If you are drafting Pickens replacement, is it better to do it now or next year?

[HungryLion]

He already is free to negotiate with any team for a contract. That’s how the non-exclusive franchise tag works. Are you suggesting Jerry allow Pickens and Mulugheta to negotiate the trade deal with the other team, too? I think they’d like that.

So then what’s the point of your original question. If you knew they could already negotiate contracts with other teams? That’s how a long term deal could get done with another team.

The thread is about our opinions. So I gave mine about what would be best for the cowboys.

Obviously none of us can force a player to sign any contract.

 

[Chasing6]

No, he can’t refuse a trade, but he can refuse to sign a deal which would dissuade any team from trading for him. Or trading much of anything for him.

Refusing to sign the extension will cancel the trade. 1 + 1 = 2.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Refusing to sign the extension will cancel the trade. 1 + 1 = 2.

Since Pickens and Mulugheta must negotiate the extension with a team why would they do that and refuse to sign it? And he could be traded if he signed the franchise tag before and the trade occurs before July 15 sans any extension. But what would a team trade for a receiver who will be a free agent in 10 months?

 

[big dog cowboy]

With the statement that there will be no extension for Pickens, do you feel it's better to draft his replacement now, or next year?

Neither. Fix the damn defense.

 

[Chasing6]

Since Pickens and Mulugheta must negotiate the extension with a team why would they do that and refuse to sign it? And he could be traded if he signed the franchise tag before and the trade occurs before July 15 sans any extension. But what would a team trade for a receiver who will be a free agent in 10 months?

Multiple hurdles to jump over to complete this type of trade and it will not be done in an 8 minute window during the draft.

It would have to be worked out prior to the draft and the target player would still have to be on the board to be drafted.

 

[Kwyn]

Now. Don’t let it linger like we did with Micah

Trade him and draft a WR.

 

[jujoboys]

There may not be. In that case the cowboys should sign him. Keeping him on the tag is kinda stupid.

If he is wanting $40 million a year or something crazy like that it isn’t stupid. $27 million is cheap for a WR of his caliber. If he lights it up again this year then you decide whether to resign him or trade him prior to the draft next year. I think we are more likely to get trade activity on him if he has 2 great years in a row and behaves himself for 2 straight years. His agent wasn’t happy with Parsons getting $40.5 million a year with Dallas so I am sure he is asking for crazy numbers for Pickens.

 

[GMO415]

If Jordan Tyson is the best they got this year, then hell no!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

With the statement that there will be no extension for Pickens, do you feel it's better to draft his replacement now, or next year?

I am glad you asked.
With our Swiss cheese defence, we need to draft for the D with our two 1st round picks and our 3rd.
The O can have their picks 4th round and on.

 

[bleachedwheat]

Improve the D this year. The rookies will have a year to improve while the offence is still cooking with CD and Pickens. Once the D starts to come along, then you trade Pickens and draft a WR high. Rookie wideouts have shown they can produce right away and they won't have to be the #1 guy.

Tyson is the best WR this year, next years draft has some talent. It's early but this is how I would have them ranked, the top 5 wideouts this year included for comparison.

1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
2. Omarion Miller, Arizona State... transfer
3. Cam Coleman, Texas... transfer
4. Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
5. Nick Marsh, Indiana... transfer
6. Ryan Williams, Alabama
7. Makai Lemon, USC
8. Isaiah Sategna, Oklahoma
9. Carnell Tate, Ohio State
10. TJ Moore, Clemson
11. Charlie Becker, Indiana
12. Ryan Wingo, Texas
13. Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
14. Carlos Hernandez, Wake Forest
15. Ian Strong, Calfornia... transfer
16. Braylon Staley, Tennessee
17. Bryant Wesco Jr., Clemson
18. KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
19. KJ Duff, Rutgers
20. DeAndre Moore Jr., Colorado... transfer

 

[Verdict]

I like Pickens a lot but having him still only translated to 7 wins - the same as the playoff-less year before. That’s not Pickens fault but his stats were empty calories last year.

Nothing at all against Pickens but he’s going to cost more than this team can afford (or willing to pay) so I would make a trade whike he has max value.

Contrary to what Jerry may believe, WRs aren’t the cornerstone of a championship team. And finding a good #2 behind Lamb is not as difficult as finding great defenders that can transform a team.

Great post Bob.

