Cowboys Dez Bryant First To Sign

The simple timing of an NFL contract signing can translate into a season’s worth of opportunity.

Dez Bryant was projected to be a top 10 draft pick. We had him high, as did many fantasy and NFL draft sites. After the Cowboys landed what many thought was one of the better steals of the first round, experts leaned in and were quick to point out that this could result in a “Michael Crabtree” type hold-out.

Instead, Dez Bryant was the first NFL 2010 1st round pick to sign.

When a young talented receiver slips in the draft, money becomes an issue. Agents and the media fill the skilled player’s head with large dollar signs that all of a sudden get slashed in half after a free-fall on draft day. Don’t get me wrong, I’d be happy with the worst NFL contract to play in the NFL, but we all know how wide-receivers can be.

On Thursday, Dez Bryant signed a five-year, $11.8 million dollar contact, with $8.3 million guaranteed (unconfirmed). Bryant can also look forward to possibly receiving close to an additional $3 million in incentives and bonuses.

Fantasy Outlook: This is huge for the Cowboys. Dallas will have their newest skilled player running routes in camp with not only the fans respect for being on time, but the players and coaches as well. Even the most down to earth NFL players know the importance and frustration of contract negotiations, so for this kid to hurry the process to get on the field is a refreshing change of pace. I personally would move Bryant up the board, simply based on the fact that he clearly wants the ball, and wants to win.

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