George Pickens Trade Rumors
George Pickens Trade Rumors: Could the Steelers’ Wideout Land with the Dallas Cowboys? The NFL offseason is no stranger to blockbuster trade rumors, and one of the hottest names circulating in recent weeks is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. With the Dallas Cowboys reportedly in the market for a dynamic playmaker to complement star CeeDee Lamb, Pickens’ name has been frequently linked to America’s Team. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the buzz around a potential Pickens-to-Dallas trade has fans and analysts alike speculating about the feasibility, implications, and drama surrounding such a move. The Origin of the Rumors Trade rumors involving George Pickens began to gain traction ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, fueled by the Steelers’ acquisition of veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in a high-profile trade. Pittsburgh sent a second-round pick to Seattle and subsequently signed Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million extension, signaling their commitment to him as the centerpiece of their receiving corps. This move sparked speculation that Pickens, a 2022 second-round pick entering the final year of his rookie contract, could be deemed expendable. The Cowboys, coming off a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024 that snapped a streak of three consecutive playoff appearances, have been vocal about their need to bolster their receiving corps. Despite drafting CeeDee Lamb, one of the league’s premier wideouts, Dallas failed to add significant depth during the 2025 draft, with undrafted free agent Treshon Holden being their only notable addition. This has left the Cowboys searching for a high-caliber No. 2 receiver to pair with Lamb and support quarterback Dak Prescott under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Reports from multiple outlets, including ESPN and The Athletic, confirmed that Dallas inquired about Pickens during the draft, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly stirring the pot during a pre-draft press conference by hinting at potential roster moves. The rumors gained further momentum when Lamb posted a cryptic message on social media, which some interpreted as a nod to Pickens potentially joining the Cowboys. Why Pickens Makes Sense for Dallas At 24 years old, George Pickens is a tantalizing talent with the potential to transform Dallas’ offense. In three seasons with the Steelers, he has recorded 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns across 48 regular-season games, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and make highlight-reel catches. His 2023 campaign, where he posted 1,140 yards, demonstrated his capability as a No. 1 receiver, though his role in Pittsburgh has been complicated by inconsistent quarterback play and the arrival of Metcalf. For the Cowboys, Pickens would represent an immediate upgrade over their current options. Playing alongside Lamb, who commands significant defensive attention, Pickens could exploit single coverage and softer matchups, potentially elevating his production in Dallas’ pass-heavy offense led by Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler. Additionally, Pickens’ $6.75 million rookie contract for 2025 makes him an affordable short-term addition, though his impending free agency and likely demand for a lucrative extension could complicate long-term planning. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has been among those advocating for the trade, noting that Dallas is “desperate for an upgrade in the receivers room” and that Pickens could be the key to returning the Cowboys to playoff contention. Kay argues that the Steelers’ financial commitment to Metcalf and Pickens’ reported frustration with his reduced role make Dallas a “logical spot” for the young receiver. The Case Against the Trade Despite the appeal, there are significant red flags surrounding a potential Pickens trade. The most prominent concern is his off-field behavior and locker room presence. Pickens has been fined 10 times by the NFL in three seasons for various infractions, including taunting, an obscene gesture, and writing “OPEN (EXPLETIVE) ALWAYS” on his eye black during a 2024 game against the Cowboys. His emotional outbursts and reported friction with the Steelers’ coaching staff, including an incident where he arrived late to a Christmas Day game, have raised questions about his maturity. Adding a player with Pickens’ reputation could be risky for a Cowboys team navigating a high-pressure environment. Heavy.com’s analysis urged Dallas to avoid the trade, labeling Pickens a “diva” whose behavioral issues outweigh his on-field contributions. The Cowboys’ front office, known for its reluctance to invest heavily in players with character concerns, may hesitate to part with significant draft capital for a player who could disrupt team chemistry. Steelers On the Steelers’ side, parting with Pickens is not a straightforward decision. While Metcalf’s arrival has shifted the pecking order, Pittsburgh values Pickens’ talent and sees him as a complement to Metcalf, particularly with the potential addition of a high-profile quarterback like Aaron Rodgers in 2025. Steelers GM Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin have publicly expressed their desire to keep Pickens, with Khan stating, “We’re glad we have George and DK here. I think they’re gonna be exciting for everyone to watch.” Moreover, the Steelers are unlikely to trade Pickens without substantial compensation. Reports suggest Pittsburgh would demand at least a second-round pick, similar to what they received for Chase Claypool in 2022, and possibly more given Pickens’ higher upside. For Dallas, surrendering a high draft pick for a player with one year left on his deal and a history of disciplinary issues may not align with their long-term strategy. The Latest Developments As of May 7, 2025, the Pickens trade rumors have taken a dramatic turn. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Steelers and Cowboys are working to finalize a trade that would send Pickens to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick and a late-round pick swap, with the deal expected to be official soon. This development suggests that Pittsburgh’s stance may have softened, possibly due to ongoing tensions with Pickens or a strategic shift toward building draft capital for a quarterback-heavy 2026 NFL Draft. However, conflicting reports have muddied the waters. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac previously downplayed the rumors, stating there were “no negotiations” with Dallas and that trade talks were overstated.
