New York Jets: Sign Dez Bryant or Bring Back Percy Harvin

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant before the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets need to upgrade their roster, especially on offense. This weekend, our buddy, @CoachRonScouts, posed the following question via Twitter:

Jets fans: Would you rather pay Percy Harvin $10.5 million or Dez Bryant $15 million?

— R0n Plckett (@CoachRonScouts) January 11, 2015

It’s an interesting question that the Jets will get the opportunity to answer. These are two players that would help the Jets immensely. Percy Harvin has already had a positive affect on the Jets, and if the Jets ever figured out a way to bring Dez Bryant into the fold, he would change the team.

So, who is the better choice? Let’s talk about it.

Next: The Stats

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin (16) fields a kick off in the first quarter against the New England Patriots during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

We will start with comparing the stats, first for the incumbent, Percy Harvin:

Receiving & Rushing

Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) is unable to catch a pass against Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields (37) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Then for comparison, we have the stats for Dez Bryant:

Receiving & Rushing

The stats really aren’t close. Dez Bryant has recorded over twice as many touchdown receptions, as well as nearly 2,000 more receiving yards. Bryant has only been in the league one more year than Percy Harvin. Definitely an advantage goes to Dez Bryant.

Next: The Financials

Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin (16) catches a pass during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s compare the financials for these two players.

Percy Harvin is under contract for one more year with the Jets. Percy Harvin, under his current deal, is set to make $10,500,00 in 2015, all of it guaranteed. To keep Harvin here, the Jets would likely renegotiate the amount he will make, but some reports have indicated that Harvin is unwilling to redo his deal.

Dez Bryant is a free agent, and an unrestricted one at that. With all of the gaudy numbers that Bryant has put up to date, his average salary per season from his last deal is about $2.3 million. With 31 touchdowns over the last three seasons, Bryant has a big payday coming to him, and deservedly so.

I believe that Ron hit it correctly in his Tweet, that it would take around $15 million to get Dez Bryant to wear the Green and White.

Harvin would come significantly cheaper, so advantage Harvin in this case.

Next: The Injury Factor

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Percy Harvin (16) is helped off the field during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Jets 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports