105.3 the fan: Do teams really want Pickens?

[Verdict]

I think teams want him just not with both the salary he wants and the draft picks the Cowboys would want in return, at least not right now.

Being this close to the draft the the smart strategy for even any teams interested would be to wait until after the draft.

That way they can see what they have after the draft and if they have more pressing areas or if they still need help at receiver.

If so, they would then end up trading draft pick(s) in the 2027 draft where if they traded with the Cowboys now the Cowboys would almost surely require at least one high 2026 pick in the deal.

I think right now it's a holding pattern for both sides and other teams.

Yes. This is the right answer. The same way that the Cowboys are not stressing over linebackers.

The Cowboys will get what they need in the draft, add in roster cutdowns after the draft, or trade for one after the draft.

Linebackers who would not be traded by their team now will be available after the draft, due to roster additions. This seems to be a talented and deep linebacker class.

 

[Verdict]

Yes, this is the most likely and logical strategy from other teams.
If any teams were interested, we would have heard some buzz about it. Even if speculation from those teams local media outlets.
We have no heard any buzz from the local Dallas media.

Teams may be more afraid of Pickens’ “antics” than Dallas is/was.

 

[Verdict]

Which is part of why Dallas should just give him a contract now. That allows them to:

A) Reduce his cap hit significantly this year.
B) Avoid having to give a much larger contract next year, when Pickens has even more leverage.

Using round numbers, paying him $40m now might be a bit of an overpay, but it's better than paying him $45 or $47 after next year.

I don’t think Dallas wants Pickens “that” bad.

 

[Verdict]

I was surprised with a recent thread around in which so many people actually thought a team would give up multiple premium picks AND sign him to the money he wants right away…..because he is better than Waddle.

The contract situation MATTERS. It isn’t fair to the players that are indeed tagged, but this is the deal that the union agreed to. It can be eliminated in the next round of CBA talks if they so wish, and they can give in elsewhere. If not, then this is the rule, and while I don’t agree with operating this way for a few reasons, Dallas is taking advantage. They may even do it twice.

From Pickens point of view, he shouldn’t complain. He can play two years on the tag, make 60 million, then hit free agency at age 27 when salaries for top WR are easily into the 40s per. He just needs to not get hurt. The numbers will be there with Prescott.

Pickens is one of the players that, rightly or wrongly, may not get the interest he might have received otherwise due to his perception from his time in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were happy to let him go for a third round pick and teams haven’t suddenly forgotten about that.

Basically Pittsburgh decided to let him go early for about what they figured they would receive as a comp pick. They had no intention of paying Pickens on a second contract.

When Pittsburgh made Pickens available for a 3rd and change Dallas was the high bidder. Think about that. Other teams wanted no part of that. That’s very telling about other teams’ interest, or lack thereof, in Pickens.

 

[jazzcat22]

Pickens is one of the players that, rightly or wrongly, may not get the interest he might have received otherwise due to his perception from his time in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were happy to let him go for a third round pick and teams haven’t suddenly forgotten about that.

Basically Pittsburgh decided to let him go early for about what they figured they would receive as a comp pick. They had no intention of paying Pickens on a second contract.

When Pittsburgh made Pickens available for a 3rd and change Dallas was the high bidder. Think about that. Other teams wanted no part of that. That’s very telling about other teams’ interest, or lack thereof, in Pickens.

And other teams missed out.

 

[fivetwos]

Pickens is one of the players that, rightly or wrongly, may not get the interest he might have received otherwise due to his perception from his time in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were happy to let him go for a third round pick and teams haven’t suddenly forgotten about that.

Basically Pittsburgh decided to let him go early for about what they figured they would receive as a comp pick. They had no intention of paying Pickens on a second contract.

When Pittsburgh made Pickens available for a 3rd and change Dallas was the high bidder. Think about that. Other teams wanted no part of that. That’s very telling about other teams’ interest, or lack thereof, in Pickens.

Excellent point.

 

[jazzcat22]

Pickens is one of the players that, rightly or wrongly, may not get the interest he might have received otherwise due to his perception from his time in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were happy to let him go for a third round pick and teams haven’t suddenly forgotten about that.

Basically Pittsburgh decided to let him go early for about what they figured they would receive as a comp pick. They had no intention of paying Pickens on a second contract.

When Pittsburgh made Pickens available for a 3rd and change Dallas was the high bidder. Think about that. Other teams wanted no part of that. That’s very telling about other teams’ interest, or lack thereof, in Pickens.

Excellent point.

Means nothing.
It shows Dallas knows talent.

 

[LouBrown]

You mean just like every other player?


Says who? Apparently you’re confusing your opinion with facts.

The “pointless strategy” would be overspending on offense, believing that you have to pay two receivers at the top of the market to be successful. That’s patently false.

No, because the vast majority of other players in the league have cost-comparable replacements.

Says the entire history of player acquisition. Unless you're picking in the top 10 or just spending $40m on another player, you aren't getting the same talent level.

