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Dez Bryant is one of the Top 5 wide receivers in the NFL thanks to his 1,200+ yards, 12+ touchdowns and 88+ catches in each of the past three seasons. Dallas' passing game starts with Bryant and the rest seems to fall in place behind him, so Bryant is clearly the key to the offense for the Cowboys at least when it comes to moving the ball through the air. With so much riding on Bryant, what would happen if he fell to an injury? How would the offense adjust in Dallas? That is what we ateempt to discuss here in this hypothetical situation of Dez Bryant getting sidelined for an extende period of time.
BUY
Terrance Williams, WR – The Cowboys without Dez Bryant would have to turn to Terrance Williams as their top wide receiver, a role that Williams is clearly not ready for, and may never be. The good news for Williams' fantasy outlook is that he will see both a significant increase in targets and still see single coverage as defenses key on the run and the tight ends. Williams may actually be more productive in yardage and catches and certainly will get more chances to score if Bryant is out for an extended period of time.
Jason Witten, TE – Jason Witten is a veteran tight end that knows how to get open and make the most of every catch. He may not push for 1,000 yards and a Pro Bowl spot every year any longer, but Witten can be very productive when the passing game and Tony Romo needs him to be. With no Dez Bryant, Witten would become the second target in this offense and could easily see 10+ chances a game.
HOLD
Joseph Randle, RB – Dallas loves their offense, and the pass can set up the run and vice versa. Without Bryant, the ground game could suffer a little with defenses keying run first. The only reasons Joseph Randle does not get a downgrade are because of Dallas' top notch offensive line and more likely goal line chances for Randle.
Tony Romo, QB – Tony Romo is a borderline sell, but I have him listed in the hold category because of his tight ends. Without Dez Bryant, Romo loses over 1,000 yards receiving and double-digit touchdowns, which are both hard to replace. Romo can spread that production around to his tight ends and receivers (plus the running backs), but it will be tough for Romo to produce at quite the same level as he would have with Bryant healthy.
SELL
None.
ADD
Cole Beasley, WR – Dallas will need a second wide receiver to start if Bryant is hurt, so Cole Beasley is the next man up for the starting role. Beasley is more of a slot receiver, but when asked he can run short routes and get open over the middle. Expecting fantasy starter production from Beasley is asking way too much, but a flex option / WR4 type numbers would be within reach should Beasley be thrust into a starting role.
Gavin Escobar, TE – Dez Bryant has scored 41 touchdowns in the past three seasons, so Tony Romo wants to put the ball in the end zone. While many will target the wide receivers to make up the difference, both tight ends are likely to see the field more and run more routes, especially near the goal line.
Darren McFadden, RB – If Dez Bryant's touchdowns disappear, the Cowboys could take a little air out of their offense and run it more - or pass short to a back out of the backfield. If McFadden can stay healthy, his value could increase without Bryant.
Lance Dunbar, RB – Lance Dunbar is the top receiving optoin for the Cowboys out of the backfield, and we saw how that translated immediately to production in Week 1 after Dez Bryant was hurt. Dunbar had eight targets against the Giants, reeling in all of them for 70 yards, including two big catches on the winning drive in the final minute of the contest. Dunbar should see a lot more snaps and targets going forward with Dez sidelined 4-8 weeks.
Christine Michael, RB – This one is much more of a flier, but consder that Dallas added Michael after the Cowboys sent a conditional seventh round pick to Seattle for Michael. If Michael makes the active roster three times this seaosn, the conditionality to the pick is waived and Seattle gets the seventh round pick. Michael was inactive in Week 1, but could be activated now that Dallas has fewer skill position players. With uncertainty in the Dallas backfield and many pundits touting the athleticism of Michael, this could be a way for him to get on the field and show what he can do behind a top notch offensive line.
DROP
None. Dallas can score the ball even without Dez Bryant. Tony Romo may have to spread it around more, but the Cowboys are capable of putting up 30+ points a week thanks to Tony Romo and his other targets, not to mention one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.