Four available free agents that the Arizona Cardinals should target
By Thomas Clark
Wide Receiver Dez Bryant
Yes, Dez Bryant comes with baggage and a bad attitude. Yes, he has lost a step or two, and with it his ability to consistently separate. But Bryant can still come in and make this team better.
After losing both Jaron and John Brown in free agency, the Cardinals elected to fill the receiving void with former Cowboy Brice Butler and hometown kid Christian Kirk. But has Arizona done enough?
In five professional seasons, Butler has never amassed more than 400 yards in a single campaign. Butler does come with intriguing ability, but can he be counted on to be one of the Cardinals top three targets? I wouldn’t bet on it.
In Kirk, the Cardinals found a bonafide star out of the slot. Kirk should come in from day one and give Bradford (or Rosen) a talented and consistent option on short and intermediate routes. But Kirk likely isn’t ready to serve as an outside weapon this early in his career.
Enter Bryant.
Bryant may not be the receiver he once was, but after facing consistent double teams in Dallas for much of his career, he would relish the opportunity to work across from Larry Fitzgerald. More than that, even at his advanced age, Bryant remains one of the best jump-ball receivers in the game.
I can understand the apprehension of bringing in Bryant. Steve Wilks is a disciplinarian with high expectations for his players, Bryant may not fit the mold. Still, he is a one-of-a-kind talent, with a massive chip on his shoulder. He may just be worth a roll of the dice.