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3 potential free agent wide receiver targets for the Steelers

By Mike Vannucci

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures toward the fans before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys gestures toward the fans before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers after a catch in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers after a catch in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Dez Bryant

The player with the highest profile on this list, and by far the most production. Bryant was signed by the Saints around this time last season, and in his first practice with the team, he, unfortunately, tore his Achilles tendon. It has been over a year since his surgery, and he has been training in preparation for a return. Bryant knows he isn’t the same player he was back in 2014 when he was a first-team all-pro and led the NFL with sixteen receiving touchdowns (see the tweet below)

There was speculation late in his Cowboys career that he was a distraction in the locker room. However, he seemed to be appreciated and loved by his Saints teammates, despite only spending a few days with the team.

It seems Bryant has matured and understands his potential role in a new offense. He is a good fit for the Steelers for multiple reasons. He is a big physical receiver who is more than capable of catching contested throws. It is something he has excelled at throughout his career. Rudolph often targets receivers regardless of the separation that the receiver has created.

Bryant also won’t be required to be the number one receiver, and quite frankly, probably not the number two either. With the emergence of Diontae Johnson, whenever JuJu and Johnson can return, it will allow Bryant to take on a lesser role than he is used to.

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He brings experience and playmaking ability similar to that of Crabtree. He may not be able to stretch the field vertically to the same capacity, which he was able to in the past, but he is still a big, physical receiver capable of coming down with contested targets.

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