Where does Dez Bryant rank in top WRs?

[T-RO]

Top 10. Certainly not top 3. Let's keep it real bros:
1. He doesn't have top drawer speed
2. He's not as quick as some coming out of his breaks
3. He doesn't run precise routes

Where he is top 3:
1. Physical YAC
2. Competitiveness when ball in air
3. Crazy strong usually reliable hands

 

[TheRomoSexual]

I think he's pretty overrated. Disappears in games.

But, you are also the guy who claims Lee is making "Patrick Willis money."

 

[percyhoward]

#1 in passion for the game.

 

[TheRomoSexual]

Top 10. Certainly not top 3. Let's keep it real bros:
1. He doesn't have top drawer speed
2. He's not as quick as some coming out of his breaks
3. He doesn't run precise routes

Where he is top 3:
1. Physical YAC
2. Competitiveness when ball in air
3. Crazy strong usually reliable hands

Just FYI, just because a player isn't top 3 in all categories does not mean he's not a top 3 player.

 

[T-RO]

Just FYI, just because a player isn't top 3 in all categories does not mean he's not a top 3 player.

I never meant to suggest that.

Dez is really good, borderline all-pro player. But he needs to refine his craft to be climb into the top 3. He has neither the raw speed nor the jitterbug quickness to create a lot of separation. So he has to use his size/strength and hands to compensate. But Tony is going to have a tough time throwing the ball to a guy who can't emphatically separate...AND who is double teamed AND who isn't precise in his routes.

Can Dez be top 3? Absolutely.

 

[perrykemp]

#1 in passion for the game.

For some reason this one reminds me of how the media / announcers used to drone on how nobody "Loved the game" more than Favre. That went on for about 10 years or so.

Remember that?

What does #1 in passion mean? Why is he #1? Because he is the most demonstrative? Does that mean he is more passionate than a player who just works hard, cares about winning, but doesn't display it like Dez?

Just asking -- because I wonder about these odd things from time to time.

 

[percyhoward]

What does #1 in passion mean?

If you have to ask, you'll never know.

 

[perrykemp]

Quick look at where Dez ranks in the key receiving categories ESPN tracks in their receiving stats:

Note: I am subtracting Julio Jones (injured) and Justin Blackmon (out of the season due to substance issues)

8th : Yards Receiving
14th : Receptions
2nd : Touchdowns
41st : 20+ Yard Receptions
5th : YAC
2nd : First Downs

These are nice stats -- especially the TDs and 1st downs, however, they certainly don't scream #2 WR in the NFL either -- at least on first glance. How to tell without digging into other WRs stats.

The one player that somewhat surprisingly stands out is Jordy Nelson who has more yards than Dez, as many TDs (per game), twice as many explosive plays (20+ yard receptions) -- all on 24 less targets (Dez has 77 targets, Nelson has 53)!

Someone in different thread put together an arguement that Nelson was a better WR than Dez -- I don't buy that because I don't think Nelson sees the double teams Dez does, however, there certainly is an argument to be made the Nelson is having a better season the Dez up to this point.

 

[perrykemp]

If you have to ask, you'll never know.

Got it. Same thing my Packer family members used to say to me when I asked them "What the heck does it mean when they say nobody loves the game like Brett Favre?". It used to infuriate me.

 

[dallasdave]

DEZ would be #1 if he was thrown the ball enough!!!!

 

[pugilist]

1 Calvin Johnson
2 Dez Bryant
3 Andre Johnson
4 Larry Fitzgerald
5 Brandon Marshall

 

[CowboyStar88]

What's scary is he is the second best WR in football and he can still improve. That's what I see. But I gotta throw out some love for.

AJ,JJ, Nelson and DT and an underrated Bowe. Love watching those guys play football as well.

 

[NeonDeion21]

Firmly entrenched as the second best wide receiver in the league.

 

[T-RO]

The one thing it seems we all agree to: he's among the best and we are ecstatic he wears the star. Go Cowboys.

 

[dstovall5]

#1 in passion for the game.

He's very passionate for the game without question, but to say he's #1 is obviously showing some bias.

I mean do you really think guys like C.J. / A.J. / J.J. aren't as passionate about the game? It's obvious they're very passionate about the game of football, because if they weren't then they wouldn't be as good as they are. I honestly don't understand the thought process of it. Just because a guy isn't as loud, or animated doesn't mean he's not as passionate, all it means is that he carries himself in a different manner.

 

[Sarge]

I'd probably slot him in at fourth after Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson and AJ Green. I think Dez Bryant is a bonafide top 5 and competes with Julio Jones (when he's healthy) for who falls into #4 and who falls into #5.

Andre Johnson is slowing down - he is no longer top 5 - frankly - not even close.

 

[percyhoward]

He's very passionate for the game without question, but to say he's #1 is obviously showing some bias. I mean do you really think guys like C.J. / A.J. / J.J. aren't as passionate about the game?

Maybe there's a tie for #1.

Got it. Same thing my Packer family members used to say to me when I asked them "What the heck does it mean when they say nobody loves the game like Brett Favre?". It used to infuriate me.

Don't let it. Some things can't be quantified, and it's not unusual for these very things to be the reason we love football.

 

[percyhoward]

If you take the 30 WR with the most targets so far this season, and rank their targets by pass rating, these are the top 10 ratings:

DThomas DEN 123.6
Bryant DAL 116.2
Welker DEN 114.3
Jackson PHI 112.0
Marshall CHI 108.5
Brown PIT 108.3
Boldin SF 106.0
Johnson DET 106.0
Decker DEN 105.0
Gordon CLE 101.6

Doesn't mean Dez is the 2nd-best in the NFL, just means that -- among the 30 most-targeted players -- his targets have helped his team the 2nd most.

Because the Broncos' three most-targeted WR are all in the top 10, the effect of just one of those player's targets isn't that great. Manning has a 119.4 rating for the season. If you subtract Thomas' targets, Manning's rating only goes down to 118.3.

Romo has a 101.7 for the season. If you subtract Bryant's targets, Romo's rating goes down to 96.7

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Andre Johnson is slowing down - he is no longer top 5 - frankly - not even close.

Yeah.... 200 yards, 3 TDs at the half. Like I said it was QB play mate...

 

[perrykemp]

My thinking on this topic is that a whole lot of folks here on CZ (including me) are ranking Dez as the #2 WR in the NFL without him really earning yet. He has caught a lot of TDs, however, other than that his stats have been very good, but not demonstratively better than the other guys -- YET.