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Dallas Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones said days before the 2025 NFL Draft the team was working on "pretty substantive trades" that could happen before or after the draft.
Dallas swung one on Wednesday to add a high-end receiving partner across from CeeDee Lamb.
The Cowboys are finalizing a trade to acquire wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to multiple reports.
Pickens, 24, was a second-round pick by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft and quickly developed into a strong starter for the team. He averaged 16.3 yards per reception during his three years with the Steelers and made 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns during the 2024 season.
However, Pickens was set to be a free agent following the 2025 NFL season and caused the Steelers some headaches with his on-field antics. Mike Tomlin said after Pickens was involved in a postgame scuffle in December the receiver needed to "grow up in a hurry."
Here's what to know about the Pickens trade, including the compensation the Steelers are receiving for the young wide-out.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand following the 2025 draft
The Cowboys waited until after the 2025 NFL Draft to swing the deal for Pickens, a move that ensured the team wouldn't have to give up any present-year draft assets to acquire the young receiver. That allowed Dallas to use its full complement of draft assets to improve the roster around Dak Prescott.
Prescott should enjoy throwing the ball to Pickens. The 6-3, 200-pound wideout will give the veteran quarterback a big-bodied, contested-catch threat down the field. He should also complement Lamb well and open up space in which the 6-2, 200-pound All-Pro can operate.
Pickens is the second young wide receiver acquired by the Cowboys via trade in recent months. Dallas also traded for Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are moving on from Pickens as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Pittsburgh's general manager Omar Khan indicated in February the team was open to negotiating an extension with the receiver. Instead, they decided to trade the young wideout.
The Steelers acquired a new No. 1 receiver during the 2025 NFL offseason when they traded for DK Metcalf. They gave the former Seattle Seahawks star a four-year, $132 million contract, so he will be tasked with being the top weapon for Pittsburgh's quarterback – whether that's Aaron Rodgers or someone else – in 2025 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Pickens trade details: Cowboys acquire WR from Steelers
Continue reading...
Dallas swung one on Wednesday to add a high-end receiving partner across from CeeDee Lamb.
The Cowboys are finalizing a trade to acquire wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to multiple reports.
Pickens, 24, was a second-round pick by the Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft and quickly developed into a strong starter for the team. He averaged 16.3 yards per reception during his three years with the Steelers and made 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns during the 2024 season.
However, Pickens was set to be a free agent following the 2025 NFL season and caused the Steelers some headaches with his on-field antics. Mike Tomlin said after Pickens was involved in a postgame scuffle in December the receiver needed to "grow up in a hurry."
Here's what to know about the Pickens trade, including the compensation the Steelers are receiving for the young wide-out.
NFL POWER RANKINGS: Where all 32 teams stand following the 2025 draft
George Pickens trade details
- Cowboys get: WR George Pickens, 2027 sixth-round pick
- Steelers get: 2026 third-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Cowboys waited until after the 2025 NFL Draft to swing the deal for Pickens, a move that ensured the team wouldn't have to give up any present-year draft assets to acquire the young receiver. That allowed Dallas to use its full complement of draft assets to improve the roster around Dak Prescott.
Prescott should enjoy throwing the ball to Pickens. The 6-3, 200-pound wideout will give the veteran quarterback a big-bodied, contested-catch threat down the field. He should also complement Lamb well and open up space in which the 6-2, 200-pound All-Pro can operate.
Pickens is the second young wide receiver acquired by the Cowboys via trade in recent months. Dallas also traded for Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft, ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Steelers are moving on from Pickens as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. Pittsburgh's general manager Omar Khan indicated in February the team was open to negotiating an extension with the receiver. Instead, they decided to trade the young wideout.
The Steelers acquired a new No. 1 receiver during the 2025 NFL offseason when they traded for DK Metcalf. They gave the former Seattle Seahawks star a four-year, $132 million contract, so he will be tasked with being the top weapon for Pittsburgh's quarterback – whether that's Aaron Rodgers or someone else – in 2025 and beyond.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Pickens trade details: Cowboys acquire WR from Steelers
Continue reading...
