It is shocking to say the least that the NFL preseason started and Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant has not found his way onto an NFL roster.

Bryant, who has regressed statistically since his 2014 season where he led the NFL in touchdown receptions, but he is only 29 years old and has a lot left in the tank and can offer any team a solid deep-threat receiver who doubles as a vital redzone target.

There are two issues for teams that may be looking to add the former Dallas Cowboy onto their roster: his history of being a sideline and locker room distraction and his lack of production since 2014.

I don’t think that his history of being a sideline and locker room distraction should play a terrible amount into a team’s decision to add Bryant. His outbursts have been cited to be because he is a fiery player and his passion for the game. He’s simply an emotional guy. Sometimes it can be a distraction, but I believe that under the right coaching staff with the right leadership, then it could be maintained.

As for his lack of production, the Bryant-Dak Prescott connection never seemed to mix. When Tony Romo was at quarterback for the Cowboys, it was always clear that Bryant was ‘the guy.’ The QB-WR duo always seemed on the same page and it put Bryant on the list as an elite wide out in the NFL.

When Prescott took over the starting job, they just never really seemed to be on the same page. With Romo, Bryant averaged around 90 receptions per season and scored 41 receiving touchdowns from 2012-2014, but with Prescott, his reception totals dropped to sub-70 a season and only scored 14 receiving touchdowns from 2016-2017.

Bryant’s goal at this point should be to find his way onto a roster with a quarterback who he can make a connection with that would trust him enough to throw the ball up to him once in awhile.

The Cowboys all-time receiving touchdowns leader actually garnered some interest before the NFL Draft from the Baltimore Ravens, but he turned down the three-year, $21 million contract that was later signed by former Oakland Raider Michael Crabtree. Bryant is looking to sign with a team for a one-year deal, hoping to test the market after what he hopes to be a big season in 2018-2019.

So, what uniform could we potentially see Bryant in this season. Unless the New York Giants change their minds, then that’s off the table. They already have an emotional, top-tier wide receiver on their roster anyway.

Let’s look at the top eight teams that are the best fits for Bryant.

1. Cleveland Browns

Tyrod Taylor hopes Dez Bryant becomes a Brown https://t.co/groehQw4fQ — ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 11, 2018

After going 0-16, what do the Browns do? Fire general manager Sashi Brown, hire John Dorsey to fill his spot, trade for their new starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor, trade for the most dominant slot receiver in the NFL in Jarvis Landry, and sign a solid running back in Carlos Hyde.

The Browns seem like the best fit for Dez Bryant who are looking to do the same thing that he is: bounce back.

Cleveland right now needs that deep-threat, top-tier receiver like Bryant to compliment the short-to-medium pass catcher, Landry. Taylor could really use a receiver of Bryant’s caliber with the cannon that he has of an arm.

If Dez decided to play for the Browns, I believe that we’d see the ‘X’ thrown up a lot this season. Cleveland would have a more dynamic offense and would be able to spread the field more. Their offense would potentially be in the top 10 of the NFL with the addition of someone like Bryant.

If the Browns want to have any chance at the playoffs, then they would do the right thing and sign Dez as soon as possible. Money should be no issue at all for a team with as much cap space as Cleveland.

Right now they would be an 8-8 or 7-9 team at their absolute best, but with number 88 on their roster, they could be a potential 9-7, playoff-caliber team.

2. Green Bay Packers

Well played @AaronRodgers12! I see what you’re doing there.

Brian Gutekunst might want to bring some competition to @packers camp… @dezbryant would raise the bar. pic.twitter.com/IborhoZlYa — Ryan Gooding (@SequoiaRoots) August 7, 2018

Aaron Rodgers and Dez Bryant on the same team? Where do I sign up?

As far as quarterback-wide receiver connections go, this is the best option for Bryant. Rodgers is just about as elite as they come and, with Jordy Nelson now a Raider and out of the picture, it opens up the number one receiver spot on the Packers depth chart.

