Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant released, what now?

The Dallas Cowboys have released wide receiver Dez Bryant. So what will the team do now that their best wide receiver is a free agent? Let’s take a look.

Wow, well that was something. The Dallas Cowboys have released veteran wide receiver Dez Bryant today marking a turning point in this franchise. Now, this may come as a surprise to some fans however there are probably those that are relieved to see him go.

Bryant only recorded six touchdowns and 800 receiving yard on 132 targets that is a far cry from where he once was. He has vowed to see the Cowboys “twice a year” so it is possible he ends up with the Washington Redskins.

The Washington Redskins have the most salary cap space of any team in the NFC East and a glaring hole at receiver. This is one of the free agent fits that seem to make sense except for paying top dollar for a 30-year-old receiver.

I am around 98 percent sure he will end up in the red and gold because right now Dez is hurting and so is the Cowboys fan base. Whether this shakeup will wakeup Bryant into playing like his 2014 self we may never know however one thing is certain the Cowboys have more flexibility in terms of cap space heading into 2018.

I mean think about it, the Cowboys had the second highest paid wide receiving corps in the league and realistically it was for mediocre production. Bryant was a large reason for that as he was not able to gain separation against defenders and stretch the field. This affected every wide receiver on the roster and made it harder for the complimentary guys to make plays.

Now the team will focus on trying to find a player who can do that. The Dallas Cowboys were interested in Sammy Watkins prior to the beginning of free agency so that in essence was the first red flag for Bryant heading into the offseason. They also met with D.J. Chark this week, a meeting that would not necessarily take place if the Cowboys planned on not taking as many wide receivers as they can in this draft.

Now with Chark visiting the team has talked to every first or second round graded wide receiver in this draft class which leads me to believe they could go back to back at the position. As it stands the Cowboys were only able to bring in Allen Hurns (which was a huge get) but this team clearly needs help at the position. 

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This week I have begun to follow the belief that the Dallas Cowboys will take three wide receivers in the 2018 NFL draft and that was before the Bryant release. The Cowboys will likely focus on Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, Courtland Sutton, James Washington, and Christian Kirk around the 19th overall pick.

In the middle and later rounds players like Tre’Quan Smith, Trey Quinn, Antonio Callaway, and Daurice Fountain could be options as the team looks to replace Bryant’s production.

Next: Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft V4.1: Draft visits edition

Realistically for the Dallas Cowboys unless a trade is made or multiple prospects at the wide receiver position are selected it is going to be tough to replace Bryant in the eyes of the fans or opponents.