Even with two first-round selections in their pocket for Thursday’s NFL Draft, the drama surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens may put a damper on the evening.
The negotiations (or lack thereof) could impact which direction the Cowboys go in the draft. They have eight total picks, including Nos. 12 and 20 in the first round.
NFL World Reacts as Cowboys and George Pickens Are at a Crossroads
Pickens, a former second-round pick, was traded to the Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason. He thrived in his first year playing alongside another All-Pro wideout in CeeDee Lamb, registering career-best 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns in the 2025 season.
But rather than committing to him long-term, which appeared initially to be in line with the Cowboys’ intentions, they decided to sign Pickens to the franchise tag.
Pickens has yet to sign the deal committing to the tag, which would be a one-year contract worth just south of $27.3 million dollars. It’s unlikely that he will; Pickens, like any receiver, will want long-term security from the team he plays for.
“So after a record-setting first season in Dallas, George Pickens will not have long-term security with the Cowboys this season,” notes former ESPN analyst Ed Werder. “This seems to be getting uglier than expected already.”
So after a record-setting first season in Dallas, George Pickens will not have long-term security with the Cowboys this season. This seems to be getting uglier than expected already. https://t.co/AkLFCCGKpg
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) April 22, 2026
Without that signature, matters are just going to get even more interesting. Especially if a wide receiver that the Cowboys truly covet slips in the first round.
Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson is a popular name that’s projected as a top-10 pick, especially after his personal workout in front of NFL teams last week.
If he’s within range as a potential trade-up candidate and the dilemma with Pickens persists, Jerry Jones might not be able to resist. “So the Cowboys are going to use one of their first round picks on a WR,” Sigmund Bloom wrote.
So the Cowboys are going to use one of their first round picks on a WR https://t.co/ld8oRUP4LR
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) April 22, 2026
The team’s executive vice president, Stephen Jones, said on Wednesday that Pickens will play under the franchise tag. It’s unclear just how Pickens will react to that news, but NFL analyst Albert Breer believes it isn’t a shock that this was the Cowboys’ preferred path.
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“Not a shocker. Makes sense that they’d want to see another year of the George Pickens they got last year before going all in,” Breer noted.
Not a shocker. Makes sense that they’d want to see another year of the George Pickens they got last year before going all in. https://t.co/bLMZo5blO0
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 22, 2026
The Cowboys are on the heels of signing kicker Brandon Aubrey to a four-year extension, but the avenue to keeping Pickens in the mix won’t be as smooth. Because of Aubrey’s extension, NFL insider Ian Rapoport said that the Cowboys are “proactive” with getting deals done, which didn’t go over well with NFL Analyst JP Acosta.
So much for “the Cowboys are always proactive in getting deals done” https://t.co/jBVRnaLGCc
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) April 22, 2026
Anthony DiBona, who covers the rival Philadelphia Eagles, is calling it yet another “botch” on the Cowboys’ end. “No team botches negotiations like the Cowboys,” DiBona wrote.
Remember when Ian Rapoport tweeted out this nonsense a few day ago?
“Dallas has, in recent years, been proactive with getting deals done. Another example and a huge payday for the NFL’s best.”
No team botches negotiations like the Cowboys. https://t.co/fdFnaSVAXQ
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) April 22, 2026
Dallas-based podcaster Kevin Gray Jr. calls it a “mistake” by the Cowboys not to keep Pickens aboard with a long-term deal. “This is unbelievable to not pay George Pickens, this is a mistake by the Cowboys,” he noted on X.
This is unbelievable to not pay George Pickens, this is a mistake by the Cowboys #DallasCowboys https://t.co/whHqED5lWK
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) April 22, 2026
Pickens far exceeded his expectations last year, finishing third among all wide receivers in PFSN’s Impact Rankings, trailing only Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua.
This beats his previous career-best of finishing 17th in his best season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They clearly have an interest in keeping him on their roster, but his massive success surely comes with an inflated price tag.
