Cowboys Unlikely to Target 'Surprising' George Pickens Replacement

Dallas has more pressing defensive needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft

Apr. 8, 2026 at 5:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Dallas Cowboys football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, silver, and white shapes, capturing the strategic complexity of the team's offseason decisions.The Dallas Cowboys' offense faces a complex defensive puzzle as the team weighs its draft priorities.Pickens Today

Despite speculation, the Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to use one of their two first-round draft picks on a wide receiver to potentially replace franchise-tagged star George Pickens. The team has more pressing defensive needs and already has a solid No. 3 option in Ryan Flournoy, who emerged as a reliable target in 2025.

Why it matters

The Cowboys have made it clear they are not inclined to negotiate a long-term deal with Pickens while he is on the franchise tag. However, using a valuable first-round pick on a receiver would be a surprising and questionable move when the team's defense was a major weakness last season.

The details

While the prospect of the Cowboys adding another top receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb and Pickens would be enticing, the team is expected to focus on upgrading its defense in the draft, likely targeting an edge rusher and defensive back with its two first-round picks. The team also already has a promising young receiver in Flournoy, who had a breakout 2025 campaign as the No. 3 option.

  • The Cowboys have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal with Pickens while he is on the franchise tag.

The players

George Pickens

A star wide receiver for the Cowboys who is currently playing on the franchise tag after a 1,426-yard season in 2025.

Ryan Flournoy

A 2024 sixth-round draft pick who emerged as a reliable No. 3 receiver for the Cowboys in 2025, recording 40 catches for 475 yards.

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The takeaway

While the Cowboys could theoretically target a receiver as insurance against potentially losing Pickens in free agency next year, using a valuable first-round pick on that position would be a questionable move when the team has more pressing defensive needs to address. The emergence of Flournoy also provides the Cowboys with a solid No. 3 option, reducing the urgency to find Pickens' replacement in the draft.