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Official Dez Bryant (2 Viewers)

Serious question not meant to fish. I'm a Dez owner but I saw this on NFL Network or something and I thought it'd be dumb to start a brand new thread like so many people do for questions like this...

Is Dez' days as an elite WR over? I don't necessarily mean strictly for fantasy or strictly for real life; it can be either or both. 

I feel like this guy is one of those over rated WRs that you take just because he was at one point one of the best, but he hasn't really performed to that standard for years. I drafted Dez as my WR 1 (Diggs and Hilton), but my expectations have been met and even a little exceeded TBH. I am not counting on him performing at the levels of Julio, OBJ, Green, Brown... so that brings up this question... do you think he will ever get back there or is he always going to be in that second tier of WRs that you're not too thrilled to draft but you are kind of forced to (DT, Hopkins, etc) 

Thoughts? 

 

 
Dr. Dan said:
Serious question not meant to fish. I'm a Dez owner but I saw this on NFL Network or something and I thought it'd be dumb to start a brand new thread like so many people do for questions like this...

Is Dez' days as an elite WR over? I don't necessarily mean strictly for fantasy or strictly for real life; it can be either or both. 

I feel like this guy is one of those over rated WRs that you take just because he was at one point one of the best, but he hasn't really performed to that standard for years. I drafted Dez as my WR 1 (Diggs and Hilton), but my expectations have been met and even a little exceeded TBH. I am not counting on him performing at the levels of Julio, OBJ, Green, Brown... so that brings up this question... do you think he will ever get back there or is he always going to be in that second tier of WRs that you're not too thrilled to draft but you are kind of forced to (DT, Hopkins, etc) 

Thoughts? 

 
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I agree.  I've never thought he was that special, just a product of the system.  I have him on my team as well and when i watch him he is getting no separation anymore.  The only good thing for this year is that Dax is feeding him targets.  He is bound to have a big game

 
Well he's also gone against 3 straight elite corners.  Big games are coming.  I have him on a 2-1 team and think he's gonna be great moving forward

 
Dr. Dan said:
Serious question not meant to fish. I'm a Dez owner but I saw this on NFL Network or something and I thought it'd be dumb to start a brand new thread like so many people do for questions like this...

Is Dez' days as an elite WR over? I don't necessarily mean strictly for fantasy or strictly for real life; it can be either or both. 

I feel like this guy is one of those over rated WRs that you take just because he was at one point one of the best, but he hasn't really performed to that standard for years. I drafted Dez as my WR 1 (Diggs and Hilton), but my expectations have been met and even a little exceeded TBH. I am not counting on him performing at the levels of Julio, OBJ, Green, Brown... so that brings up this question... do you think he will ever get back there or is he always going to be in that second tier of WRs that you're not too thrilled to draft but you are kind of forced to (DT, Hopkins, etc) 
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He was completely dominant through 2014. Following year was a lost season -- he had a Jones fracture, Romo was out. Last year, he was hurt the first half of the year, but over the last 9 games he put up 50/900/8. When he's been healthy and had a good QB, he's produced pretty consistently.

 
zftcg said:
He was completely dominant through 2014. Following year was a lost season -- he had a Jones fracture, Romo was out. Last year, he was hurt the first half of the year, but over the last 9 games he put up 50/900/8. When he's been healthy and had a good QB, he's produced pretty consistently.
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Exactly why I pose the question. There's a point to be made about him being dominant at one time, but that was so long ago in football terms... 

need2know said:
Well he's also gone against 3 straight elite corners.  Big games are coming.  I have him on a 2-1 team and think he's gonna be great moving forward
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Yes. I agree

 
Dr. Dan said:
Exactly why I pose the question. There's a point to be made about him being dominant at one time, but that was so long ago in football terms... 

Yes. I agree
Click to expand...


Im a Cowboys fan and I'm pretty sour on the guy but from a fantasy perspective.....

Using the stats listed above of 9 games, 50/900/8...

Per game that's:

5.5 catches

100 yards

.89 TD

So at that pace at 16 games we get:

88/1800/14

How much more dominant do you want him to be?

 
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STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
Im a Cowboys fan and I'm pretty sour on the guy but from a fantasy perspective.....

Using the stats listed above of 9 games, 50/900/8...

Per game that's:

5.5 catches

100 yards

.89 TD

So at that pace at 16 games we get:

88/1800/14

How much more dominant do you want him to be?
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This is an interesting statistic, and yes it's insane how dominant he has been over the last 9 games. I guess I consider myself having somewhat of a steal. 

I find it odd how every talking head on whatever show I happened to be watching was confident that he was absolutely not a dominant WR any longer. Mostly referencing his drops while showing "lowlight" after "lowlight" of him dropping passes. While his drops are concerning, from a FF perspective I can't help but just love the amount of targets this guy gets. Eventually it's going to result in production.

I'm a guy that just loves volume, no matter how bad or good the person is... volume eventually should lead to more points. Dez seems to get lots of volume. I guess I didn't realize how much he has actually put up over the last 9 games... that's pretty amazing. 

