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The Las Vegas Raiders lack a No. 1 wideout, and one name that has been in the speculation mill is Dallas Cowboys‘ George Pickens. Moreover, Pickens’ future took a major turn, and more speculation will likely emerge about whether Dallas will entertain trading him.

On April 22, Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones stated that the team will not hold contract talks regarding a long-term deal with Pickens, who Dallas placed the franchise tag on this offseason, per ESPN. 

Amid this latest development, ESPN’s Pat McAfee sees the Cowboys wideout getting paid elsewhere, where that might be he didn’t state. Nonetheless, with teams like the Raiders lacking a No. 1 guy, there will be no shortage of suitors.

“He’ll get a deal before he gets signed or traded,” McAfee said on the April 22 edition of the “Pat McAfee Show.” “George Pickens’ bank account is about to be gigantic, and this news just kind of confirmed that for me, because now there’s an opportunity for there to be a little competition for him.

“I will tell you he is not playing under a tag. He’ll play football somewhere, and I think he’s going to get paid somewhere, probably if I had to guess.”

Last season with the Cowboys, Pickens posted an 85.9 overall PFF grade, 10th among 81 qualified wide receivers. His PFF receiving grade of 87.2 ranked 8th among 81 qualified wide receivers.

He hauled in 93 receptions on 131 targets for 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Moreover, Pickens averaged 15.4 yards per reception on the season.

Raiders Urged to Make Move for George Pickens

When it comes to weapons, the Raiders have Ashton Jeanty on the ground, who can contribute in the passing game. Moreover, as far as pass-catchers, there’s Brock Bowers, who’s arguably one of the best young tight ends.

Nonetheless, in free agency, the Silver and Black did pick up Jalen Nailor, who could be ready for a bigger role. Still, Las Vegas needs to find a WR1, and former wideout Chad Johnson has one in mind.

“One move I’ve talked about almost all season long: George Pickens,“ Johnson said in a video posted by “Inside the NFL“ on Feb. 12. “I would love for George Pickens to have a move. A lot of Dallas Cowboys fans are somewhat delusional and also selfish, wanting to keep George Pickens there when you already have CeeDee Lamb.

“Listen, coming from a great offense, you saw a small sample size of what George Pickens could do, but he needs to be a No. 1 on his own team, and also maximize his value while he can get it now.

“Don’t give Dallas a discount. They’re going to use certain things against you and diminish your value. Allow him to go to the Las Vegas Raiders, new coach Klint Kubiak, [Fernando] Mendoza getting drafted, going to be No. 1.”

Should the Cowboys Field Offers for George Pickens?

On the Feb. 27 edition of “First Things First,“ co-host Nick Wright urged the Cowboys to consider fielding trade offers, which would be an ideal scenario for the Raiders to fill that need for a top wide receiver.

“What can happen is [Pickens] can negotiate with the team, and then that team can go to Dallas and be like, ‘What do you want for him?‘ And that’s what should happen,“ Wright said. “Listen, Jerry Jones, you won the George Pickens trade. You got George Pickens for essentially a third-round pick.

“You got a super productive year at $3 million, and now you are able to trade him for assuredly a second-round pick. What a great trade. You turned a third-round pick into a second-round pick and a super productive season from a player. Perfect. That’s what you should do.”