Trade Deadline Fantasy Impact
Normally the NFL trade deadline passes with little fanfare. That wasn’t the case in 2022. Several blockbuster deals happened. Let’s break down the trade deadline fantasy impact of each deal. Also, don’t forget to check out our updated Week 9 fantasy football rankings. T.J. Hockenson to Minnesota – The deal that got the wild day started was also the most surprising. After losing Irv Smith for likely the rest of the season, the Vikings sent a 2023 second and 2024 third-round pick to the Lions for the 25-year-old Hockenson. Detroit also tossed in a pair of fourth-rounders to make the deal work. This appears to be a lateral move for Hockenson. While Minnesota is clearly a better landing spot, Detroit ranks 7th in passing versus 11th for the Vikings. At best, Hockenson remains third on the target pecking order. However, the volume could slip a bit but Hockenson remains a solid top-10 fantasy option. Nyheim Hines to Buffalo –Hines was traded from the Indianapolis Colts to the Buffalo Bills for Zach Moss and a conditional sixth-round pick, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Moss is signed through 2023, and Hines is under contract for two more seasons at base salaries of $4.45M in 2023 and $5.14M in 2024. Immediate impact: Devin Singletary is the biggest loser of this trade. As Buffalo’s RB1. First, he was RB#28 on the year, averaging 11.1 fantasy points per game in PPR leagues with a 69.8% snap share. Most of his success in 2022 has been in the receiving game. Secondly, Singletary has run 151 routes or 5th most at the running back position. He has had a 55.7% route participation, or 8th most, and he’s seen 12.4% target share, for 14th most at the running back position. Finally, Singletary should be relegated to first and second downs with the occasional target and is immediately an RB3 moving forward. Hines immediately steps into the receiving back role for the Bills. In 2021 he was the 12th most targeted running back and in 2022, is the 16th most targeted back in 2022 despite missing week six and nearly all of week 5 due to a concussion. Also, Hines is a very productive pass catcher. Hine leads the league with an 89.3% catch rate. Also, he is 7th in yards per route run at 2.14, 17th in yards per reception at 7.5, and 11th in the league in receiving yards at the running back position. Conversely, Hines should be considered a high-end RB3 moving forward with RB2 upside every week in one of the most electric offenses in football. Deon Jackson is the biggest winner of this trade. With Jonathan Taylor banged up, Jackson may be in for a large workload in week 9 and may carry weekly flex appeal moving forward. In Taylor and Hines’s absence, Deon Jackson finished as the RB#1 in week six against Jacksonville, where he rushed the ball 12 times for 42 yards and a score. Also, Jackson produced 10 receptions for 79 yards through the air for 28.1 PPR points. Jackson is a weekly RB3 with RB1 upside. – Billy Muzio Chase Edmonds to Denver – As part of an even bigger trade involving Bradley Chubb to Miami, the Broncos bolstered their backfield by acquiring Chase Edmonds from Miami. Edmonds joins an already crowded committee in Denver, which also stars Melvin Gordon and Latavius Murray. This move can only help Edmonds, who hasn’t topped double-digit touches since Week 1. Expect the Broncos to stick with a frustrating committee approach. However, Edmonds is a proven pass-catcher who has the chance to emerge as a decent flex option down the stretch. Also, Edmonds will have an extra week to acclimate himself to the offense and altitude. Overall, we consider this an upgrade to Edmonds’s sagging fantasy value. Jeff Wilson to Miami –Wilson was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a 2023 5th-round pick, per Adam Schefter. The trade was a domino effect that fell