Wide receiver Dez Bryant made it clear that he has no regrets turning down an offer from the Baltimore Ravens despite not drawing any other reported interest.
The feeling should be mutual.
The Ravens would've generated a lot of national buzz by signing Bryant. It would've gone down as one of the most high-profile free-agent signings in the team's 23-year existence.
But, football-wise, this represented a redundant move. Bryant is a physical possession receiver who will come up big in the red zone. That's the exact description of Michael Crabtree, who was signed by the Ravens earlier in free agency.
Bringing in Bryant would've been the right signing if the Ravens wanted a big name to lure more fans back to M&T Bank Stadium. If Baltimore wanted to add more diverse targets for Joe Flacco, Bryant wasn't the answer.
In that regard, Bryant's snub benefited Baltimore. It saved the Ravens from using what little salary-cap room they had left on a type of receiver that they already have on the roster. Baltimore had to find a receiver to complement Crabtree, not mirror him.
After signing Crabtree and John Brown in free agency, the Ravens really needed someone to play the slot to fill out their receiver group. When Bryant opted not to go to Baltimore, the Ravens signed restricted free agent Willie Snead. That decision made more sense, even though it didn't gain the same attention as if the Ravens had added Bryant.
It wasn't a surprise that Baltimore pursued Bryant. The Ravens thought they were going to draft Bryant in 2010 before the Dallas Cowboys traded ahead of them to select him. Bryant also fits a familiar profile for Baltimore. The Ravens have had success with veteran receivers who've been cut: Derrick Mason, Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace.
No one can blame Bryant for looking for an opportunity elsewhere. If he wants a one-year deal and a chance to prove himself in hopes of getting a long-term contract in 2019, the Ravens aren't the ideal destination.
Baltimore ranked No. 29 in passing last season. Since the 2013 season -- a span of 80 games -- Ravens wide receivers have produced 16 100-yard games.
Flacco averaged 5.7 yards per attempt last season, which is the second-worst total since 2013. Only Derek Carr in 2014 has had a worst yards-per-attempt average (5.46) over the past five years.
When looking at the receivers who got away, Bryant probably isn't at the top of the Ravens' list. Baltimore was in the mix for Chicago Bears restricted free agent Cameron Meredith last month before he chose to sign with the New Orleans Saints. With a good combination of size and speed, Meredith had the potential to be the Ravens' No. 1 receiver.
With Bryant, there is more uncertainty at this stage of his career. He could've come in with a chip on his shoulder and produced his best season in recent memory. But Bryant could have struggled to find his niche in the passing attack and become a distraction on the sideline.
No one really could predict how it would've turned out for Bryant in Baltimore. All that's known is Bryant didn't seem to be a perfect match for the Ravens.