Could the Cowboys Draft a WR in Round 1 Despite George Pickens' Future?

Cowboys Face Tough Decision on George Pickens, First-Round WR Drafting

The Dallas Cowboys have made it clear they won’t negotiate a long-term deal with Pro Bowl wide receiver George Pickens in 2026, leaving him to play under the franchise tag. This decision could force Pickens into seeking a trade, followed by a new contract. Meanwhile, the Cowboys face a critical need to improve their defense, which ranked last in the NFL by surrendering a team-record 511 points in 2023.

The Cowboys also hold two first-round draft picks—12th and 20th overall—raising questions about whether they might use one to address their offense, despite their defensive struggles.

Jerry Jones: Offense Still in Play for First-Round Picks

"That's alive and well. Given the right circumstances, you have to look at offense."

— Jerry Jones, via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

In 2020, the Cowboys defied convention by selecting CeeDee Lamb at No. 17 despite pressing defensive needs. Lamb has since become one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, outperforming most of the defensive players drafted after him. Only Patrick Queen has made a Pro Bowl among those defenders.

This year, the Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate are among the wide receivers listed among the team’s top-30 pre-draft visitors, making them potential targets at those spots.

Stephen Jones: Best Player on the Board Guides Draft Strategy

"That’s all part of the global picture. Certainly, you’re always looking at that. It’s just like we did when we took CeeDee Lamb. We had some really good receivers on this team, but we took him. It would certainly be no different as we look at the board and our number gets called to pick, and we’ll make that decision at that point. We’re certainly not opposed to taking the best player on our board. That’s usually where we’ve had our most success is doing that."

— Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President, Dallas Cowboys, via Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press

Stephen Jones emphasized that the team prioritizes selecting the best available player, regardless of position. He cited the Lamb selection as a prime example of their approach, noting that the decision has proven successful.

When asked whether the Cowboys would inform Pickens if they draft a wide receiver, Stephen Jones declined to provide specifics.

"We don't want to get into the weeds like that today. We'll have a lot of options, and we'll obviously address those types of situations if they happen to come about. Certainly we go over all our contingencies and how we would handle something or what we would do. But to get into the detail of that, I don't think it's productive today."

Key Takeaways for Cowboys Fans

• The Cowboys will not negotiate a long-term deal with George Pickens in 2026, leaving him on the franchise tag.
• Dallas holds the 12th and 20th picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, fueling speculation about a first-round WR selection.
• Jerry Jones has not ruled out drafting a wide receiver early, despite defensive needs.
• CeeDee Lamb’s 2020 selection serves as a precedent for taking the best player available, regardless of position.
• Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Carnell Tate (Ohio State) are among the WR prospects the Cowboys are evaluating.