 

[Bigrandrn]

I would be fine with drafting a wr, only if we traded Pickens for something at least semi quality this year. We didn’t do a ton to fix the D player wise, so if we use one of the firsts on a WR and don’t really do anything else….wont matter if we have 3 receivers of the D still is bottom of the league.

 

[zekecowboy]

I like Pickens a lot but having him still only translated to 7 wins - the same as the playoff-less year before. That’s not Pickens fault but his stats were empty calories last year.

Nothing at all against Pickens but he’s going to cost more than this team can afford (or willing to pay) so I would make a trade whike he has max value.

Contrary to what Jerry may believe, WRs aren’t the cornerstone of a championship team. And finding a good #2 behind Lamb is not as difficult as finding great defenders that can transform a team.

It's hard to win games when Dallas was anywhere from 30th to 32nd ranked defense in 2025.

 

[Bobhaze]

Bob- very hypothetical here by me.

lets say everything came together in the next 24 hours. Both teams on the same page and Pickens as well.

would you trade George P for KC's 2nd rounder? I think its around 40th overall.

Yes, I would do that.

 

[Jarntt]

I like Pickens a lot but having him still only translated to 7 wins - the same as the playoff-less year before. That’s not Pickens fault but his stats were empty calories last year.

Nothing at all against Pickens but he’s going to cost more than this team can afford (or willing to pay) so I would make a trade whike he has max value.

Contrary to what Jerry may believe, WRs aren’t the cornerstone of a championship team. And finding a good #2 behind Lamb is not as difficult as finding great defenders that can transform a team.

Such an unfair and short sighted way to look at it. So trade Dak and CeeDee and Tyler Smith and Overshown and Bailey and the HC amd OC and everyone else also because the team only won 7 games with them? Not to jump on you but it’s just a pet peeve of mine when I keep reading people tying to say things like this about anyone particular player.

Was offense our problem last year even though CeeDee missed some time and was banged up and our OTs were poor? No and Pickens was a massive part of that. What was the biggest difference between our 2024 offense in the games Dak played in and our 2025 offense? Does weakening our offense seem like the way to get better? I just struggle with this whole pervasive mentality that seems to be group think around cowboys social media right now.

Make a decision. Sign him or trade him. This team just can’t make a decision.

 

[Bobhaze]

Such an unfair and short sighted way to look at it. So trade Dak and CeeDee and Tyler Smith and Overshown and Bailey and the HC amd OC and everyone else also because the team only won 7 games with them? Not to jump on you but it’s just a pet peeve of mine when I keep reading people tying to say things like this about anyone particular player.

Was offense our problem last year even though CeeDee missed some time and was banged up and our OTs were poor? No and Pickens was a massive part of that. What was the biggest difference between our 2024 offense in the games Dak played in and our 2025 offense? Does weakening our offense seem like the way to get better? I just struggle with this whole pervasive mentality that seems to be group think around cowboys social media right now.

Make a decision. Sign him or trade him. This team just can’t make a decision.

J I 100% agree with your last sentence. This FO never seems to make a decision and move forward. And it is killing this team’s progress.

I hear you about not blaming individual players. My point is having George Pickens as good as he was last year - IMO - will not determine this team’s ultimate improvement. I believe if trading GP gives us a better chance to add more overall talent, let’s do it.

This team was so bad on defense the last two years, no offense could save it. If we can get way better on defense, and perhaps add a drafted WR after trading Pickens, I believe we can get better in the short and long run.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

I honestly don't care what we do with Pickens. One good season isn't enough to break the bank on a guy. If we have a top 5 QB, then we should be able to score points with a good #2 WR. This year needs to be all about the defense. But...this is Dallas. Anything is possible.

 

[JoeKing]

You do it now if the right WR falls to you, however I have no problem with waiting to do it next year.

 

[jay94]

Rookies don't always get on year one, depending what happens, I think it would be foolish to write it off this year, especially when you should actually see some good returns if Pickens plays, (he only hurts himself majorly if he doesn't.) There are plenty of scenarios where they would be reaching on a defensive player, if one of the aforementioned players they are targeting falls it's an easy decision.

 

[John813]

All depends on if the Front office is truly using this year as a final test or just want him for a year and then let go.
If they are wanting to see a repeat performance, hold off in theory.

In a perfect world, your defensive wants are there at 12 and 20, and you either try the mid rounds for a WR or wait till next year.
To me, the offense is good enough now. We need the defense to at least be average.