Is there that much difference between OBJ and Dez Bryant?
To me yes. I don't know why exactly but Dez lost his legs early. The Odell I last saw could still run and had explosive traits.Judging by other teams interest in them at this stage of their careers I'm guessing most NFL teams see it the same way I do.
Granted, they had different playing styles, and I would say Odell was more of an athlete, so not exactly apples to apples. Here's how PFF has evaluated the two over the years (start of their careers moving forward).
Dez: 73, 80.4, 76.5, 82.5, 90.6, 68.7, 80.4, 72.7, DNP, DNP, 59.5
Odell: 90.8, 88.1, 87, 69.2, 90, 68.7, 75.3, 67.8
Odell was a premium receiver 4 out of his first 5 years. But the past three years he has seen a major dip in his ratings. This year he hasn't played yet, so it's unlikely his score will shoot back up. Dez wasn't as dynamic in his prime, and his scores after his first few seasons were higher than I thought they would be.
I still think NFL teams are buying a reputation more than they are a difference maker. There's really no way to know how his knee is, if he has burst and agility, and how close he is to game shape. Add in going to a new scheme with a new QB and no chemistry, and it's more of a hope and a prayer than a sound decision to bring him in (at least for this year). Maybe he might have some value if he signed beyond this year if he were healthy and had an off season to learn a system, but at this point I think he won't be a big contributor. He added some TD as a red zone threat for the Rams last year, but I think having Kupp having an all-world season played a huge part in that.
As to multiple teams potentially having an interest, I think there are a number of teams that are finding they don't have the depth they hoped they would have at this point in the season. That's probably more of an indictment on injuries and teams not having great back up options than it is a ringing endorsement for Odell. He's a fresh body with experience and once was a Pro Bowler. That makes him an upgrade over a 6th round rookie that's been used mostly as a special teamer.
The guy that I am surprised is still out there at WR is Will Fuller. He has plenty of experience, has had some success, and AFAIK is healthy. Fuller averaged 80 yards and 0.75 TD per game for HOU in 2020. Those numbers were pretty close to what Odell put up for the Giants. On a PPG basis, that ranked as WR8 that year. He's had some injuries, but at this point he would cost pennies on the dollar and could at least be a deep threat or run slant routes.