Matthew Emmons-USATODAY Sports
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the more polarizing teams in the NFL and subsequently so are their players in Fantasy Football drafts. Cowboys QB Tony Romo, who is more infamous than Ray Finkle in blowing NFL playoff games, is either high on your draft list or not on the list at all.
In doing my research as I prepare for the 2013 Fantasy Football season, I am beginning to see another polarizing Cowboy. Dez Bryant will enter his fourth season as an NFL WR in 2013. He has yet to put together a complete and consistent season in his previous three years, and that very fact makes him arguably the most intriguing pick in this year’s draft.
Value is the buzzword you will hear the closer you get to your fantasy drafts. For the most part, we’re all looking for great deals and the ability to get something cheaper than it should be with the potential for upside. So we are looking for value on draft day which is in essence saying we don’t want to be known for “Bonehead Pick of the Year Award.”
So what does that mean for Bryant? Here’s how I see it; this guy has monster (in all caps) upside this year. At the end of the year, I would not be surprised if he is the number one scoring fantasy WR in 2013. Bold statement you say? Well, here’s my proof. 46 receptions, just under 900 yards receiving and 11 TDs all in the last seven regular season games last season. Do the math, folks. You extend those numbers out over an entire season and you have over 100 receptions, over 2,000 yards receiving and over 20 TDs. That is stupid good.
However, next to the possible numbers is a bright red emboldened asterisk. The guy hasn’t put together a complete 16 game fantasy season yet. So, you weigh the upside and remain realistic due to the bust potential, and where do you rank the former Oklahoma State WR?
Polarizing, huh?
Basically, here’s how you play the Dez pick in your drafts. If you have a manager that shows up wearing his “I Love Romo” t-shirt or number 88 jersey, bag the Bryant “experiment”, value is impossible. However, if your draft mates are a collection of anti Jerry Jones guys or somewhere in the middle of the two examples keep an eye on Bryant in the draft. If he falls to the late second or more so the third round of your draft, and you’re a risk taker – grab him.
Consider Bryant a substantial risk (the level of which depending on where you draft him) with exponential reward pick in 2013.
Related:
Love or Hate WR Dez Bryant, He is Worth a Top Fantasy Pick
Fantasy Football 2013: Dez Bryant Won’t be a Top 5 WR
Dez Bryant is A Fantasy Football Monster — Go Get Him
Jim Heath is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
