Bryant was on the field last season, it was clear this kid could be good enough to be a top ten fantasy receiver, and I wouldn’t be surprised is he played at that level this season.

Coming into the summer, Bryant’s ADP value on Mock Draft Central is listed as the 21st receiver (52.29 overall average pick) going in PPR leagues and the 20th receiver in standard redraft leagues. This is fair value as Bryant would make for a gamble as a No.2 receiver to begin the season, but it’s a worthy try as one of the later No.2 options off the board.

With Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Tony Romo around, Bryant has a terrific supporting cast to allow him to have a big season in year two. There may be problems with Bryant’s character in the future, but for now he’ should be a great addition and still looks like a top fifteen receiver to own in dynasty leagues. Here’s hoping I’m wrong about his character, going forward and his “red flag label” is taken away in a few years.

	Receptions	Yards	TD
2011 Projected Stats	81	1,055	8

2010 Preview

Dez Bryant had to wait until later in the first round to be selected in the first round but it was worth it as the Cowboys jumped up and got him. This season Bryant will fight with Roy Williams for a starting job but by 2011 he will be a clear starter. This is a great situation for Bryant and it adds fantasy value to Tony Romo right away.

2010 Fantasy Football Outlook

College / 2010 NFL Draft: Dez Bryant has all the talent in the world and until things quieted down in OTA’s, he brought all the drama with his skill. Because of an off the field misunderstanding the NCAA kicked Bryant off of being eligible to play with OSU in his final season in college.

Audio: WR Dez Bryant | 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings

By the time the NFL draft started Bryant’s name was dragged through the mud by some in the press as they questioned his maturity. In the end, Jerry Jones rolled the dice on Bryant where he failed years ago with Randy Moss and selected him late in the first round.

2010 NFL Fantasy Football Player Rankings: While Bryant fell out of the top ten picks on draft day, he did land in a great situation for himself. So far, this offseason he is blowing away coaches with his skill and ability, and they are trusting him with what is expected to be a major amount of work right away.

If Bryant isn’t starting opposite Miles Austin early in the season it won’t take him long as he is by far the better talent (and harder worker) then Roy E. Williams. Williams seems to have lost his motivation to be a good NFL player and this is self evident in his play and his excuse making.

Look for Bryant to be an explosive option at some point for your fantasy team in his rookie season. Unless he wins the starting job in August, I wouldn’t recommend you think about him as a starter for your team. Still, he should be a player you take in the early middle rounds of your fantasy draft because he’s a clear fantasy stud of the future.

Assets

- Big Plays

- Great Overall Skill

- Great Quarterback / Offense

- Plays In A Dome

Liabilities

- Needs To Win A Starting Job

- Lots Of Talented Players In The Offense