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Browns Become Odds-On Favorites to Sign Dez Bryant with Gordon Departure

Daniel Coyle

by Daniel Coyle in NFL Football

Updated Mar 30, 2020 · 5:46 PM PDT

Dez Bryant with the Dallas Cowboys
Dez Bryant still has not found a team for the 2018 NFL season. But could Josh Gordon's departure from Cleveland be a door opening for Dez? Photo by Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC License]
  • Gordon dealt to Patriots after suffering injury during unauthorized video shoot
  • Bryant held highly publicized talks with Browns during the offseason
  • Patriots, Titans still lurk near top of Dez Bryant props

The Josh Gordon era in Cleveland has come to a sudden and unexpected end with the news that the Browns have dealt the talented wide receiver to the New England Patriots.

Following six suspension-riddled years with the team, Gordon finally wore out his welcome in Cleveland after reportedly injuring himself last week while filming a video to promote his clothing line.

With the 2013 NFL receiving leader’s departure, the door is now open for Dez Bryant to join the Browns.

Cleveland was pegged as a +400 bet to sign Bryant while holding highly publicized midsummer talks with the star receiver that failed to produce a deal. But with Gordon now gone, the Browns have emerged as a heavy -170 favorite to sign the former Dallas Cowboys star.

Odds to Sign Dez Bryant

Team Odds on which NFL Team Dez Bryant will play for in 2018
Cleveland Browns -170
Tennessee Titans +400
New England Patriots +500
Washington Redskins +500
Baltimore Ravens +600
Jacksonville Jaguars +700
Seattle Seahawks +700
San Francisco 49ers +800
Does Not Play +450
Field (Any Other Team) +200

Browns Lead Crowded Pack of Potential Suitors

Selected 24th overall by Dallas in the 2010 NFL Draft, Bryant has been a free agent since being released by the Cowboys back in April. In addition to the Browns, Bryant has held discussions with several NFL teams, with other potential destinations including Jacksonville, New England, and Tennessee.

With two-time team receiving leader Allen Robinson moving on to Chicago in the offseason, and Marqise Lee suffering a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of preseason action, the Jaguars’ sudden and glaring downfield needs made them early +200 favorites to land Bryant.

However, with the Jaguars jumping out to a 2-0 up start, capped by last weekend’s 31-20 win over the Patriots as 2-point home underdogs, the sense of urgency to shake up their receiving corps looks to have diminished, along with their odds of signing Bryant, which have slipped to +700.

New England entered the season looking noticeably thin downfield after parting ways with Brandin Cooks during the summer

Despite picking up Gordon, the Patriots remain a +500 bet on the Dez Bryant props. New England entered the season looking noticeably thin downfield after parting ways with Brandin Cooks during the summer. In addition, Julian Edelman’s current suspension will keep him out of the lineup for the next two weeks.

Few doubt Gordon’s ability to still be a game changer, but his history of bad behavior brings an element of risk to New England, who could still turn to Bryant should Gordon fail to conform to the Patriots’ highly disciplined way of conducting business.

Injury-ravaged Titans Remain a Player in the Dez Bryant Sweepstakes

Tennessee’s cobbled receiving corps has produced middling results over the first two weeks of the season. The 1-1 Titans look to Week 3 ranked 27th in the NFL in total receiving yards, a situation further complicated by a season-ending injury to tight end Delanie Walker, who led the team in receiving yards last season.

While second-year receiver Corey Davis has been steady early on as the team’s top receiving target, the Titans continue to climb on the Dez Bryant props, and currently trail only the Browns at +400, well ahead of the +1000 odds they sported in late August.

Bryant to Browns Speculation Persists

But the speculation swirling around Bryant and the Browns won’t go away, and with good reason.

The decision to part ways with Gordon is in line with the team’s long-term goal of creating a winning culture. However, Gordon’s departure leaves the Browns with a serious lack of veteran downfield depth beyond Jarvis Landry.

The addition of Bryant would provide a short-term solution, and allow talented youngsters Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins much needed time to continue their development.

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