Dallas Cowboys: Should Dez really be returning punts?

It’s the offseason for the Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant is once again lobbying for punt return duties in the coming season. Here’s why that’s a bad idea.

Dez Bryant wants to return punts for the Dallas Cowboys in 2017. It’s a developing story that shouldn’t surprise anyone. It seems nearly every summer Dez is eagerly inserting himself in the practice rotation, champing at the bit to become a legitimate option once the regular season rolls around.

"“I’m always in Coach Biasaccia’s ear”, Dez said. “That’s why I’m back there practicing”"

The task of returning punts isn’t new to Dez. He was a somewhat regular presence in the return game early in his career, returning a total of 42 punts for a 9.1 average and 2 touchdowns. It’s hard to argue that Dez wouldn’t upgrade the punt return game for the Dallas Cowboys.

Last season the Cowboys primary return man, Luck Whitehead, only averaged 7.8 yards per return. The season before only 5.8. As ESPN’s Todd Archer reported, the Dallas Cowboys haven’t had a punt return touchdown since 2013. I’d be willing to bet the Dallas Cowboys could end that drought if they made No 88 their primary return man in 2017.

Dez Bryant has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the offense. He’s vital even when he’s not catching the ball.

But that doesn’t make it a good idea.

Dez Bryant is too important to the offense to risk him in special teams. Returning punts and kicks are perhaps the most dangerous job in the NFL these days. The chance of injury here is high, and for a somewhat injury-prone player like Dez, who never shies away from contact, the chance of injury is extra high.

Dez on Offense

The Dallas Cowboys employ a multi-dimensional pick-your-poison offense. It forces opponents to choose which player they are going to focus on and which they are going to gamble on. Dez is arguably the most important cog in this machine. No other receiver on the team is capable of doing what he can do.

The Cowboys could lose Terrance Williams and Brice Butler could adequately fill in. By the sound of things, they could lose Cole Beasley and Ryan Switzer would be able to fill in just fine. They could even lose Eziekel Elliott and a combination of Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris could get the job done. But no one can do what Dez does and what Dez does is command a double team.

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Dez Bryant forces double-coverage. A player as big, strong, and athletic as Dez is going to win one-on-one battles more often than not. He effectively removes a defender from the equation by being on the field. If you remove Dez from the lineup, opponents no longer need to respect the deep ball and can focus solely on stopping the run.

Dez Bryant has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the offense. He’s vital even when he’s not catching the ball. That’s why, even though we all know Dez would be great returning punts, he can’t be risked in arguably the most risky position.

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Dez would probably be great as a punt returner but he hasn’t done so since 2012. His aggressive never-quit attitude that we all know and love would put him at added risk. The Dallas Cowboys need to improve their return game in 2017 but that’s best achieved by inserting Ryan Switzer NOT Dez Bryant.

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