Don’t release Dez Bryant, trade him says one publication, and they figured out who needs him

Just yesterday, we posted about ESPN’s bold prediction that the Cowboys would release Dez Bryant. Of course, when you do a “bold” prediction, most of the time they don’t work out. The idea is to be a little crazy with your prediction. So instead of leaving it there, let’s go even further on the boldness scale. Instead of releasing Dez, the Cowboys actually find a trade partner for him, and net a decent draft pick in the process. That is one offseason trade Bleacher Report thinks needs to happen this offseason.

In an article where every team makes a trade for a player, Bleacher Report has the Carolina Panthers trading for Dez.

Dez Bryant is still considered an elite wide receiver by the general public despite three straight disappointing campaigns. Bryant missed multiple contests in 2015 and ‘16 due to injuries. He finally played in all 16 games this past season and managed only 838 receiving yards, with a career-low 12.1 yards per reception.

The Dallas Cowboys are paying Bryant to be a No. 1 wide receiver, though. The 29-year-old target holds the third-highest WR salary-cap hit at $16.5 million in 2018. He’ll move to second if Larry Fitzgerald decides to retire.

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The three-time Pro Bowl performer may not be as good as he once was, but he’s still better than anyone on Carolina’s roster and still worth an early-round pick as compensation. The Panthers do own a pair of third-round selections.

That begs the question, would you give up Dez for a third-round pick? You likely can’t replace him with that pick, but could you use it in a trade package to move up and get a better pick in the first round. You could also use the trade to free up some cap space and make moves in free agency.

So who do the Cowboys trade for in this fantasy land of swapping? A familiar name.

Safety Earl Thomas

Now is the time for the Seahawks to sell high. Thomas is only 28 years old and has a year remaining on his current contract. The rest of the defense is falling apart, with major or career-threatening injuries to Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril.

The financial aspect of this potential deal will be a little difficult to navigate since the Cowboys only have enough cap space at the moment to re-sign defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Although, a Dez Bryant trade or release creates an avenue toward Thomas’ acquisition.

Maybe the Cowboys should just send Dez to the Seahawks and cut out the middle-man. If only the NFL were like other leagues where these kinds of trades were a regular thing. That would certainly spice up the offseason.