into place 12 days after the San Francisco 49er’s traded away the kitchen sink for running back Christian McCaffrey and hours after the Dolphins traded a first-round pick and Chase Edmonds to the Broncos for pass-rusher Bradley Chubb. Immediate Impact: Jeff Wilson will join his old teammate Raheem Mostert and old offensive coordinator (now head coach) Mike McDaniel’s in Miami. Wilson filled in admirably during Elija Mitchell’s absence. He totaled 468 rushing yards, 91 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns during that span. Wilson is a big-play threat. He is running back number 8 on the year in breakaway runs with 8 in total, RB#10 in breakaway rate at 8.7% and he’s averaging 5.5 yards per touch. Wilson will most likely be a part of a two-man committee with Mostert moving forward, where both backs should see close to a 50/50 split. Both Wilson and Mostert will be RB3s moving forward with RB2 touchdown dependency upside. – Billy Muzio Chase Claypool to Chicago- The Bears gave up a second-rounder for Claypool. This seems excessive considering how cheap it is to acquire veteran wideouts. Not to mention, Chicago ranks dead last in passing. Claypool might get a boost in target share as the unquestioned No. 2 but the quality of those looks is a different matter. Conversely, this is a downgrade for Claypool’s fantasy value but a big win for the Steelers’ rebuild process. Zack Moss to Indianapolis – Moss was part of the deal that sent Hines to Buffalo. With the Bills, Moss’s playing time had disintegrated down to a 15% snap share for the season. Now buried behind Jonathan Taylor, Moss will vie for RB2 reps with Deon Jackson. Calvin Ridley to Jacksonville – The Jaguars have been looking to acquire an Alpha to pair with Christian Kirk. Mission accomplished. However, it won’t help the Jags in 2023. Ridley is serving a one-year suspension but should be back on the WR3 radar next spring. Considering the lack of volume in Atlanta’s offense, this might be a slight upgrade for Ridley’s fantasy value. ENTER OUR WEEK 9 DRAFT CONTEST! How it
Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Wide Receivers
Before the 2022 NFL Draft jumpstarts interest in dynasty fantasy football rookie-only drafts and start-ups, existing dynasty league managers should be looking to shore up their rosters by trading for hidden values or selling high on other players. Now is a great time to take advantage of the relative lull in activity and do just that. After already reviewing quarterbacks, tight ends, and running backs to buy low/sell high, here are the all-important wide receivers that you should be targeting this offseason. Buy Low Elijah Moore (New York Jets) – After a quiet open to his rookie campaign, Moore looked like a future No. receiver in the second half of the season. In his final seven games before winding up on IR, Moore averaged 8.1 targets per game, a 17-game pace of 138 looks. He also produced six touchdowns during the stretch and topped double-digit fantasy points in six of those seven contests. All this despite suboptimal quarterback play bodes very well for Moore’s potential and his 19.3 air yards per target (more than Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson) are indicative of a player with superior downfield playmaking ability Kadarius Toney (New York Giants) – After posting very modest first-year numbers due to various injuries and abysmal quarterback play, there is an opportunity that Toney can be acquired for a second-round pick or even less. While Toney’s overall numbers were muted, he flashed some serious playmaking skills. Toney averaged an impressive 2.13 yards per route run and led all NFL wideouts with a broken or missed tackle forced on 46.2% of his routes. If the Giants can get a credible quarterback, Toney has the athleticism to be an elite after-the-catch