Week 8 vs Philadelphia
Dez Bryant is expected to be back in the lineup after missing four weeks with a knee injury. Before he was hurt, he had one 100+ receiving yard and two games with little impact. Dez will be eased back into the offense this week, so keep expectations low.
Bryant has had good success against the Eagles over the past two seasons. He's averaged five catches per game for 97 yards and has scored four touchdowns in three games. Philly has been excellent against wide receivers (ranked third in aFPA), so that's something to be careful of.
Bryant should be in your lineup for this high-profile game, but he only ranks a low-end WR2 for Week 8.
Week 3 vs. Chicago
There was no fantasy panic after a lackluster Week 1 for Dez Bryant, as proven with his Week 2 performance. The targets climbed from 5 to 12, and that produced seven catches for 102 yards. Although the Cowboys have yet to throw a passing touchdown, that will eventually happen as Dallas feels more comfortable with rookie QB Dak Prescott.
Meanwhile, Bryant will still be a target this week against Chicago, who has been average against wide receivers the first two games. Bryant should be in your starting lineup, but expect him to be somewhere between Weeks 1 and 2. He rates a high-end WR2 for Week 3.
Week 2 at Washington
It wasn't a good start for Dez Bryant last week, who had one catch for 8 yards on Sunday. He was only targeted five times by rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and did not look happy about. Jason Witten and Cole Beasley were targeted a combined 26 times.
Yes, Bryant will miss Tony Romo, but don't think it's going to be like this every week. Prescott will eventually find a connection with Bryant, but when will it be?
Could be this week if the Redskins decide to leave Josh Norman on one side of the field like they did against Pittsburgh. We do think Washington will adjust, so be conservative with the thought that Bryant will be allowed to roam the field and do what he wants.
Until we see Prescott use Bryant more, we move the star receiver to a solid WR2 for Week 2, and although most people drafted him as a WR1, we will see improvement as the season progresses.
Week 1 vs. New York Giants
It was a frustrating 2015 for Dez Bryant who was limited to 9 games and career-lows in every prominent category. Even more frustrating for fantasy team owners who might have taken him early in their drafts. There as a slight scare in the preseason as Bryant suffered a concussion, but he is not on the injury list for Week 1 and is ready to go.
He won't have his long-time quarterback Tony Romo throwing to him as Romo is out indefinitely with the back injury. That means rookie Dak Prescott will be the starter and that should cause some concern for Bryant owners. However, Bryant has been successful with Romo's backups in the past because of how talented he is.
For Week 1, Bryant facing a familiar foe - the New York Giants. Dez has had more success than failures against the G-Men and last year New York's pass defense not very good, ranked 24th in aFPA to wide receivers.
But with the rookie quarterback, we are being cautious heading into the season. Bryant ranks a high-end WR2 for Week 1. If Prescott is okay, then we will see consistent top-10 rankings for Bryant, but let's wait and see what happens Sunday.
Fantasy Upside
Dez Bryant came into training camp as a top 10 receiver with ceiling that was even higher. He is back healthy from an injury that caused him to miss seven games and even the games he did play, he wasn't 100%. The previous three seasons were outstanding with at least 1,200 receiving yards, 88 receptions and double-digit touchdowns. Despite starting his seventh NFL season, he is only 27 years old and should not slow down one bit.
Fantasy Downside
With Tony Romo now out for at least half the season, Dez Bryant's stock takes a dip. Numbers support that notion as Bryant has half as many catches, yardage and touchdowns when Romo is not under center.
2016 Bottom Line
Bryant came into 2016 as a late first round or early second round pick. Although he is not considered in the tier with Antonio Bryant and Odell Beckham, he was definitely in the next one, but that has all changed. He is just not going to be as effective with Romo out. So, when do you take him now? He is probably a WR2 and 3rd or 4th round pick at this point.
Week 16 at Buffalo
It's amazing that Dez Bryant has averaged just over three catches per game since he came back from injury back on November 1st. Well, maybe not so amazing because the quarterback has not been Tony Romo for most of that time. No doubt Bryant misses the Cowboys starter as he has been pretty much ineffective this season.
Bryant will face a Buffalo defense that is 21st in aFPA to wide receivers, but he will have Kellen Moore throwing to him which really shouldn't help him too much. Start Bryant as a WR3 or flex for Week 16 in all formats.
Week 15 vs New York Jets
Even though Dez Bryant was targeted seven times last week against Green Bay, he had only one catch for 9 yards. It was his worst game of the season and puts a lot of doubt on his effectiveness the rest of the season without Tony Romo. This week, he will have to face Darrelle Revis and that hasn't worked out too well for good receivers. Bryant should still be in your lineup for Week 15, but only a WR3 or flex.
Week 13 vs Washington
Dez Bryant's value took a major hit with the injury of Tony Romo the first time so we expect it to happen again. He had only two catches last week and has averaged less than four a game since his return from injury.
Bryant has a great matchup against the Redskins who are 26th in aFPA to wide receivers, but that won't be enough to give him a high ranking. He still should be in your lineup on a weekly basis, but he only ranks a low-end WR2 for Week 13.
Week 12 vs Carolina
We are sure Dez Bryant welcomed back the return of QB Tony Romo, which is going to elevate Bryant's fantasy status on a weekly basis. However, his performance last week wasn't great with only four catches for 45 yards. He was targeted nine times and did get into the end zone for a touchdown, which obviously are positives for Bryant's owners. He is listed as probable (foot/knee) for Thanksgiving, but will play.
The matchup is a tough one for Week 12, as Bryant will face the Carolina defense that is ranked 5th in aFPA to wide receivers. CB Josh Norman, one of the league's best, will be locked down on Bryant throughout the game. With Romo back, Bryant still ranks high despite Norman and the Panthers defense. Start him as a low-end WR1 for Week 12.
Week 11 at Miami
Who will be the happiest player wearing a star on his helmet on Sunday? That would probably be Dez Bryant. QB Tony Romo is set to return off of IR and Dez should be active in all leagues.
