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And rightfully so.
Bryant's stats speak for themselves, as he has joined an elite group of top wideouts in the game. His combination of speed, size and strength is rare, and he has become one of the toughest receivers for opposing defenses to defend.
Additionally, with the offseason loss of running back DeMarco Murray, the Cowboys couldn't stand to lose their most explosive offensive playmaker. Bryant's importance to the Cowboys' success is heightened with Murray, who led the league in rushing last year, now wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. Regardless of how great Dallas' offensive line is, the Cowboys' running game will likely take a step back this season, meaning that Bryant will be expected to pick up the slack on offense and dominate every Sunday.
Bryant is also a fountain of youth on the aging Cowboys offense. While Bryant is just 26 years old, quarterback Tony Romo and tight end Jason Witten are 35 and 32, respectively. Bryant has been historically good over his first five seasons in the league and should have several great seasons left in the tank.
Here's a look at how Bryant stacks up with Cowboys Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin. Through their first five seasons, Bryant has 132 more catches, 1,060 more yards and 29 more touchdowns, according to Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Bryant has a chance to go down as the greatest receiver in Cowboys history. Here's a look at his career stats, per TSN's StatsCentre. The graphic illustrates Bryant's grandeur, as he ranks in the top 10 in every major category despite having only played five seasons.
If the Cowboys were to lose Bryant, their offense would immediately drop from one of the league's best to mediocre. Here's how Bryant stacks up against his fellow teammates.
It's clear that Bryant is one of the most talented wide receivers in the game and the most decorated on the Cowboys. He and Tony Romo have become one of the league's elite quarterback-wide receiver duos and should continue to experience success moving forward.
While the New York Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. took the league by storm last season, Bryant remains the division's best receiver. Although Beckham's season was defined by his spectacular one-handed touchdown catch and Bryant's will be remembered for his highly debated drop against the Green Bay Packers in the postseason, Bryant is the NFC East's most proven superstar.
To see how Bryant fared against his divisional rivals, here's a breakdown of the NFC East's receiving leaders in 2014. All of these players will be back next year except for Jeremy Maclin, who has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bryant led the division in receiving last season, although Maclin was breathing down his neck, finishing just two yards behind him. Beckham's stats were incredible, but to put them in perspective, the Giants finished 29th in the league in defense, and most of his numbers were boosted by New York having to play from behind and to pass in volume.
Bryant is the only receiver in the NFC East with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and is also the only one with three consecutive seasons with double-digit touchdowns. If healthy in 2015, he should run both streaks to four to continue his incredible stretch.
Had he changed teams, Bryant would have instantly changed the division's outlook. Locked in the NFC East for the foreseeable future, however, Bryant will keep the Cowboys relevant and even make them favorites to be the first repeat division winners since the Eagles in 2003-04.
Read more Dallas Cowboys news on BleacherReport.com
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