I don’t think there is a huge difference in play between Bryant and Nelson. They both can beat you downfield and fiend off redzone opportunities. When I think of Nelson, I think of a higher football IQ and when I think of Bryant, I think more of a natural, physical talent.

Nelson and Rodgers were like a match made in heaven. It was as if they could read each others minds. If the Packers sign Bryant, I wouldn’t expect the duo to be just as dominant as Rodgers was with Nelson. I can see Bryant’s fiery nature and emotion clashing with Rodgers and causing some issues, but I don’t think it would greatly impact the success of the team. I just don’t think that they will click the same way as Rodgers did with Nelson.

The Packers are one of the more obvious choices right now for a potential Super Bowl ring and advertising himself if he is keen on testing the free agency next offseason. The stats that he would post as a Packer would almost be out of this world.

Green Bay has a few options in the passing game in Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, and Jimmy Graham, but Rodgers has already proven that he can operate an offense and get everybody a decent amount of touches.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Dez Bryant posts, deletes that he wants to play for the 49ers https://t.co/lEJqjXVrnq pic.twitter.com/Gilb1xlJ4m — SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) May 28, 2018

Jimmy Garoppolo proved to us last season that he can be a successful NFL quarterback with only having a couple decent receivers around him, but what could he do with someone like Dez Bryant?

The 49ers haven’t had a receiver as good as Bryant since now Hall of Famer Terrell Owens in 2003, and now they have a quarterback that’s not afraid to throw the ball up to get it in his hands.

I don’t see the Niners having any remote chance in the division race without a player like Bryant. Even with Bryant their chances are pretty slim, but they’re going to need a high-scoring offense to compete against the Los Angeles Rams, who bolstered their already above-average defense this offseason.

San Fran doesn’t have many options at receiver. Marquise Goodwin had a pretty decent season in 2017-2018, but he was the only somewhat decent receiver on the roster besides their running back Hyde, who was involved a lot in the passing game, especially with the absence of Pierre Garcon for half of the season. With Hyde on the Browns, Garoppolo would have even less options in the passing game without Bryant.

If everyone stays healthy, the Niners could be a decent offensive threat with Bryant on their roster. Getting balls thrown to you from Garoppolo could increase your value for next season too.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

@DezBryant is still a free agent. @TrevanPixley writer about why the Jags should pursue the former Cowboy receiver. https://t.co/dbgK1IN7S9 — Full Press Jaguars (@FPC_Jaguars) August 5, 2018

The Jaguars offense isn’t very impressive. Aside from the fact that Leonard Fournette helped the Jags be the top rushing team in the NFL, their passing offense was 17th in the league, which could use some work if you want to compete for a Super Bowl.

The main issue here is that they don’t have many options in the passing game. Marquise Lee and Keelan Cole are alright receivers, but they aren’t anything special and now they’ll have Austin Sefarian-Jenkins to hopefully be a solid addition for their tight ends.

Jacksonville relied heavily on defense and just making it by on offense to get to the AFC Championship game last season, but Bryant could help boost their offense a bit.

Now, Blake Bortles isn’t exactly the best quarterback to attract a receiver like Bryant, which is why I don’t think he’ll end up there, but with the lack of any other big-threat receivers, he would receive the bulk of the targets as Sacksonville tries to get their offense on the right track.

In a division that’s growing tougher by the year like the AFC South with up-and-coming defenses, it’s in the Jaguars best interest to add Dez to be able to compete against teams like they’ll be battling it out with for a division title.

5. Washington Redskins

The main reason for Bryant being a good fit for the Redskins is the fact that they’re in the NFC East. Dez made it fairly clear after his release that he wants to play against the Cowboys twice this season, and, unless he ends up on a team that plays them in the regular season and the playoffs, he’ll need to play on an NFC East team to do so.

The Redskins wouldn’t be the worst landing spot for Bryant. They acquired quarterback Alex Smith who showed us the last couple years that he isn’t afraid to throw the ball downfield, and they have a couple young receivers in Josh Doctson and Jamison Crowder who would be a decent supporting cast for the 29-year-old. And let’s not forget about tight end Jordan Reed, who is a top-five tight end if he could actually stay healthy.

