Dallas Cowboys could trade WR George Pickens for a 2nd round pick

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 25: George Pickens #3 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

According to NFL Network's lead league insider Ian Rapoport, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to place the franchise tag on star wide receiver George Pickens. However, instead of keeping him or signing him to an extension, Rapoport mentioned that they could trade him for a second-round pick.

From The Insiders with @MikeGarafolo: We break down some of the top free agents, looking at Kenneth Walker, George Pickens, and Trey Hendrickson. pic.twitter.com/VXSYtK0H1n

- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 13, 2026

So, with it being what if" season, let's explore whether or not the Denver Broncos should make this hypothetical trade.

With the Broncos being in a Super Bowl window, many fans want the team to go all-in on surrounding quarterback Bo Nix with weapons. He was throwing touchdowns to Michael Bandy and Lil'Jordan Humphrey in the playoffs. That's not going to cut it, and the team needs to surround Nix with as much talent as possible.

Pickens would be a nice get for the Broncos. Nix is at his best throwing go-balls" to wide receiver Courtland Sutton and letting the big wide receiver go make the play. Pickens is that type of player, while being a little more explosive than the veteran Sutton. At 6-3, 200 pounds, Pickens has the size that Payton likes to have at wide receiver, and he would give this offense a much-needed talented pass catcher for quarterback Bo Nix. If all it would cost is a second-round pick (again, hypothetical), a late second-round pick for a talent like Pickens would be worth it.

However, the price tag will not be cheap. The Cowboys plan on franchise tagging Pickens, which will give him a nearly $30 million dollar cap hit. Now, the team making this hypothetical trade would likely work out an extension with Pickens, but he would still be demanding top wide receiver money. His talent would make it worth it; however, his reported off-the-field/diva attitude would make an investment like this risky for the Broncos. How close their locker room was this past season was a big part of their success, and adding someone who could potentially mess that up may not be the way to go.

However, the talent is enticing and that is where the debate begins. So, I ask you, Broncos Country. If all it would cost to acquire wide receiver George Picks was a 2nd round pick and a big money deal, would you do it?