Sunday Debate: Dez Bryant Fantasy Bounceback Player of 2016
In this week’s Sunday Debate, Mark Morales-Smith and Brendan Pignataro are at it again. This time they’ll be debating who the Fantasy Bounceback Player of the Year will be. In this article Mark makes his case for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant.
Hey there ladies and fellows, it’s nice to be back coming off yet another big win over ol’ Brendan. This week we debate who the top Fantasy bounceback player will be this year. I have chosen Dez Bryant and Brendan has opted cor Mike Evans. Just to be clear this is for players coming off disappointing seasons for one reason or the other. Guys like Jordy Nelson and Kelvin Benjamin, who missed the entire 2015 season, were not eligible.
Related Story: Sunday Debate: Mike Evans Fantasy Bounceback Candidate
I fully expect Evans to have a big season, he’s an athletic freak with massive upside. With that said, he’s not on Bryant’s level yet and won’t be after 2016 either. The reason for Dez’s struggles are so obvious and evident it’s laughable. He broke his foot Week 1 and was sidelined until November. Upon returning Tony Romo had broken his collarbone and was well on his way to a second fracture. Romo lasted about a game and a half and wasn’t overly impressive.
The slew of incompetent mouth breathers the Cowboys paraded out on the field to throw the ball to Bryant was an embarrassment. Guys like Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel would take the field and bring shame to the star on their helmet. However, that won’t be case this season. Granted this was not a banner week for Bryant as he suffered a concussion in practice Monday and Romo once again crumbled into a heap after taking one hit. Still, the big picture looks good for the star wideout.
While the Bryant injury is not expected to become anything significant, Romo is now expected to be out 6-10 weeks with a broken bone his back after being injured early in the team’s 27-17 preseason loss to Seattle. There is one big difference this season. The Cowboys now have a legitimate backup who’s suddenly in the limelight.
Rookie quarterback Dak Prescott (who David Moore of the Dallas Morning News is reporting will now be the Week 1 starter, courtesy of CBS Sports) has lit the football world on fire this preseason. I understand he’s just a rookie but he’s proven enough this preseason to convince me he’s infinitely better than the woefully-bad Weeden. He’s the insurance policy that will prevent Bryant’s production from plummeting.
Look for Bryant to get back on track as one of the league’s elite wide receivers. When healthy, he can catch 90-plus passes for over 1,300 yards or lead the league with 16 touchdown receptions.
Prior to last season he was considered a clear-cut top five wideout in the league if not better. That’s what he’ll be this season. He’ll remind people that he’s a dynamic wideout and perhaps the greatest red zone presence in the league at his position. Don’t overlook Dez this season, especially my Fantasy Football players, or you will live to regret it.
Also, be sure to check out Brendan’s article on why Mike Evans will be the Fantasy Bounceback Player of the Year.