Dallas Cowboys: Is Dez Bryant on the decline?

In 2014, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant led all receivers in the NFL in touchdown receptions, however, the critics no longer believe Dez is an elite receiver.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, Dez Bryant, has been an electrifying, dominant, aggressive, and passionate wide receiver since joining the Cowboys in 2010.

From the start, owner and general manager Jerry Jones embraced the ultra-talented wideout, and made amends with Cowboys Nation for not drafting future Hall of Famer Randy Moss a decade earlier.

Dez lit up the NFL his rookie season as he returned a punt for a touchdown and showed flashes of greatness with his spectacular catches and raw talent. The Cowboys hadn’t drafted a promising receiver like Dez since 1988, when they drafted Hall of Famer Michael Irvin out Miami.

Since Dez’s rookie season, the dynamic playmaker has scored 68 touchdowns in 99 career games, recorded 471 receptions, averaged 14.3 yards a reception, became a three time Pro Bowler, and made All-Pro once.

Dez has more touchdowns than the original playmaker himself (Irvin) had in his entire career (65). In Dez’ first five seasons, he had 50 touchdowns and over 5,000 receiving yards in 70 games. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and Moss had more touchdowns in their first five seasons.

To be included with two of the greatest receivers in NFL history, speaks volumes, to say the least. As much as Dez has accomplished in his eight year NFL career, the critics say Dez is on the decline.

Depending on which pundit or former NFL player you listen to, Dez is not even a top-10 receiver, let alone top-5 receiver.

Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe of the Fox sports show “Undisputed” said Dez isn’t elite and isn’t good route runner.

Sharpe (also a Cowboys hater) says Dez can only run two routes and that the best corners in the NFL shuts him down on a regular basis. Sharpe explained in great detail how Dez struggles to get separation from these elite defensive backs, how Dez lacks speed, and how Dez is washed up.

Sharpe believes Bryant’s best years are behind him, that he’s no longer that “dog” out there hunting for the bone.

According to Sharpe, Dez’s best year (88 receptions, 16 TDs, 1,320 receiving yards) was his last as an elite receiver. Sharpe pointed out that since Dez signed his massive contract in 2015, that the playmaker is 60th in receptions, 41st in receiving yards per game, and tied for 29th among receivers in touchdowns.

Sharpe continued to say that Dez has missed 10 of the last 33 games with injuries. After listening to Sharpe’s diatribe, I didn’t know if he hated Dez and the Cowboys that much or was Dez a first round bust who never lived up to the hype!

I’m not saying Dez is the best wideout in the league, but man….he ain’t that bad!

I’ll be the first to admit that Dez has not been the same All Pro receiver we witnessed in 2014, but the man is far from washed up.

And since Dez can’t argue with Sharpe face-to-face, I’ll do my part to partially explain Dez’s struggles.

One of the main reasons why Dez isn’t seen as an elite receiver anymore is because he’s been injured the last two seasons, missing a total of 10 games. Now, that’s not an excuse, but it explains why Dez hasn’t put up Pro Bowl numbers.

Another reason for Dez’s lack of production is getting used to playing with quarterback Dak Prescott. Combine Dez’s injuries and playing with a new quarterback to the equation, and you come away with a better understanding of Dez’s situation.

Including last season’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, Dez and Dak have played together in only 16 total games, a full season. In 13 games last season, Dez caught 50 passes for eight touchdowns, 796 yards, and averaged 15.9 yards a reception.

Those are decent numbers.

Who knows what Dez numbers would’ve been if not for him missing three games last season. If Dez had reached double digits in touchdown receptions, it would’ve been the fourth time he’s accomplished that feat.

Does that sound like a declining player to you?

I don’t think Dez is declining. But Dez does need to play better, definitely better than what he did against the Denver Broncos in Sunday afternoon massacre.

Dez allowed an easy reception to bounce off his fingertips and into the hands of Broncos corner Chris Harris. He failed to pull down a reception in the corner of the endzone (one of his strengths ), and he may have run some bad routes too — potentially that one resulting in Broncos corner taking an interception 103 yards for a touchdown.

That appears to be more of a bad game than being washed up Mr. Sharpe. If not for those mishaps, Dez could’ve easily walked away with three touchdowns, a 100 yard receiving game, and some respect from Mr. Sharpe.

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I do agree with Sharpe that Dez needs to run better routes, but as an eight year veteran, Dez should’ve mastered the route tree a long time ago.

I think that’s why Dak has misfired on several throws to Dez in Dallas’ first two games because of Dez’s unpredictable routes.

Sharpe and former Minnesota Vikings great Cris Carter says Dez struggles against elite corners, another reason for his decline.

When Dez played against New York Giants’ corner Janoris Jenkins in Dallas’ season opener, the “Jackrabbit” held onto Dez the entire game! It’s hard to get separation whenever a defensive back is holding onto you as if he’s escorting you to the prom.

To be clear, Dez has had his struggles with route running and battling with elite corners, but when healthy, Dez produces at a high level.

Next: Dallas Cowboys: Harsh reality is Dak Prescott must improve

So before Sharpe, Carter, and the rest of the critics label Dez a declining player and no longer one of the elites at his position, let’s see how Dez responds the remainder of the season.

It’s still early, and Dez has 14 more games to throw up the “X” and prove the critics wrong!

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