The Dallas Cowboys have quietly, at least by Cowboys standards, had a very productive offseason. After nailing the 2025 NFL Draft by addressing virtually every area of pressing concern, a blockbuster trade to add George Pickens finally gave CeeDee Lamb and the offense a viable WR2.
However, despite the asking price of a third and seventh-round pick, Pickens might not have been the original wide receiver of choice for owner and general manager Jerry Jones. Instead, the Cowboys first inquired about a former first-round pick currently rostered on a perennial AFC playoff contender.
Dallas Cowboys Tried To Trade for Rashod Bateman Before George Pickens
Last year, the Cowboys had a bottom-10 offense in the league, per PFSN’s Offense+ metric. The lack of a run game and a season-ending injury to Dak Prescott were key factors in that situation. But the need for another playmaker was apparent.
Throughout free agency and the NFL Draft, Dallas did not make any moves to significantly upgrade the position. That was until the Pickens trade landed them one of the best talents and long-range threats in the entire league.
However, Dallas was interested in trading for Rashod Bateman prior to the Pickens’ deal coming together. Jordan Schultz reported: “Sources: During their pursuit of a receiver, the #Cowboys also looked into a trade for #Ravens WR Rashod Bateman. Those talks didn’t go far, and Dallas ultimately struck a post-draft deal with the #Steelers for George Pickens.”
Sources: During their pursuit of a receiver, the #Cowboys also looked into a trade for #Ravens WR Rashod Bateman. Those talks didn’t go far, and Dallas ultimately struck a post-draft deal with the #Steelers for George Pickens.
Dallas’ search for another receiver was a… pic.twitter.com/87QX5rIqcq
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 9, 2025
Bateman, who went 27th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, has had an up-and-down run with the Baltimore Ravens. However, in 2024, he was coming off the most productive year of his career, at 756 yards and nine touchdowns.
The fact that Bateman’s numbers are comparable to Pickens — 59 receptions for 900 yards, with three touchdowns — is kind of crazy since Pickens was WR1 in Pittsburgh last season whereas Bateman was the third option in Baltimore. Those stats might be a testament to the disparity in quarterback play between Lamar Jackson (Ravens) and the Justin Fields/Russell Wilson combo (Baltimore).
Cowboys Conducted Long Search: ‘Months-Long Process’
A search that Schultz described as a “months-long process” ultimately ended with Pickens becoming a Dallas Cowboy. But the situation isn’t a surefire hit immediately. Legendary wide receiver Steve Smith was the first to jump out with his questions about the move.
A lifelong number one option, Pickens being demoted to second behind Lamb might not fly over well, Smith postulated, especially with a player whose locker room issues and scuffles were a major source of distraction for the Steelers.
“George is going to have to calm down, he’s a heck of a football player,” Smith said following one of Pickens’ outbursts in 2024, via FOX News. “He got to tone it down a little bit, just cause people are talking about it.”
However, after Prescott finished the year ranked 30th on PFSN’s QB+ metric, upgrades at the skill positions were a necessity for the highest-paid quarterback in league history to ensure that the offense can go back to its 2023 self.