 
STEADYMOBBIN 22 said:
Im a Cowboys fan and I'm pretty sour on the guy but from a fantasy perspective.....

Using the stats listed above of 9 games, 50/900/8...

Per game that's:

5.5 catches

100 yards

.89 TD
Click to expand...
You know, I was repeating a stat I had heard, but I don't want to be responsible for spreading fake news, so I figured I'd check his game log. Turns out I was way off.

His full stats for the *season* were 50/896/8. Over his last 9 games, Dez put up 39/646/7. Over a full season, that's 69/1148/12, or 4/72/0.8 per game.

Alternatively, you could look at his per-game output over the 12 games he played all year (missed 3 for injury plus sat out Wk17): 4/66/0.67

So still good, but not as dominant as he was 2012-14. I think the TDs are key, though. Based on his track record, he's pretty much guaranteed to put up double digits if he plays a full season (and this year, he's on pace to do it again). TD rates are frequently unsustainable, but based on his history as well as his RZ usage, I'm fairly confident he's an outlier.

So that's the stats-based case. As for what the tape shows, I'll defer to others, but I have heard some people I trust saying they think he's lost a step, so that's still something to consider. But like I said, I think the TDs offer him a good floor. Plus, as we've seen with other physical WRs like Marshall and Boldin, RZ utilization tends to persist even as they age.

 
zftcg said:
You know, I was repeating a stat I had heard, but I don't want to be responsible for spreading fake news, so I figured I'd check his game log. Turns out I was way off.

His full stats for the *season* were 50/896/8. Over his last 9 games, Dez put up 39/646/7. Over a full season, that's 69/1148/12, or 4/72/0.8 per game.

Alternatively, you could look at his per-game output over the 12 games he played all year (missed 3 for injury plus sat out Wk17): 4/66/0.67

So still good, but not as dominant as he was 2012-14. I think the TDs are key, though. Based on his track record, he's pretty much guaranteed to put up double digits if he plays a full season (and this year, he's on pace to do it again). TD rates are frequently unsustainable, but based on his history as well as his RZ usage, I'm fairly confident he's an outlier.

So that's the stats-based case. As for what the tape shows, I'll defer to others, but I have heard some people I trust saying they think he's lost a step, so that's still something to consider. But like I said, I think the TDs offer him a good floor. Plus, as we've seen with other physical WRs like Marshall and Boldin, RZ utilization tends to persist even as they age.
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Yeah he scores TDS better than most wr

 
I never seriously thought about benching him.  Didn't want to watch him have a good game on my bench. He did well these last few games considering the horrible matchups

No way I'm sitting him for my wr4

 
Dr. Dan said:
Is Dez' days as an elite WR over? I don't necessarily mean strictly for fantasy or strictly for real life; it can be either or both. 
 
Click to expand...


I don't know about non-PPR leagues but no he is not elite in PPR fantasy and he's actually better in fantasy in real life so no he's not elite there either.  Has not been either since 2014 and won't be again and it's not injuries, QB or matchups.  Good red zone WR though.

 
He's never been used correctly IMO .. sure, he could do a lot of things better - but he's proven that he is capable - but fit whatever reason it just seems the cowboy offense will never let him win a game for them. 

I still think he s elite. I just think the offensive play calling has oddly left him out as the a top option. 

 
Any other Dez owners pumped for the Zeke suspension to start?  I think he gets way more involved in the overall game plan.  So tired of watching them hand off 25 times a game.  Hopefully the run game will sputter without Zeke and they will air it out more.

 
Jman18980 said:
Any other Dez owners pumped for the Zeke suspension to start?  I think he gets way more involved in the overall game plan.  So tired of watching them hand off 25 times a game.  Hopefully the run game will sputter without Zeke and they will air it out more.
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They’re gonna to stick to the plan by rotating the carries between McFadden and Morris. I wouldn’t hang my hat on them throwing more because Zeke is gone but Hell anything could happen. This week Dez has a really great matchup so I would strongly consider starting him.

Tex

 
No updates since Monday? Really hoping I don't have to pick up a replacement-level WR to start with him out. Even if he plays hurt, I'd gladly run a hobbled Dez out there over the likes of Humphries and Jordan Matthews.

 
zftcg said:
No updates since Monday? Really hoping I don't have to pick up a replacement-level WR to start with him out. Even if he plays hurt, I'd gladly run a hobbled Dez out there over the likes of Humphries and Jordan Matthews.
Click to expand...
And right on cue, we have an update:

Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (groin) and WR Dez Bryant won't practice today. Dez has a sprained ankle and bruised knee.
Click to expand...

 
FGITLOTR said:
Terrence Williams banged up too?
Click to expand...
Reportedly practicing today. No confirmation but he was expected to practice. 

As a past Dez owner, I advise caution here - the Cowboys are clearly a team that believes in, and utilizes "the decoy". 

