CLEVELAND- The Browns can still pull off some stunning offseason moves. Former Cowboys wide receiver and free agent Dez Bryant recently praised the Browns for great decisions in trades, free agent signing and the draft. Is Bryant merely praising the Browns or is he trying to get their attention?
Bryant may want to be part of Cleveland’s revamped offense that added Jarvis Landry, Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb. Would it hurt to add another playmaker? Going against Landry, Josh Gordon and Bryant doesn’t sound fair at all. The Browns may want to think about signing Bryant to a discounted 1 year, $6.5 million deal. The Browns still have the most cap space in the league and signing Bryant would serve as a statement to the entire NFL that the Browns intend to go from 0-16 to an obvious playoff threat in just one season. The Browns are already several years closer to being a postseason threat. If Cleveland gets one or two more key acquisitions before August, this team might just dethrone the Ravens and Steelers. This isn’t the time for Cleveland to be ultra picky if you can really call signing Bryant picky at all. If Bryant fully healthy or close to it, then Cleveland must sign him. It’s a really good idea to give Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield another big time receiver. Can Cleveland really have enough good receivers?
Some of the Cleveland faithful may cringe to see this as a possibility since they may view Bryant as just another receiver that only seeks a big contract. However, Bryant is a receiver that makes catches in traffic. If he brings the same grit and determination as he did throughout his time in Dallas, the Browns would be the undisputed winner in free agency if they aren’t already considered that. Bryant caught 69 receptions for 838 yards and six touchdowns. He also played all 16 games. He missed games the previous two seasons and could be on the verge of another 1,000 yards season. It seems silly to assume that Dez Bryant should retire at 29-years-old.