As for a potential playoff team, Washington wouldn’t be the best spot for Bryant. He would undoubtedly be the number one receiver and receive a good portion of targets, especially in the redzone, but the Redskins aren’t built for the playoffs yet. They may very well finish last in a talented NFC East.

If the Redskins are interested, then Bryant will have to make the decision if he’d rather play for a team where he’ll pile up stats for potentially a better contract in 2019 or play for a team where he’ll be able to torment the Cowboys twice a year. I’m not sure which one means more to him, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in a Redskins uniform this season.

6. Houston Texans

Who wants to see Dez Bryant join the Texans? https://t.co/2Iryz76A7x — SB Nation NFL (@SBNationNFL) August 9, 2018

Might as well stay close to home, right?

The Texans are a very intriguing team coming into this season. They already have a fairly decent receiving corps led by DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller, but adding Bryant would put their offense over the top. The flooding of offensive talent might push Bryant away from wanting to catch passes from DeShaun Watson, but at least the Texans will face off against the Cowboys in week five.

Bryant wants the ball in his hands as much as possible and wants to be the top receiver on a team, so a team flooding with talent would make it tough for him to accomplish that. Talent around him like Hopkins and Fuller is great, but not if they take away some of the production that he could be seeing.

With the amount of weapons that Houston has, their offense would really be able to spread the field and open up opportunities that they wouldn’t have the option for if Bryant wasn’t there.

In my opinion, the Texans are the best landing spot for Bryant to come home with a Super Bowl ring, but his numbers would likely take a toll.

If I were personally able to choose where Dez went next season, it would be between the Browns and the Texans, but to accomplish what he wants to this season, the Texans wouldn’t be the top choice, though they’re still a valid option.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

.@stephenasmith thinks Dez Bryant would shine with the Steelers. pic.twitter.com/dt1x7nJzfu — First Take (@FirstTake) August 2, 2018

If Dez Bryant became a Pittsburgh Steeler than there is no doubt in my mind that they would be the biggest offensive juggernaut in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’veon Bell, Juju Smith-Scheuster, and Dez Bryant? That’s absolute insanity.

It also helps when the best receiver in the league is trying to recruit you.

Come play with me @DezBryant let’s get the chip……….Eat Greedy……Big plates……. — Antonio Brown (@AB84) July 29, 2018

Bryant would put the Steelers head and shoulders above the competition, but the same issue with the Texans is what might be his issue with Pittsburgh. Sure, he’ll be on a successful team, but his main goal seems to be individual success rather than team success. He doesn’t want to come onto a roster to be the second-string wide receiver behind Brown and take less of a workload. He wants to come onto a roster and be ‘the guy.’ He wants the ball in his hand as often as possible.

While I obviously wouldn’t count a team like this out – or I wouldn’t have put them on the list – it’s clearly not the best fit for what his goals are. He wants to eat up receptions so that he can get a fat contract next season and, with Brown being the dominant receiver on the depth chart, that is unlikely.

8. New England Patriots

Well, this could be dangerous.

Imagine Tom Brady throwing passes to Dez Bryant. The image is great, but Bryant isn’t a short, white guy, so it’d be bit difficult to see him catching passes from Brady.

The Patriots just seem like a team that doesn’t need the big name, high-caliber receiver to be successful. Who do they really have? Julian Edelman? It seems more like he’s benefiting from the system he’s in rather than truly being a top-end receiver. Throw him on any other roster and he wouldn’t be nearly as successful as he has been in New England. Chris Hogan? He’s decent, but nothing about him stands out to me. Rob Gronkowski? Well, yeah he’s good, when he actually stays on the field.

The point is that Brady can use anyone on offense. I feel like the Patriots would find a way to use Bryant in their offensive scheme, but he would get overshadowed by the receivers that have already been on this roster and have built Brady’s trust.

It would likely be an easy Super Bowl appearance if Bryant went to New England, plus he is actually a solid fit for their offense.

New England is where you go to find the best version of yourself.