So even if Dez is "active" on Sunday, that really doesn't mean much for projecting his production. It's just as likely that he'll be out there limping around in his pajamas. I've lost games because of it - it's painful. 

I grabbed up Williams. If Dez is out he could have a monster game. 

 
Hot Sauce Guy said:
Reportedly practicing today. No confirmation but he was expected to practice. 

As a past Dez owner, I advise caution here - the Cowboys are clearly a team that believes in, and utilizes "the decoy". 

So even if Dez is "active" on Sunday, that really doesn't mean much for projecting his production. It's just as likely that he'll be out there limping around in his pajamas. I've lost games because of it - it's painful. 

I grabbed up Williams. If Dez is out he could have a monster game. 
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Great post. I agree on Williams 

 
Has yet to practice this week, but Dez says he's going to play on Sunday.  If he practices today, is he for sure in on Sunday?  If he doesn't practice today should we look for a quick replacement?  I have both of my starting WRs with injuries this week - neither fully practices.  With a short bench, I don't have room to spare.  Really hoping Dez can play on Sunday.

 
Cowboys WR Dez Bryant (knee, ankle) returned to practice Friday after not practicing all week. He was moving well, even made a one-handed catch.
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https://twitter.com/DMN_George/status/929038973292417024

Still not sure I'll be starting him, it comes down to him or Juju for me. Desmond Trufant has been really solid this year and is back in the line-up, and I don't know how effective a hobbled Dez can be, but today was a good sign for those wondering if he'll suit up this weekend.

 
need2know said:
I think with Zeke out, Dez s targets and numbers are about to skyrocket
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Except for the high ankle sprain & knee injury limiting him I’d agree.

Likely a really good week for Beasly & Williams owners though. ;)  

a lot depends on whether he practices today. If Dez misses today’s practice & is a true game-time decision I’d be very cautious about starting “decoy Dez”. 

 
Hot Sauce Guy said:
Except for the high ankle sprain & knee injury limiting him I’d agree.

Likely a really good week for Beasly & Williams owners though. ;)  

a lot depends on whether he practices today. If Dez misses today’s practice & is a true game-time decision I’d be very cautious about starting “decoy Dez”. 
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He did.  Supposedly looked great today too

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dez Bryant (knee, ankle) was "moving well" in his return to practice on Friday.

Beat writer Brandon George noted Bryant made a one-handed catch on Friday. After sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday, Dez's return bodes very well for his chances of facing the Falcons on Sunday. He will be a fringe WR1 in a game that has this week's highest total at 49 points

 
need2know said:
He did.  Supposedly looked great today too

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dez Bryant (knee, ankle) was "moving well" in his return to practice on Friday.

Beat writer Brandon George noted Bryant made a one-handed catch on Friday. After sitting out on Wednesday and Thursday, Dez's return bodes very well for his chances of facing the Falcons on Sunday. He will be a fringe WR1 in a game that has this week's highest total at 49 points
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Sounds quite a bit more optimistic than this: 
 

Dez Bryant (ankle, knee) is questionable for Week 10 against the Falcons.

Bryant was reportedly "moving well" at Friday's practice. After sitting out early in the week, he's trending toward playing Sunday. Bryant isn't 100 percent, but has the makings for a big game in a potential shootout.
Click to expand...

 
Yesterday (11/13/17) was 1 year since Bryant had 100 yds or more in a regular season game.  He did go over 100 in the Green Bay playoff game in 2016.

 
Without having Zeke it hurts Dez much more. The offense is so one dimensional now - try to figure out a running game with Morris and Smith, or throw to Dez.

 
pbandy1 said:
Without having Zeke it hurts Dez much more. The offense is so one dimensional now - try to figure out a running game with Morris and Smith, or throw to Dez.
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I think Smith was the bigger loss for the offense.  The blindside pressure completely sabotaged the game plan.

 
Agree the LT was the big loss.  They need to run Dez on more intermediate routes though.  Just from causally watching the games, he is always going deep.  Get him the ball earlier and let him do his thing.

 
Jman18980 said:
Agree the LT was the big loss.  They need to run Dez on more intermediate routes though.  Just from causally watching the games, he is always going deep.  Get him the ball earlier and let him do his thing.
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Teams cheat on the short/intermediate stuff with him.  They've figured him out.  Take away the short stuff, let him go deep with confidence that he doesn't have the speed to burn you and Dak isn't likely to throw the ball up in coverage like Romo did.

 
FreeBaGeL said:
Teams cheat on the short/intermediate stuff with him.  They've figured him out.  Take away the short stuff, let him go deep with confidence that he doesn't have the speed to burn you and Dak isn't likely to throw the ball up in coverage like Romo did.
Click to expand...
This!
From what i have seen Dak is not going to throw it up.  He is very risk adverse more worried about not throwing the int than making the big play.  

 
Dez is a borderline flex play.  More so without Zeke.  He’s just lost a step.  I had Burkhead in on KC bye week and changed to Dez when it was reported he was a full go.  Whoops.  I doubt he sees my lineup again.  Just not that good anymore.   

 
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