By Justin Worsley
The Dallas Cowboys have signed first-round draft pick Dez Bryant on Thursday according to the Associated Press, making the former Oklahoma State star the first player drafted in the first-round to sign.
Dallas selected Bryant, 21, with the 24th overall pick on April's draft, a steal for a player widely considered the best wide receiver available, despite not being the first receiver selected. Denver took Demaryius Thomas from Georgia Tech two picks before Bryant.
One reason why Bryant slipped in the draft was due to many questions regarding his character concerns. Bryant missed all but three games of the 2009 NCAA season after lying about meeting with mentor and future Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders. Bryant continued to develop "character issues" and scare teams away after selecting Eugene Parker as his agent, the same person who represents one of Bryant's good friends, San Francisco wideout Michael Crabtree. Crabtree infamously held out until late October last season over a contract dispute.
That was not the case with Bryant.
Bryant's deal is for five years and is worth $11.8 million with $8.3 million guaranteed. After being drafted Bryant, who grew up a Cowboys fan, selected jersey number 88 to wear in homage of future Hall of Fame wide receiver and former Cowboy Michael Irvin.
Now Bryant must show he earned the right to wear the number.
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