ESPN: TOP 25 free agents early rankings and predictions

[Hawkeye0202]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...25-predictions-buzz-hendrickson-jones-pickens

2026 NFL free agency: Early top-25 ranking and predictions​

4. George Pickens, WR​

Current team: Dallas Cowboys
2025 salary: $3.7 million
Age entering 2026 season: 25

What he brings: With 12 receptions of 20 or more yards (third most in the league), Pickens has the explosive-play ability to flip the field. Plus, his six touchdown receptions are tied for fourth. Splash plays pay. Pickens has also shown three-level route running traits this season in Dallas, boosting his free agent profile even more. -- Bowen

What we're hearing: The Pickens experiment in Dallas has gone swimmingly. He is pacing for 1,400-plus yards and more than 10 touchdowns as the ideal counterpart to CeeDee Lamb. His immense talent -- and the number of teams starved for receiver help -- will drive his value. Multiple league executives believe the inconsistency will be a factor to consider in free agency, but Pickens' results with capable quarterback play around him are undeniable. (The franchise tag -- which would be around $29 million -- could be a backup option for Dallas.) -- Fowler

 

[Havic]

Better sign him, lamb is having a rough season and cannot be trusted on (drops) or off the field being hammered on game day

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Better sign him, lamb is having a rough season and cannot be trusted on or off the field being hammered on game day

I like lamb but he’s not as confident as he pretends . He lets doubt creep in quickly it seems


He’s tough physically tho.

Pickens looks like the better player. Pickens looks like maybe the best receiver in the league this year

 

[Havic]

I like lamb but he’s not as confident as he pretends . He lets doubt creep in quickly it seems


He’s tough physically tho.

Pickens looks like the better player. Pickens looks like maybe the best receiver in the league this year

He is smooth and can adjust / drag his feet for the catch like he is on ice skates

 

[Hawkeye19]

I would go “all in” and sign him and look to make a push for a SB the next 3 years.

You have saved the cap space for an “opportune moment.” This is it. The OL has been invested in. Now you have a centerpiece on D to build around.

The QB isn’t getting younger. Go all in and sign key guys and pay the piper in 2029 and maximize your chances now

 

[Havic]

I would go “all in” and sign him and look to make a push for a SB the next 3 years.

You have saved the cap space for an “opportune moment.” This is it. The OL has been invested in. Now you have a centerpiece on D to build around.

The QB isn’t getting younger. Go all in and sign key guys and pay the piper in 2029 and maximize your chances now

I agree. Next year has a chance to be a special season. Push dead money into future years, be in cap hell, I really don’t care, have to be all in next year

 

[Hawkeye19]

I agree. Next year has a chance to be a special season. Push dead money into future years, be in cap hell, I really don’t care, have to be all in next year

They are in decent cap shape right now. Sign Kenny Clark to a team friendly deal in the offseason. Sign Pickens to a 25-30 mil APY deal. Resign Javonte. Give Aubrey a 3-4 year deal.

Cut Diggs, Dono, and Steele.

Sign quality vets at RT, S, CB, #2 RB, DE, WR and a LB (or 2).

Draft impact defensive players in round one and roll

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Better sign him, lamb is having a rough season and cannot be trusted on (drops) or off the field being hammered on game day

rough season? his first game was bad. he was injured for a few games. I get it. but both are top 10 in yards per game. receptions per game...CD gets a lot of attention and he draws the double teams, allowing Pickens to take advantage of his 1-1 situations. when they do leave CD single then he does make plays.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Cowboys are gonna have to make Pickens the highest paid receiver in the league.

 

[JW82]

I would go “all in” and sign him and look to make a push for a SB the next 3 years.

You have saved the cap space for an “opportune moment.” This is it. The OL has been invested in. Now you have a centerpiece on D to build around.

The QB isn’t getting younger. Go all in and sign key guys and pay the piper in 2029 and maximize your chances now

If I were Dak I would make sure JJ knows I'd be willing to move money around or take a smaller base to keep GP for the next few years. So they can also keep the DT's on the team. Having 3/5's of the Oline and possibly 4 if Thomas takes over a RT on rookie deals helps.

 

[boysfanindc]

Cut Diggs and Steele.

Sign Pickens, J Williams, Aubrey and Jalen Phillips.

Draft Jermod McCoy CB, Spencer Fano OT, Anthony Hill Jr LB, Jalon Kilgore S

And go to the SB.

 

[Mr_437]

Pickens is going to get a boatload of money, he's a topend WR1 hitting the market at 25...that doesn't usually happen. Only question for Jerry is do you keep or flip GP.

 

[DStar22]

I would go “all in” and sign him and look to make a push for a SB the next 3 years.

You have saved the cap space for an “opportune moment.” This is it. The OL has been invested in. Now you have a centerpiece on D to build around.

The QB isn’t getting younger. Go all in and sign key guys and pay the piper in 2029 and maximize your chances now

I'm with you. It looks like we might have the pieces to work with and trying the same old draft a team only to the lowest common denominator crap hasn't ever worked.

 

[Loso86]

Better sign him, lamb is having a rough season and cannot be trusted on (drops) or off the field being hammered on game day

Sad thing he isn't having a rough season at all just not as good as we are use to

 

[WillieBeamen]

Better sign him, lamb is having a rough season and cannot be trusted on (drops) or off the field being hammered on game day

LOL

This site is full of comedians. Now Pickens has become this big trustworthy guy and the Lamb, who hasnt had any issues for 5 years before this, is untrustworthy

 

[WillieBeamen]

If we move on from Clark, bring me Travis Jones please

 

[Creeper]

I don't mind Jerry paying Pickens, but not at the expense of the defense. I'd rather have a strong defense that keeps teams from scoring than a explosive offense that has to outscore other teams. The Cowboys Have no day 2 draft picks this year so they have to do something spectacular on day 1.

 

[CowboyoWales]

I would go “all in” and sign him and look to make a push for a SB the next 3 years.

You have saved the cap space for an “opportune moment.” This is it. The OL has been invested in. Now you have a centerpiece on D to build around.

The QB isn’t getting younger. Go all in and sign key guys and pay the piper in 2029 and maximize your chances now

In a way Jerry's been blindsided by a decent trade.......there's no way ANYONE's going to accept Pickens not being a Cowboy in 2026.

 

[DStar22]

LOL

This site is full of comedians. Now Pickens has become this big trustworthy guy and the Lamb, who hasnt had any issues for 5 years before this, is untrustworthy

Lambs not completely untrustworthy, Pickens just may be better. We need them both for a SB run.

It's time to try , at least. if it blows us up then we were going to blow up anyway within a few years with Dk getting ol and needing a replacement.

THIS is our shot.

 

[Kwyn]

They are in decent cap shape right now. Sign Kenny Clark to a team friendly deal in the offseason. Sign Pickens to a 25-30 mil APY deal. Resign Javonte. Give Aubrey a 3-4 year deal.

Cut Diggs, Dono, and Steele.

Sign quality vets at RT, S, CB, #2 RB, DE, WR and a LB (or 2).

Draft impact defensive players in round one and roll

I think it’s gonna be routh.

We are in cap hell next year and bringing in a bunch oof quality fee agents seems like a real long shot.

We are going to need multiple restructures and cuts just to get under the cap with the 44 players we are committed to, let alone signing any of our own free agents.