difference-maker. Points Earned per route vs MAN coverage 2021 (>15 tgt) H. Ruggs .153 Cooper Kupp .143 Kadarius Toney .142👀 Tyler Lockett .130 DK Metcalf .121 Cordarrelle Patterson .115 A.J. Brown .114 Jauan Jennings .102 Davante Adams .098 ASB .097 Diontae Johnson .093 Justin Jefferson .089 — #TagsStrong💪 (@JodySmithNFL) February 26, 2022 Nico Collins (Houston Texans) – Another sophomore option that was a Day Two pick one year ago, Collins played 38.3% of Houston’s snaps in his rookie season but that role is almost certainly going to expand in his second campaign. Collins and Brandin Cooks, who is widely rumored to be a trade candidate again, are the only wideouts on the active roster who are under contract. If Cooks is dealt, Collins could conceivably be the No. 1 WR in Houston for the rebuilding Texans. With perhaps the worst roster in football, the Texans are expected to lose plenty of games in 2022, which sets up lots of favorable game scripts for Collins and the passing attack. Cedrick Wilson (Dallas Cowboys) – Although currently an unrestricted free agent, Wilson played very well for Dallas last season when promoted into the lineup. In all, Wilson snagged 45-of-61 targets for 602 yards and 6 touchdowns- easily all career-best figures. Wilson also accumulated a 130.6 QB rating when targeted last season, which ranked 5th among all NFL wide receivers. The best-case scenario would be for Wilson to re-sign in Dallas and move into the lineup in 3-wide sets if fellow free-agent Michael Gallup were to sign elsewhere, or the club was to cut ties with Amari Cooper. But even if he signs with another squad, Wilson played well enough to warrant late-round considerations and is worth a speculative trade inquiry. Sell High Mike Evans (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Evans was insanely efficient last season, posting top-10 fantasy numbers on a mere 113 targets (25th) and 74 receptions (26th.) Of course, with Tom Brady under center, that kind of production can occur, but with Brady retired and the Bucs also potentially losing Chris Godwin and TE Rob Gronkowski, Evans is going to face a lot of double-teams and blanket coverage from number one corners. Also, there is no chance Evans comes anywhere close to those 14 touchdowns without Brady. While Evans should be good for another 100-plus targets and 1000-plus receiving yards, he’s more likely to post solid WR2 numbers than another WR1 season, making this a good time to cash out. Gabriel Davis (Buffalo Bills) – If recency bias is any indicator, some fantasy football managers out there are willing to trade an upcoming 2022 first-round rookie pick for Davis. If that’s the case, Davis would represent the best sell high value of any wide receiver this offseason. That four-score playoff game was nice but Davis was used sparingly in 2021, producing just two games all season with more than 50 yards. While Emmanuel Sanders is expected to depart, which would free up more snaps for Davis, being able to acquire a top-10 pick in this draft is terrific value. Jalen Reagor (Philadelphia Eagles) – Just two seasons after being selected with the 21st overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, Reagor looks like the latest in a long list of first-round wide receiver busts. Despite playing in all 17 games of his sophomore season, Reagor eclipsed 50 receiving yards just twice and produced single-digit fantasy points in 15-of-17 contests. Granted, the Eagles aren’t an explosive passing attack, but Reagor averaged an abysmal 0.7 yards per route run, which ranked 199th in the NFL. He also hauled in just 2 of 15 contested targets, resulting in the eighth-lowest contested catch rate (15.4%) in the league. If anyone in your league was a Reagor fan or will give up anything of value hoping the 23-year-old can still develop, take what you can get.
Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Running Backs
There is no offseason in dynasty football. In fact, the lull between the Super Bowl and the upcoming NFL Draft is the perfect time to improve your roster by trading for under-valued players and parting with declining assets. Before you can maximize your return on investment, it is important to know which players to sell high on and which players make savvy trade targets. In Part 3 of our dynasty fantasy football trade targets series, we will focus on running backs. Be sure to also check out our look at tight ends and quarterbacks. Buy Low Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) – A ton of dynasty insiders are recommending now is the ideal time so “sell” McCaffrey after another injury-marred season. If you’re a fantasy manager with a contending roster, take advantage of the potential market. Despite the shortened season, McCaffrey still looked like one of the best backs in the league, ranking 2nd in yards per route run and 5th with 18.2 PPR points per game. Winning championships comes with an acceptable amount of risk-reward. If your roster is an elite RB away from seriously contending, see if you can sell a first in this underwhelming rookie class and acquire a player with true difference-making ability. Khalil Herbert (Chicago Bears) – Although stuck behind incumbent starter David Montgomery, Herbert performed well in a featured role last season. When Montgomery was sidelined from Weeks 5-8, Herbert averaged 97 scrimmage yards per game with a pair of contests producing north 0f 18 PPR points. The sixth-round rookie also outperformed Montgomery in several advanced metrics. EVADED TACKLE/ATT YDS CREATED/ATT BREAKAWAY RATE PPR PTS/ATT PLAYER YPC YDS/TGT JUKE RATE Khalil Herbert 4.2 6 28.20% 0.32 2.21 3.9% 0.66 David Montgomery 3.77 5.9 24% 0.28 2.08 3.1% 0.71 Montgomery is also in the final year of his rookie contract, meaning he’s set to enter free agency after the 2022 season. While Montgomery is still the back to target in 2022 redraft leagues, it’s not inconceivable that the new regime will let Montgomery walk if they feel Herbert, who is younger, cheaper, and looked quite promising in 2021, can be an effective option. That makes Herbert an intriguing dynasty buy who can probably be acquired as a trade throw-in. Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – With Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones set to enter unrestricted free agency, Vaughn is currently the only running back under contract in Tampa Bay. Upon Tom Brady’s retirement, we may see the Bucs choose to go full rebuild. That would mean little to no money spent on a position like running back, which would give Vaughn a legitimate shot at entering camp as the starter. Although a bust through his first two seasons, Vaughn did produce 13-plus PPR points and score a touchdown in three of Tampa’s final four games when finally given double-digit touches. He also posted an impressive 89.1 Elusive Rating at PFF- 14th among all running backs. Eno Benjamin (Arizona Cardinals) – Like the Buccaneers, Arizona’s top two running backs are currently unrestricted free agents. That leaves Benjamin as the only running back on the roster. The 2020 seventh-rounder only got 40 touches last season but looked decent in Week 18 when thrust into action. He also showed promise as a pass-catcher, where he was graded out at 83.3 by Pro Football Focus, the No. 5 receiving grade among all running backs. Benjamin is also probably widely available on the waiver wire, making him the ideal no-risk acquisition. Sell High Cordarrelle Patterson (Atlanta Falcons) – After a mostly middling career as a wideout, Atlanta unlocked the secret to Patterson’s first-round pedigree by moving him almost full-time into the backfield. That resulted in a career-best season out of Patterson, who accumulated 1,166 scrimmage yards and 11 TDs. But now 31 and set to enter free agency, there is no guarantee that Patterson will continue to be utilized in such a prominent role, particularly if he signs with a new team. Further, Patterson ranked just 46th in juke rate and breakaway rate while ranking 5th in fantasy points per opportunity. Those aren’t sustainable figures and paint the picture of a “one-hit wonder” type of performance. Aaron Jones (Green Bay Packers) – Jones just restructured his contract so he’ll be back in Green Bay for at least one more season, but he doesn’t even look like the best back on the team. That honor goes to A.J. Dillon, who began to take over a bigger share of the touches in the second half of last season. Dillon averaged 14.6 PPR points per game in Green Bay’s final nine contests and was given the third-highest rushing grade overall by PFF. Dillon also had more red-zone rushing yards (112) and touchdowns (5) than Jones (92,4). At 6-feet at 247 pounds, that’s a role Dillon should continue to be featured in. With the status of QB Aaron Rodgers also up in the air, now is a good time to see what Jones can bring in return. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) – Mired with the worst salary cap situation in the league, breaking in a new coach, and missing a legitimate quarterback, the Saints could be in for a precipitous fall. While that alone is a poor situation for a starting running back, Kamara also could be facing severe consequences for a battery charge incurred at the Pro Bowl. This could include a rather length suspension even if the case is settled before the summer. There’s just an awful lot of risk involved with Kamara right now and if you can get anywhere near his value to a desperate league-mate, it might be a good time to move on from a potential headache.