You don't have to, but there is no point in creating a hole for no reason and there is even less point in handcuffing your salary cap for two years because you're afraid of what you might pay in 4 or 5. There is nothing that the Cowboys can't do, as far as player acquisition on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[LouBrown]

I don’t think Dallas wants Pickens “that” bad.

Doesn't matter. It is the smart math.

If they don't want to pay him, then they should have already traded him.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Totally agree, my fear is...That's my big fear with him

Echo in here?

 

[J-man]

Some of y'all have a very negative view of the tag that I don't think is held by the players.
They get fully guaranteed, top 5 average $ at their position. Regardless of their level of play, play time or injuries. Then immediately after the season they are a FA again where they get the option of singing a long term deal or tagged again for 20% more guaranteed $. If it happens a third time it jumps to 44% more guaranteed $.
This isn't a bad thing at all. How many players in the league would love to get paid fully guaranteed top 5 $ at their position, at the very least, for 2 or 3 years of their time in the league?
ALL OF THEM.

 

[Stash]

No, because the vast majority of other players in the league have cost-comparable replacements.

Or smart teams actually acquire bargains. See Seattle.

Says the entire history of player acquisition. Unless you're picking in the top 10 or just spending $40m on another player, you aren't getting the same talent level.

That argument makes zero sense. It suggests that draft order dictates talent acquired.

You don't have to, but there is no point in creating a hole for no reason and there is even less point in handcuffing your salary cap for two years because you're afraid of what you might pay in 4 or 5. There is nothing that the Cowboys can't do, as far as player acquisition on the defensive side of the ball.

The reason is cap management and return on investment.

 

[Reid1boys]

A full, productive season won’t get him a deal from the Dallas. It takes more than one year for a player to prove himself to the Cowboys.

pull your head out of the sand and see what is going on. What the Cowboys did was PERFECT. They didnt lock him in. They are allowing him to go work out a deal with other teams. And if he doesnt, hes locked in for high 20 something million which is an absolute bargain, and they are free to try to get the long term deal done in the next few months. Absolutely perfect by the FO.

 

[LouBrown]

Or smart teams actually acquire bargains. See Seattle.

That argument makes zero sense. It suggests that draft order dictates talent acquired.


The reason is cap management and return on investment.

No, they pay max dollars for a WR (JSN) and then both trade for and pay additional WRs (Shaheed).

It does lol. You either draft high or pay big dollars to FAs. "Get lucky in the 4th round" is a stupid strategy.

Your plan is the worst version of cap management lol.

I can't debate with you, there's no logic other than "I don't want to pay WRs."

 

[Stash]

No, they pay max dollars for a WR (JSN) and then both trade for and pay additional WRs (Shaheed).

They won the Super Bowl before they paid either guy.

It does lol. You either draft high or pay big dollars to FAs. "Get lucky in the 4th round" is a stupid strategy.

Your suggestions are far worse.

Your plan is the worst version of cap management lol.

I can't debate with you, there's no logic other than "I don't want to pay WRs."

Glad to hear it. Your arguments are a waste of time.

 

[KingCorcoran]

pull your head out of the sand and see what is going on. What the Cowboys did was PERFECT. They didnt lock him in. They are allowing him to go work out a deal with other teams. And if he doesnt, hes locked in for high 20 something million which is an absolute bargain, and they are free to try to get the long term deal done in the next few months. Absolutely perfect by the FO.

Promising to pay a guy $27.3 million for the season, all against the salary cap, and he can show up at his leisure and the team’s only recourse is to release him. Just quality GM work. “Absolutely perfect”.

 

[LouBrown]

They won the Super Bowl before they paid either guy.


Your suggestions are far worse.


Glad to hear it. Your arguments are a waste of time.

Oh so they aren't trying to win again?

Nope. Save cap for 3 years and not create a hole in the roster.

You have no actual plan other than "don't sign good player because we can get lucky!!!!" It's stupid.

 

[Stash]

Oh so they aren't trying to win again?

Nope. Save cap for 3 years and not create a hole in the roster.

You have no actual plan other than "don't sign good player because we can get lucky!!!!" It's stupid.

I thought you were done?

Your last post said so.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

when pickens came here he was pretty much only a lot of potential with character issues

he then went out and had a near ALL Pro season and mostly showed good character.

If he is able to do it again, he can then get a mega contract. This might be his long term plan.

Pickens also disappeared down the stretch so it’s a trade off


That’s an investment nobody is willing to make, to guarantee salary to that guy when he’s told you over and over he’s not your number 1 reliable target. He’s Dennis Rodman

 

[atlantacowboy]

Pickens also disappeared down the stretch so it’s a trade off


That’s an investment nobody is willing to make, to guarantee salary to that guy when he’s told you over and over he’s not your number 1 reliable target. He’s Dennis Rodman

Rodman has 5 rings and is in the NBA HOF. Pickens didn't disappear. When CD is healthy, that's who Dak looks for. It's not like he was dropping balls.