Pickens appears to be a poor risk

[Ranching]

Yep I posted that yesterday!

There are still a few of us around. Salud!

 

[Aerolithe_Lion]

You did not finish the math. You get back a comp pick in your equation which could be a 3rd or a 4th.

It’s only a 3rd or 4th if he outplays CD Lamb. It’s likely a 5 or a 6

 

[conner01]

If he's awful, which I doubt, and leaves after the season and signs elsewhere, he'll probably land them a 2027 5th rd comp pick. If he's very good and leaves he'll probably land them a 2027 3rd rd comp pick. Hey if Brian is going to be the king of culture and all that, they need to be able to handle a non perfect citizen player. His skills are undeniable. If he falls in line, they'll find the money to keep him and have a top 5 duo for a few years. I am perfectly fine with the risk/reward factor.

A 3rd round comp pick may not be as automatic as some think. But if he plays well you have options, extend him which I don’t see being likely, tag him and trade him. A 4th in upcoming draft is better than a comp pick since that’s a year down the round. And to get a 3rd rnd comp isn’t a given anyway. Or let him play another season on the tag which would be around 24 mil

 

[conner01]

The reality is that this pick alone won't move the needle because we have so many positions with questions such as DT, LB, RB and CB.

We've seen several off seasons where Jerry just refused to aquire starting talent via Free Agency and now it's piled up

Judge this pick merely on addressing ONE area of need.

I’m not too concerned at RB, but defense has issues. Fixing the defense is much harder than adding to the offense. Pickens was easier to get than an impact DT would be to get. So you offset the weakness on D by increasing the offende. Control the ball, score in the redzone and you take away a teams ability to just run on you all day. To me with what was availible that was the best option

 

[Rayman70]

IMO Giving up a third for a risky 1 year rental, and there is no guarantee about how good the comp pick will be, is not what this team should be doing. This team should be acquiring picks not trading them away. It's not like this roster is a WR away from contending. Our defense is still in poor shape. They should be planning now for when we can move on from the Dak era. A 3rd next year would still be on his rookie deal depending when they cut ties with Dak.

I can see your point. Makes good sense. I like it. Yes, our defense is poor. To me, it's not being focused on nearly enough, even though we tried to address it. It's soft. But looking at it from another stance, we just signed some guys to new deals, like CD. No way in heck we were going to go into team rebuild mode, aquiring picks, essentially tanking organically, after we made a couple huge financial commitments. That's not how teams usually think, unless in fact they are going to go into a full on rebuild, and liquidation of contracts. We chose to do a very soft rebuild by doing nothing last off-season, and that included letting the entire staff walk. Don't forget, we allowed 11 players to leave in 2024. That is significant. We are still trying to replace those losses. Both paths are interesting. Not sure there is a one size fits all plan for any team, but we will see if we guessed right soon. I'm encouraged that we at very least seem to be taking big swings, and have a plan. Right or wrong, I love the effort.

 

[starfan1]

I’m not too concerned at RB, but defense has issues. Fixing the defense is much harder than adding to the offense. Pickens was easier to get than an impact DT would be to get. So you offset the weakness on D by increasing the offende. Control the ball, score in the redzone and you take away a teams ability to just run on you all day. To me with what was availible that was the best option

Ya I think when Jerry decided to pay OSA and his commitment to Mazi took a DT early out of the equation

Maybe the 7th rounder turns out to be good enough to bench Mazi

 

[Reid1boys]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

Did you like the guy that helped us win some super bowls, even though he pissed on the GMs car?

 

[conner01]

Ya I think when Jerry decided to pay OSA and his commitment to Mazi took a DT early out of the equation

Maybe the 7th rounder turns out to be good enough to bench Mazi

I think the thought the guard was better than the DT at that spot. Grant was there and I like him but he’s what Mazi was suppose to be, not a guy that impacts passing game much. Hopefully mazi takes a big leap. I thought he did look a little better late in the year. I’m hoping he’s got all his weight back and a new coach clicks with him and gets the best out of him

 

[TNCowboy]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

The 5th is in 2027. 5th rounders don't have much value to begin with. Dallas had at one point 4 of them this year, and 3 of them for next year. So basically the only significant asset here is a 3rd.

If they don't sign him long term - which they probably won't - someone will pay him next year, the NFL never turns down talent, which means Dallas will get a high comp pick in '27.

I'm not a huge fan of the trade, but there's not a lot of risk here. Worst case, he is a locker room disruption and the team goes nowhere, he'd just be gasoline on a dumpster fire that was already out of control. We were on track to go nowhere as it was. Odds are, they'll recoup a good chunk of the cost in a comp pick the following yr, and they filled a giant hole short-term. The trade is about as risk-averse as you can get for a player of his quality.

