Week 10 at Atlanta Falcons
Dez Bryant was targeted 12 times last week but his production didn't match those opportunities, although he still did have 6 receptions for 73 yards. Bryant has not been good in the red zone with only 4 total touchdowns so even though he still the Cowboys' No. 1 receiver and still a top tier receiver in the league, his fantasy numbers have been disappointing at times. Bryant has also not practiced this week with an ankle injury.
Bryant will face the Falcons, who are ranked 13th in aFPA to wide receivers. With Ezekiel Elliott out, the Cowboys will spread his touches around to other players. Start Bryant in all formats as a solid WR1 for Week 10.
Week 9 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Dez Bryant caught 4 passes for 39 yards but the weather last week was horrible for the passing game so take that into consideration. Bryant has been steady most of the season and we still expect him to have big games.
He has a great matchup in Week 9 against the Chiefs, who are ranked 30th in aFPA to wide receivers. This can definitely be one of those big games for Bryant so start him as a top-five fantasy wide receiver on Sunday.
Week 8 at Washington
Dez Bryant had double-digit targets last week and reached the end zone for the fourth time in his last five games. He averages just under 10 targets per game, but it hasn't been consistent.
His next opponent is Washington, who is ranked second in aFPA to wide receivers. Bryant has not scored a touchdown against Washington since 2014 and he has had good and bad performances against them over the years.
Even with the tough matchup, the Cowboys offense has been very good lately and that should give Bryant a boost. Start him in all leagues and formats as a strong WR1 for Week 8.
Week 7 at San Francisco 49ers
Dez Bryant has had mixed results in 2017. He doesn't have a 100-yard receiving game this season, but does have 3 touchdowns in his first five games. He is still averaging 9 targets a game and is still the No. 1 target for QB Dak Prescott.
Bryant has not been rated a No. 1 fantasy receiver every week but he has a good matchup against the Niners who are 21st in aFPA to wide receivers. So for Week 7, he rates as a high-end WR1 and should be started in all leagues and formats.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay Packers
Dez Bryant had double-digit targets for the second time this season and it paid off for his owners with 98 receiving yards. He did not find the end zone, but you have to be encouraged by the targets. Eventually, the touchdowns will come. More importantly is the consistent play of his QB Dak Prescott. It bodes well for Bryant owners that Prescott is not having a sophomore slump.
The Packers are only ranked 21st in aFPA to wide receivers, so its a good matchup for Bryant at home. Start him in all leagues and formats as a solid WR1 for Week 5.
Week 4 at Los Angeles Rams
It was a very strange game for Dez Bryant last week. He did score a touchdown, but was only targeted twice during the game, which produced two catches. The Cowboys went back to the running game on the road and Bryant wasn't a factor, which we will call an anomaly.
He will face the Rams in Week 4, who are ranked 24th in aFPA to wide receivers. With a favorable matchup and a game back in Dallas, Bryant should be more involved in the offense. Start him as a low-end WR1 on Sunday against L.A.
Week 3 at Arizona Cardinals
Dez Bryant was targeted 16 times last week which usually is a reason to celebrate if you are his fantasy owner. But those targets were more of result of the fact Dallas was throwing the ball all over the field trying to erase a a big deficit. His numbers have been average through two games with only 9 catches for 102 yards.
Bryant won't see as many targets this week, but he could have some better numbers against an Arizona defense ranked 30th in aFPA to wide receivers. He still remains the Cowboys' No. 1 wide receiver in the offense, but not the No. 1 pass-catcher, as Jason Witten has had better results. Bryant is definitely a starter for Week 3 but he only rates a high-end WR2.
Week 2 at Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant and QB Dak Prescott were not on the same page last Sunday night. Although Bryant was targeted a team-high nine times but it only produced two catches for 43 yards and zero touchdowns. As projected, Bryant struggled against the Giants defense again so this didn't come as a surprise.
It won't get any easier this week as the Broncos have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. The targets give you optimism, but the matchup does not. Denver will key on Bryant which should limit his production.
Bryant will be a WR1 most weeks and occasionally a WR2. However, this week he falls all the way to a high-end WR3 or flex. The first two weeks on paper are challenging to the Cowboys passing game and that was evident in Week 1.
Week 1 vs. New York Giants
There is little doubt Dez Bryant is Dak Prescott's favorite target. With Ezekiel Elliott playing Week 1, it gives the Giants something else to worry about besides Bryant. So, that's a positive.
However, Prescott targeted Bryant 14 times in their two meetings last season and ended up with only 2 catches for 18 yards. The Giants defense smothered Bryant and were ranked fifth in aFPA to wide receivers in 2016, meaning the pass defense was good every week. They could be even better this season.
This doesn't mean Bryant doesn't have value. He is still a WR1, although not in the top tier for Week 1. He is a solid play against New York in prime time on Sunday night.
Fantasy Upside
Dez Bryant has been a consistent WR1 for the past several seasons. He plays in a great offense with a solid quarterback and very good offensive line. Bryant averaged 4.2 catches for 66 yards and 0.71 TD last season with a rookie quarterback behind center. Bryant also had a career-high 15.9 yards per catch in 2016. When he has been healthy, he has put up monster numbers, eclipsing the 1,200 yard receiving mark plus a minimum of 88 receptions from 2012-14. He also had double-digit touchdown receptions during that stretch.
Fantasy Downside
Bryant has missed 10 games over the past two seasons so there might be some durability questions. He also plays in a run-oriented offense although with Ezekiel Elliot out for six games, that could actually help Bryant's numbers this year. There could also be some drop off in the passing game if QB Dak Prescott regresses his second season.
2017 Bottom Line
Bryant is a solid Tier 2 fantasy wide receiver. He is a major offensive weapon for the Cowboys and their No. 1 big-play player. His ADP is 19 and ranks No. 7 in standard leagues and a little lower in PPR leagues. Bryant is a late 2nd round pick, but a safe one. You should get value from him in the second round, especially if he is your top receiver.
