Dallas Cowboys: Making a play for Allen Robinson in 2018 is a must
By Randy Gurzi
The Dallas Cowboys have to realize Dak Prescott and Dez Bryant are not on the same page, and they should target Allen Robinson as a free agency replacement
We’ve heard it for almost two years now that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Dez Bryant are working to get on the same page. They showed flashes in their loss to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs following the 2016 season, but a frustrating 2017 proved that was just a tease.
With Bryant set to count $16.5 million against the cap in 2018, the Cowboys have to decide if they want to keep fooling themselves into believing that the two can suddenly click. Or, they could cut Bryant and save either $8 million as a pre-June 1 cut, or $12.5 million as a post-June 1 cut, according to Over the Cap.com.
While there’s dead money associated with cutting Bryant, there’s no denying that he and Prescott are showing no signs of turning things around together. That means the team should make the move, and use the savings to go after a new No. 1 like Allen Robinson, who is set to hit free agency after four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Although Robinson is coming off a season spent on IR, he’s still going to be just 25 years old going into the season whereas Bryant will be 30. He’s also not one to make highlight reels for blowing up on the sidelines like Bryant has had a tendency to do.
In his first three seasons before tearing his ACL on his only catch last year, Robinson had 201 receptions for 2,431 yards and 22 touchdowns. His best season was in 2015 when he had 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He managed those numbers working with Blake Bortles at quarterback and no running game. Putting a deep threat and legit No. 1 target like Robinson on Dallas should yield similar results. Prescott is better than the 2015 version of Bortles, and running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best runners in the game which takes a ton of pressure off Robinson — while also setting up sone great play action potential.
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While there will be plenty loyal to Bryant, the fact is Robinson is a younger option that should cost similar — if not less — to employ. His availability in free agency is exactly what Dallas needs and they have to make him priority No. 1 this offseason.