Dez Bryant Trade Overview and Key Details
The Dez Bryant trade refers to the transaction in which the Dallas Cowboys traded wide receiver Dez Bryant to the New Orleans Saints on March 13, 2018, in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft that became a fifth-rounder if Bryant met playing time thresholds details at ESPN. The deal was finalized after Bryant was released by Dallas on April 13, 2018, following failed trade attempts during the offseason NFL.com report. Bryant signed a one-year contract with the Saints on April 19, 2018, with a base salary of $1.5 million and up to $3 million in incentives tied to snaps and performance metrics.
The conditional draft pick the Cowboys received was upgraded from a sixth to a fifth round because Bryant appeared in at least 70 percent of the Saints' offensive snaps during the 2018 season, per NFL trade rules. Bryant's tenure with Dallas spanned 2010 to 2017, during which he recorded 82 touchdowns, 9,438 receiving yards, and 691 receptions across 118 games Pro Football Reference stats. The trade marked the end of Bryant's long-standing association with Dallas and shifted him to a supporting role in New Orleans behind Michael Thomas and Drew Brees.
Dez Bryant Career Stats and Performance with the Saints
In 2018, Dez Bryant played 12 regular-season games for the New Orleans Saints, catching 54 passes for 820 yards and 4 touchdowns while averaging 15.2 yards per reception Pro Football Reference. His snaps increased after an injury to Michael Thomas in Week 5, and Bryant became a red-zone focal point, finishing second on the team in touchdown receptions behind Thomas. He also contributed on special teams and served as a veteran presence in the Saints' locker room during their run to the NFC Championship Game.
Bryant's overall career numbers include 9,438 receiving yards, 691 receptions, and 82 touchdowns across 118 regular-season games with Dallas and New Orleans combined Pro Football Reference. He earned three Pro Bowl selections (2014, 2016, 2017) and was a first-team All-Pro in 2014 after recording 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns. His career was shaped by high-leverage performances in playoff games, including a 50-yard touchdown in the 2014 Divisional Round against the Green Bay Packers.
Contract, Financial Impact, and Legacy of the Dez Bryant Trade
Bryant's 2018 contract with the Saints included a $300,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $1.5 million, with incentives worth up to $3 million based on snap counts and targets Spotrac contract breakdown. The Cowboys saved approximately $1