The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft; however, the subplot of wide receiver George Pickens’s contract situation could impact things in an unexpected way. The Jerry Jones-led Cowboys have earned notoriety for how they handle negotiations with star players, but Pickens’s situation could even affect how they approach the draft on Thursday.
George Pickens Contract Situation Could Kneecap Cowboys in 2026 NFL Draft
Without Pickens locked down on a contract, Dallas might not have a clear picture of whom it should go after in the draft. Experts lean heavily on the fact that the team has to load up on defense following its historically bad 2025 season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however, believes it’s possible that owner Jones abandons the need for defensive reinforcements to secure wide receiver depth.
“Any one of these defensive players, in a perfect world, somehow the Dallas Cowboys figure out a way to get Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles — it’s hard to imagine,” he said on ESPN’s “Get Up”. “But let me also say this, and it’s worth remembering, going into the draft this weekend… They’re nowhere with George Pickens, right now.”
Pickens has been in the headlines for seeking an extension since last October. And Jones & team have shown little regard for getting a deal done. The draft, however, presents an opportunity for the Cowboys to hedge against Pickens’s potential exit, making the storyline heading into Thursday all the more interesting.
“They’re not really talking about an extension,” Schefter added. “They’re not close to an extension. They’re not getting a deal done at this point in time. He’s on the franchise tag. That situation is just sitting out there. And the Cowboys are said to really like Jordyn Tyson. So it’s just one more subplot in a draft filled with them entering Thursday night.”
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is one of the top receivers in the 2026 class. In nine games last season, he recorded 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. Between him, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon, it’s arguably hard to predict a guaranteed draft order.
“He’s a composed downfield tracker who can make claustrophobic catches at high speeds, and he’s a budding route technician whose malleable makeup and panic-inducing speed produce limitless possibilities as a separator,” PFSN’s scouting report on him noted. “The biggest question mark of Tyson’s evaluation isn’t anything on film; rather, it’s his durability.”
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According to the PFSN CFB WR Impact Metrics, he posted an 81.2 score, ranking 23rd in the nation, and earned a B-, reflecting a solid overall campaign. On PFSN’s Consensus Big Board, Tyson holds an 88.76 grade, ranking No. 11 overall and projecting as a first-round selection.
Replacing Pickens with Tyson would be a very affordable move, but knowing Jerry Jones for the businessman he is, it’s safe to say it’s next to impossible to determine his next move this week.
