“The Dallas Cowboys slapped the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens,” Knox wrote. “While the two sides are not actively negotiating an extension, the Cowboys—at least publicly—insist they want to keep the star pass-catcher long-term. Given Pickens’ age (25) and proven production (1,429 yards in 2025), teams will likely inquire about him just before or during the draft. The Cowboys, who are already paying CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year, might listen. Replacing Pickens with a receiver like Kevin Concepcion or Omar Cooper Jr. — on a rookie contract — would make plenty of financial sense. Snagging Pickens would make sense for a team like the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore could use a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and Pickens would certainly fill that need. He may also relish a chance to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers team that jettisoned him a year ago.”

While the franchise tag would pay Pickens roughly $27 million in 2026, Spotrac projects Pickens to receive a 4-year, $122.4 million contract extension.

Draft Day Trade Prediction Could ‘Rock’ NFL

Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts the Cowboys could “Rock” the 1st day of the NFL draft by dealing Pickens — maybe even as the 1st round progresses.

“Dallas locked up Pickens early in the offseason with the franchise tag and is widely expected to address its 30th-ranked defense early in the draft,” Knox wrote. “However, the Cowboys haven’t ruled out taking an offensive difference-maker with the 12th or 20th overall selections. The Cowboys might be even more eager to land an offensive playmaker if they decided to trade Pickens during the draft’s opening night. While keeping him long-term makes plenty of sense in a vacuum, paying Pickens a market rate alongside CeeDee Lamb could be problematic.”

Pickens just played the final season of his 4-year, $6.75 million rookie contract by playing the best season of his career and was third in the NFL with 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns — all career highs.

Tensions Could Rise Between Pickens & Cowboys

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported in February that, should the Cowboys place the franchise tag on Pickens, it could likely result in a “standoff” between player and team.

The franchise tag for Pickens in 2026 would pay him an estimated $28 million.

“Pickens wants to stay with the Cowboys, but he’s not going to take less than market value,” Fowler said on Thursday. “He’s not going to cut them any deals.”