Wide receiver Dez Bryant, who starred for the Dallas Cowboys from 2010-2017 but missed the last two seasons while rehabbing a torn Achilles tendon, arrived in Baltimore Aug. 18 to work out for the Ravens, and Bryant’s personal coach says his pupil is in a good position to contribute in the NFL once again.
Bryant totaled 531 receptions, 7,459 yards and 73 touchdowns during his seven years with Dallas. His best seasons came from 2012-2014, when he posted 273 catches, 3,935 yards and 41 touchdowns while playing in every game. The former first-rounder helped the Cowboys reach the playoffs in 2014.
Bryant was released by Dallas in April 2018. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in November 2018, but he tore suffered the torn Achilles two days after signing. The Saints eventually finished 13-3 and made it to the NFC championship game, but they were hoping Bryant would add another dimension to a dynamic offense.
Bryant began working out with receivers coach David Robinson just before he was cut by the Cowboys and has been working with him ever since. Now 31 years old with a clean bill of health, Bryant is looking to get back into the league. Robinson is confident the 6-foot-2, 222-pound Bryant can help a team.
“He still has the great ball skills. He still has great body control with that ball up in the air,” Robinson said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 19. “I think since he’s been out of the league, the way his game has evolved, especially being an intermediate [receiver], he’s a lot more explosive out of his cuts, he’s running out of his breaks a lot faster.
“He’s doing a lot of extra things that he didn’t do a lot when he was playing. He’s doing a lot of therapy, rehab and stuff on his ankles — even on his days off he’s doing stuff to keep his body flexible, doing extra things away from the football field that’s making him look a lot more efficient and lighter and quicker on his feet for the videos that people have been seeing.”
Robinson explained that Bryant understands he doesn’t have the same speed he possessed during his prime in Dallas and has worked to improve as a route runner. Late in his career in Dallas, Bryant struggled to separate from defensive backs the way he did as a younger receiver, but Robinson noted that Bryant was also working to get on the same page with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after spending most of his career with Tony Romo.
Robinson said Bryant’s confidence is evident when he faces veteran defensive backs during workouts. Bryant still sees himself as “unguardable,” according to Robinson.
“When he was in New Orleans a few plays before he tore his Achilles, he took a 6- or 7-yard drag route like 60 yards, broke two tackles, made a big play. The coaching staff was excited,” said Robinson, who played receiver at Oklahoma from 2002-2006. “I just can’t wait to see him put it all together now after the injury, the rehab and stuff and just see how far he’s come since the injury.”
The Ravens’ receiving corps is led by second-year man Marquise Brown and veteran Willie Snead. Baltimore will count on Miles Boykin to take a step forward in his second year in the league, and it’ll hope to get contributions from rookies Devin Duvernay and James Proche.
Though Bryant wouldn’t project to lead the Ravens in receiving — Brown or tight end Mark Andrews will likely do that — Robinson said Bryant would be happy to contribute any way he can, even in a run-heavy offense.
“I just think now in his career he’s willing to be a No. 3 or 2 receiver or No. 4 receiver because he was used to being the No. 1 receiver for like nine years, getting the top corner, rolling coverage over there,” Robinson said. “So he’s never really been in a spot where the pressure and everything is taken off of him, so he’s excited about it.”
Robinson also works with Devin Duvernay and James Proche. To hear his thoughts on those rookie receivers, listen to the full interview here:
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