The eternal Dez Bryant sweepstakes has finally come to a conclusion. After months of speculation, predictions (I was so damn close), and decisions, Dez finally signed with the 7-1 New Orleans Saints. The move makes sense for both sides, as Dez gets a chance to compete with a Super Bowl caliber team and gets a chance at revenge against Dallas in Week 13. New Orleans gets an opportunity to resurrect an All-Pro career. The question is, what do the Saints have in 30-year-old Bryant, or what does a 30-year-old Bryant have to give to the Saints?

The Old Dez

The last time we saw Dez Bryant was last season, where he was trying to corral passes from the ever-so-accurate Dak Prescott while working opposite of Terrance Williams. Sounds like an ideal situation right? Yeah…

Well after Dez put up 69 catches, on a whopping 132 targets, for just 838 yards and six TDs, eyebrows were certainly raised. This was the second straight season with less than 1,000 yards with Dak Prescott as his QB. If you count he and Romo’s injury-plagued 2015, it would make three straight seasons.

What doesn’t make sense, however, is that in 2014, Dez Bryant was on top of the world. He had over 1,300 yards and led the entire league in TDs with 16. That was Dez’s last full season with a functional NFL-caliber QB (sorry Dak), which lets me know that when paired with someone who’s capable (I’d say Drew Brees has proven to be) Dez can devastate defenses.

So…What Does This Look Like?

This move would be a great one for any team competing for a Super Bowl, but Dez Bryant has the ability to take the number two scoring offense (seventh in yards, both per game) from dominant to outright unstoppable. The Saints have thrived with Michael Thomas as the go-to guy at the receiver spot, but following him in receiving yards is RB Alvin Kamara and TE Ben Watson. Finally fourth on the team is another WR, Tre’Quan Smith who has only caught 12 balls this year.

That’s right where Dez fits in. He immediately starts on the outside opposite of Thomas and gets to work one-on-one against corners with (arguably) the most accurate passer in NFL history throwing his way. He’s going to thrive in that situation. He won’t be asked to be Superman like he had to at times in Dallas, but when called upon, he’ll make those types of plays that made him the touchdown king.

Dez will also look to take some pressure off of Michael Thomas. Thomas will obviously be the number one wideout still, but knocking down his workload from 15 targets some games to around 10 will definitely keep defenses on their toes. I don’t care if you think Dez is washed up because the league and defensive backs still respect him. He’s going to receive attention all game, and at times, give Thomas more space to work with.

The biggest place where Dez helps the Saints offense is the red zone. Not like the Saints need much help, as they score touchdowns on over 70% of their red zone trips, good for sixth in the league. However, he’ll certainly play a role. At his peak, he was dominant in the red zone, with 18 TDs combined during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Even last year with Dak Prescott, he was able to find the end zone seven times when inside the twenty. With Dez, the Saints could increase that 71% rate of scoring to even greater heights.

How Good Could They Be?

What it really boils down to is this: no one has found an answer for the Saints offense. Drew Brees is putting up MVP numbers at age 40. Michael Thomas is easily a top-10 receiver in football. Alvin Kamara has become the most versatile running back in the league as a sophomore. Mark Ingram is the SECOND best running back on the team. You couple all that together with the creativity of Sean Payton and there’s something special to be had in New Orleans.

Now…

Throw in a receiver who, at times, looked like a reincarnation of Michael Irvin in Dallas; a guy who, when playing with a talented QB, was unarguably a top WR. Throw him next to another big-bodied wideout, and you have arguably the most physically imposing wide receiver duo in the league today.

Mix it all together, and the Saints have found a way to transform their offense from a good group in 2018 to a potentially all-time great one. They’re looking to cement that claim with a Super Bowl victory.

Want to discuss all things football? Hit me up on Instagram or Twitter @MS_Persources