If we got a 1st and a 3rd for Pickens

[starfan1]

These guys want to get rid of proven talented players for a few draft picks for Jerry to waste.

Best player he has drafted in the last decade he traded in 4 years because he got his feelings hurt.

probably lucked into him as we wanted corner that year

 

[Coogiguy03]

Remember what Stephen said about tagging him........." we just couldn't take a chance on losing him." Meaning there is little or no doubt in his mind another team will try to sign him to an offer sheet that includes TWO 1st round picks.

Uh oh!!!!!!!!! I'll take the 2 firsts!!!

How about that Osa trade?

jerry's a LEGEND!!!!!!!!!

 

[kramskoi]

If a team is inclined to acquire a talented, albeit expensive, wide receiver it may be prudent to wait until after June 1 and make a run at Brown. He’ll cost less in compensation than Pickens, and could probably be had for, at best, a couple of 2nds in 2027 & 2028. Likely not even that. And his contract has an out after the 2027 season.

Certainly no team is trading significant draft capital for Pickens in addition to having to sign him to a $35 million AAV deal with massive guarantees.

The Eagles are in a pickle. Trading him before June 1 leaves them with a significant cap hit. 43 million or so iirc. So it's probably not happening before then.

 

[diamonddelts]

Would the offense be better or worse if we used the 1st from Pickens to draft a top Left Tackle and a 3rd on the best available WR?

Then we could still use our other 2 first on defense.

This is why the Cowboys are by far the lowest IQ fanbase of any professional sports team.

 

[atlantacowboy]

I think the combined AAV of Smith and Brown is about 57 million/yr. But the cap issues associated with Pickens really don't come into play until three years from now. The restructures in the interim would reduce his salary to league minimum if the Cowboys desire. Where it gets tricky is years 3 and 4...where I expect the Cowboys to add void years to reduce the impact on cap space. Moreover, four years from now the cap ceiling might be 80 - 100 million higher than it is now. I don't see signing Pickens as a cause for alarm...if the contract is done right...possibly with an escape clause.

And thats what we will probably do. I fully expect Jerry to pay Pickens.

As of 2025, AJ and Devonte had contracts that were not even close to the top of the market. So, that makes a big difference. I'm just looking around the league and the only team with 2 top paid WRs is Cincy. Is that really the model here? Lets face it, this is Jerry Jones. He's not capable of carving a new path to the super bowl. So, why aren't we copying what is currently working?

 

[Jarv]

Worse this year.

But your proposal is something that won't ever happen.

It was actually a question.

 

[KingCorcoran]

The Eagles are in a pickle. Trading him before June 1 leaves them with a significant cap hit. 43 million or so iirc. So it's probably not happening before then.

Yes, and I think they realize they’re not getting all that much in return for him. And that may effect interest in Pickens until it’s too late to trade him at all.

 

[kramskoi]

And thats what we will probably do. I fully expect Jerry to pay Pickens.

As of 2025, AJ and Devonte had contracts that were not even close to the top of the market. So, that makes a big difference. I'm just looking around the league and the only team with 2 top paid WRs is Cincy. Is that really the model here? Lets face it, this is Jerry Jones. He's not capable of carving a new path to the super bowl. So, why aren't we copying what is currently working?

I agree that it isn't ideal...but it is what it is at this point. I feel nervous about taking an all-pro weapon away from Prescott. I guess I have PTSD from the 2022 playoffs. The Cowboys are roughly where the Lions are right now with St. Brown and Williams (56.5 million combined). Of course that changes with a new contract for Pickens but it's not like the Cowboys are the only team going double-barrel on wideouts. It's just the degree. But no one could foresee that Pickens would have the type of year he had.

 

[kramskoi]

Yes, and I think they realize they’re not getting all that much in return for him. And that may effect interest in Pickens until it’s too late to trade him at all.