Fantasy Football Trade Targets: Tight Ends
Complacency is not a desirable trait in fantasy football, particularly in dynasty formats. The weeks after the Super Bowl and before the NFL Draft are prime times to shore up rosters by sending out trade offers. Knowing which players make solid value buys and which are at or near their peak values is integral towards shoring up your roster in the offseason. After already breaking down quarterbacks to target, here are the tight ends that dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts should consider buying or selling in the early part of the 2022 season. Buy Low Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) – “Buy Low” is a bit of a misconception, here. Pitts is generally considered the top tight end in dynasty formats but off the heels of a disappointing one-score showing, do your due diligence and see if the manager in your league that invest the 1.03 or 1.04 on Pitts last spring is willing to listen to offers. Even if you’re paying the fair-market value for Pitts, he’s a player you want to try to target if at all possible. Irv Smith Jr. (Minnesota Vikings) – A popular breakout candidate last summer, Smith missed the entire 2021 campaign with a knee injury. With Smith absent, Tyler Conklin managed to haul in 61-of-87 targets and produce a solid TE17 showing. Smith offers far more downfield ability and scoring upside than Conklin, and with the Vikings’ offense returning mostly intact, Smith will once again offer TE2 value and his price should be steeply discounted. Cameron Brate (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – With both Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard slated to hit free agency, Brate currently sits atop Tampa’s depth chart. Brate easily surpassed Howard in the pecking order last year and posted a respectable 30/245/4 line as the No. 2 tight end. Tampa’s roster is loaded with skill-position talent that could depart this offseason, so there’s a chance Brate could be in-line for a fairly significant role in 2022. Blake Jarwin (Dallas Cowboys) – Injuries have torpedoed each of Jarwin’s last two seasons but with Dalton Schultz currently set to break the bank as our top-ranked free-agent tight end, there’s a small chance Jarwin reclaims the starting job in Dallas. Schultz is also a candidate for the franchise tag, but he’s essentially free right now, and acquiring him wouldn’t involve much dynasty capital. Sell High Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) – Kelce’s run as the undisputed No. 1 PPR tight end came to an end in 2021, with Mark Andrews taking top honors. As good as Kelce has been, it would be unprecedented for a tight end that will be 33 in October to continue to put up elite numbers. There is a notable drop-off in production for most tight ends when they turn 32, and Kelce’s receiving yards, yards per catch, and fantasy points per game figures from 2021 were his lowest in five years. Having Kelce as your fantasy starter has been a cheat code for most of eight seasons, but father time catches up to everyone, even the goats. Dynasty managers would be wise to be proactive now while Kelce will still bring a considerable asset haul. Hunter Henry (New England Patriots) – Among top-10 PPR tight ends from 2021, Henry had the fewest targets (75), yards (603), and receptions (55.) A full 32.8% of Henry’s total points came from his nine touchdown grabs. That’s not a sustainable number in a low-volume New England passing attack that should look vastly different sans Josh McDaniels. Among tight ends last season, Henry ranked 6th with 17 red-zone targets and second with 12 looks in the end zone. Even a small correction, which should be expected, could cause Henry’s fantasy production to drop precipitously. C.J. Uzomah (Cincinnati Bengals) – Uzomah had a career-best showing in 2021 but still only posted overall TE19 numbers. While an appearance in the Super Bowl is fresh on the minds of many football fans, Uzomah will likely fetch more in return than he will this summer. A free-agent who just turned 29, the Bengals will have no trouble finding a better option via the draft or could simply choose to push forward with Drew Sample, who was the club’s second-round selection three seasons ago.
2018 Free Agency Tracker / Offseason Player Movement
The 2018 Free Agency period is officially underway and the rumor mill is red hot with the latest moves. The Tracker discusses how each move impacts your Fantasy team!