Jacksonville Jaguars: Signing Dez Bryant would make Blake Bortles better
By Larry Brake
The Jacksonville Jaguars would be one step closer to winning the Super Bowl by signing Dez Bryant.
After falling short in the AFC Championship Game, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a couple of players away from the Super Bowl. Since Jacksonville is a contender, free agents are more likely to wear the black and teal. Signing Dez Bryant gets the Jaguars closer to the Lombardi Trophy and makes Blake Bortles better.
First of all, Bryant is an elite receiver. He is a big target by standing six feet two inches tall weighing 225 pounds. Bryant is the fifth on the Dallas Cowboys all-time receiving yards list and ranks third in receptions. He would give Bortles a big time target.
Currently, there are nine wide receivers on the Jaguars roster. Five of them have played three years or less in the NFL. Most of all, they do not have the statistical numbers in comparison to Bryant’s.
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Last year, Bryant caught 69 passes for 838 yards with six touchdowns. He averaged 12.1 yards per reception which moves the chains. Bryant played in all 16 regular season games. Staying healthy all season long is a huge plus. Marqise Lee led the Jaguars in receptions with 56. Keelan Cole led the team with 748 receiving yards. Bryant would have been the team leader last year in both categories.
Bryant will turn 30 years old during the season. He should have two more good seasons left at a relatively high level. The Jaguars should sign him to a three year deal worth around $24 million.
Danny Kelly of The Ringer noted other receivers over 30 years old and had this comment:
"Every case is different, but many of the top-tier receivers from this list that have changed teams after turning 30 years old have gone on to produce at a high level in new schemes and in new uniforms. For a few, success was always a given — especially for all-time talents like Moss, Rice, and Owens, who would have thrived anywhere."
Bryant would thrive in Jacksonville. Would he take a pay cut to help the Jaguars win the Lombardi Trophy? Spotrac.com calculates his market value at $9.4 million per year. His value would be worth the contract. The strong leadership in the locker room will curb Bryant’s emotional outbursts.
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Reportedly, it’s unlikely that Jacksonville pursues Bryant, but it seems like he is the missing piece to the passing offense. He would be the true number one receiver option that Bortles has been missing since 2014. Hopefully, Jacksonville will become more likely to sign Bryant. Let’s wait and see.