And you have another problem. Pickens has to sign the tag to be traded. He doesn't have to before July 15. I just don't think that you will be able to do anything with Pickens before the draft. That means any compensation lands next year for the team that wants him. I also don't think he will fetch what some people think he will. The potential salary is just too high. And it's far too early. Jones and company aren't really talking much at this point (at least according to reports). Moreover, they are notoriously bad for doing anything fast when it comes to big contracts.

 

[Whirlwin]

Saquon was effective because of the passing game, not the other way around.

Lol

 

[Whirlwin]

Saquon was effective because of the passing game, not the other way around.

Everything they did was because of the run game.

 

[KingCorcoran]

And you have another problem. Pickens has to sign the tag to be traded. He doesn't have to before July 15. I just don't think that you will be able to do anything with Pickens before the draft. That means any compensation lands next year for the team that wants him. I also don't think he will fetch what some people think he will. The potential salary is just too high. And it's far too early. Jones and company aren't really talking much at this point (at least according to reports). Moreover, they are notoriously bad for doing anything fast when it comes to big contracts.

I’m afraid I have to agree with your assessment. Pickens will show up before the first regular season game, sign the tag, play, and get paid a little over $1.5 million per week for 18 weeks. Not that bad a situation, all things considered.

 

[kramskoi]

Everything they did was because of the run game.

Their passing offense was near dead last during the Superbowl run (29th in 2024)...even with Kellen Moore in the house. Their best offense was in 2022 (9th). 16th in 2023, *29th in 2024 (Brown and Smith both missed four games that year), 23rd in 2025. Stale offense has pretty much been the narrative since 2023.

 

[kramskoi]

I’m afraid I have to agree with your assessment. Pickens will show up before the first regular season game, sign the tag, play, and get paid a little over $1.5 million per week for 18 weeks. Not that bad a situation, all things considered.

Right...it's just going to leave 10 - 15 million on the table as far as cap space. Not ideal for all the players they need to revamp the defense. Every dollar counts. People are railing against Jones but they REALLY are up against it if they don't restructure Quinnen Williams and do the deals with Pickens and Aubrey. I think cap space is down to 14.5 million today. I think everything is now accounted for according to OTC.

 

[LouBrown]

Everything they did was because of the run game.

No, you have it backwards.

They forced teams into playing 2-high and then Saquon ran into light boxes all the time. It was the exact opposite of the environment he had on the Giants the previous year.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Right...it's just going to leave 10 - 15 million on the table as far as cap space. Not ideal for all the players they need to revamp the defense. Every dollar counts. People are railing against Jones but they REALLY are up against it if they don't restructure Quinnen Williams and do the deals with Pickens and Aubrey. I think cap space is down to 14.5 million today. I think everything is now accounted for according to OTC.

Tags and tenders are a double-edged sword. Cut both ways. Cowboys are fortunate to have such a shrewd General Manager.

 

[visionary]

Would the offense be better or worse if we used the 1st from Pickens to draft a top Left Tackle and a 3rd on the best available WR?

Then we could still use our other 2 first on defense.

Would be a smart move so this FO would never do it

The sheer stupidity of this FO is well represented on CZ by blind homer posters like ThemarathonContinues who keep wanting us to pay Pickens 35 million per year

 

[Whirlwin]

Their passing offense was near dead last during the Superbowl run (29th in 2024)...even with Kellen Moore in the house. Their best offense was in 2022 (9th). 16th in 2023, *29th in 2024 (Brown and Smith both missed four games that year), 23rd in 2025. Stale offense has pretty much been the narrative since 2023.

That’s why they were nothing without their running game

 

[Whirlwin]

No, you have it backwards.

They forced teams into playing 2-high and then Saquon ran into light boxes all the time. It was the exact opposite of the environment he had on the Giants the previous year.

Their passing game was atrocious. What were you watching my friend?
They use the running game to try and open up the passing game. That’s why Brown was upset all season.

 

[32BellyOption]

Would the offense be better or worse if we used the 1st from Pickens to draft a top Left Tackle and a 3rd on the best available WR?

Then we could still use our other 2 first on defense.

Offense is better with Pickens. Unless someone is giving us two 1’s I’m keeping him.