 

[TNCowboy]

Did you like the guy that helped us win some super bowls, even though he pissed on the GMs car?

If you've read Jeff Pearlman's books, it's been said that he did a lot worse than that.

 

[Reid1boys]

If you've read Jeff Pearlman's books, it's been said that he did a lot worse than that.

That's my point. From all I've heard, Pickens is actually well liked in the locker room. He's an absolute stud. People taking about the 3rd rd pick, he only had 1 year left... blah, blah, blah. They got this out of the park. If Pickens has 80 catches, 1100 yards and 9 tds
...hes getting signed or tagged.

 

[Rockport]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

Wait, you’ve been crapping on them for not doing anything to make the team better and once they do you immediately crap on it?

 

[TNCowboy]

It’s only a 3rd or 4th if he outplays CD Lamb. It’s likely a 5 or a 6

He can't outplay Lamb, but he's going to fetch a lot more than Lawrence or Jourdan Lewis. Reddick is projected to earn the Jets a 4th, Pickens will get at least that and probably more.

 

[CowboyoWales]

IMO Giving up a third for a risky 1 year rental, and there is no guarantee about how good the comp pick will be, is not what this team should be doing. This team should be acquiring picks not trading them away. It's not like this roster is a WR away from contending. Our defense is still in poor shape. They should be planning now for when we can move on from the Dak era. A 3rd next year would still be on his rookie deal depending when they cut ties with Dak.

But doesnt this move (along with Booker and Blue and New HC) allow us to evaluate Dak, WITH NO EXCUSES?
We either set a foundation for 2026, or we break it up, at which time we re-coup something for Pickens.

 

[youngjerryjones]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

This is why you guys will Forever complain. I’ve been busy but i will do a film room to back up my thoughts.

- zero risk trade, doesn’t work out likely recoup a 4th to 5th at worst for a comp pick - so your complaint about paying too much is not valid.

- contract offer from dallas will be less given state tax and endorsements, will be his decision to remain a cowboy

- automatic upgrade from WR2 and brandon cooks

- makes the offense instantly better, best deep catching WR since entering the NFL, and top 3 in catching balls that should be incomplete

- for everyone complaining around his catch percentage - what do you expect with fields, pickett, and old russ who can barely throw the rock.

FANTASTIC LOW RISK TRADE from our FO

 

[Reid1boys]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

He didn't want to negotiate with steelers for good reason. They have no qb. He wasn't happy with that situation and it isn't getting better anytime soon.

He was fined for his expletive...if he was fined for saying Jesus loves you on his eye black, would that be better? Jim McMahon used to basically do the same thing. Who cares? I don't.

He is a head case? And Randy Moss was a pot head. How'd it work out skipping moss for that avg defensive player we took instead?

How will we ever survive giving up a 5th? Do me a favor and go look back at our last 10 5th rd picks and start naming difference makers.

Steelers found an anxious taker? He'll yea they did, because we got the most talented wr that was remotely possible for us to get. Not a single wr that we had a chance to get is as good or young and cheap as Pickens. So yea, I'm damn glad we had an anxious taker.

You insinuate the mighty steelers took us to the cleaners. How long has it been since the steelers have won a playoff game? We may be more than a player away...but we are clearly one less player away.

 

[Reid1boys]

But doesnt this move (along with Booker and Blue and New HC) allow us to evaluate Dak, WITH NO EXCUSES?
We either set a foundation for 2026, or we break it up, at which time we re-coup something for Pickens.

They broke it up last off season. We now have a YOUNG line, young receivers, what more you think they are breaking up?

 

[rocknrobcowboy]

Not only are we giving up a 3rd and a 5th next year but we basically are signing him for only one season. On a team that isn’t one player away.

His rookie deal runs out and why Steelers traded him as he seems unwilling to negotiate. On top of that he’s a head case. His emotions are difficult to keep in check.

He was fined for using an expletive on his eye black against the Cowboys. He also drew wide spread criticism in 2023 for what could generously be described as the attentive downfield blocking for his teammates.

Considering his volatility, the Steelers didn’t seem interested in signing Pickens to a contract extension running out of patience for the talented but mercurial former 2nd round pick. A 3rd and 5th looks like they found an anxious taker.

Hey Man This Is 2025 26 Season

 

[CowboyoWales]

They broke it up last off season. We now have a YOUNG line, young receivers, what more you think they are breaking up?

If you followed what I was replying to, Dak.

 

[KMY_Amber]

Cowboys need wayyy more talent to compete and make a playoff run, so Pickens is worth the risk...and it's not even that much of a risk, even if it's only a year.

Talent-wise, Pickens is the best #2 WR the Cowboys have had in a long time. Should be harder to double-team CD now, and this move likely improves the running game as well (harder to stack the box).

We need more talent injection, not less.