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The Dallas Cowboys could trade star WR George Pickens during the 2026 NFL draft

Just 24 hours ago, most believed the Dallas Cowboys would use both of their first-round picks on defensive players.

Fast forward to Thursday morning, and not that scenario doesn’t seem so likely.

Cowboys executive vice president Steph Jones admitted there would be no long-term extension for Pickens, who was franchise-tagged weeks ago, hinting the team wasn’t interested in paying two top-of-the-market receivers.

“It’s not easy having two receivers being paid at the top of the market,” Jones told reporters. “I mean, that’s obviously a stretch, especially when you have other great players on your team. A quarterback that’s been here, being the highest-paid player in this league for many years now. Certainly, that’s part of it.”

Pickens Could Take Matters Into His Own Hands

GettyThe Dallas Cowboys will not sign WR George Pickens to a long-term contract extension

According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, if Pickens chooses, he could make like incredibly difficult for the Cowboys as a way to get back at them for franchise-tagging him and not working toward locking him up long-term.

“If he chooses, George Pickens could sit out until Week 10 of the regular season in order to gain an accredited year and hit free agency in 2027,” Archer explained. “Not sure that would be the best move for him, but it is possible.”

Archer’s proposition is a risky one for Pickens.

It might tank his value in the eyes of other teams, it would raise even more concerns about Pickens being a selfish player, and he would forgo 65% of his 2026 salary ($27.29 million for the WR franchise tag).

Archer also stated during a radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan on Thursday morning that he believes the Cowboys never planned for Pickens to be a part of the team long-term.

“I think there will be a compensatory pick in 2028 for the Cowboys for George Pickens,” Archer said. “Jerry (Jones) said there’s a long-term plan that they have…he didn’t say the long-term plan is signing him to a long-term contract. … I don’t see a long-term deal happening here.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed on Wednesday that the Cowboys are high on Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, and it’s possible if Dallas is planning on Pickens being gone after the 2026 season that the team grabs Tyson if he’s still available in Round 1 on Thursday night.

What is Pickens’ Trade Value?

GettyDallas Cowboys WR George Pickens is set to play on the franchise tag in 2026

If Dallas did decide to move Pickens during the 2026 NFL draft, what could they expect in return.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes a second-round pick wouldn’t be out of the question, especially with the number of teams that could potentially draft a WR in Round 1. Those teams could use their first-rounder on another position of need and flip its second-rounder for Pickens, who’s an already established star in the NFL.

“Right now, my thought going into tonight with the draft is if Jordyn Tyson, the receiver out of Arizona State, or Carnell Tate, the receiver out of Ohio State, fall to No. 12, even though the Cowboys need defensive players, they’re going to take one of those receivers and the shopping of George Pickens starts,” Orlovsky said.

“He was traded for a third [round pick last year], if the Cowboys get a second-round pick for George Pickens — coming off of [a 93-catch, 1,429-yard, 9-TD year] last season they should — and they draft a receiver tonight, that’s a good job by their front office.”

Orlovsky named the Las Vegas Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots as teams who could be interested in Pickens if the Cowboys make him available.