Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was the first player to reach the locker room after the team's 33-30 loss at AT&T Stadium, a defeat that saw Dallas blow a 14-point lead. Pickens caught two passes for 48 yards on four targets, while CeeDee Lamb led the team with 11 targets and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford had five. Despite the limited opportunities, Pickens has 533 receiving yards this season, ranking 15th in the NFL in 2026, just behind Trey McBride and ahead of Garrett Wilson (527) and Ja'Marr Chase (492). He is on pace to exceed 1,100 yards, but the Cowboys' offense has struggled to involve him consistently since offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer criticized Pickens' run-blocking effort after a loss to the Green Bay Packers; over the last two games, Pickens has seen only 10 targets.
Quarterback Dak Prescott's Perspective
Quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged the issue, saying, "If I had the answer, we'd get him involved. I'm not trying to be rude or whatever it is, but he made some plays. Anytime the ball went his way, he came up with them. He had the one, unfortunately came back for a holding." Prescott added that he goes through his reads and tries to throw to the open guy, and that he would need to review the film to see if he missed Pickens.
Trade Deadline Context
With the NFL trade deadline eight days away on November 10 and the Cowboys sitting at 3-5, it would make sense for Dallas to field trade calls for Pickens. He is playing on the franchise tag and will command near-top-of-the-market value on his next contract. Dallas also faces a contract situation with cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is set to be a free agent after the season. Having traded draft capital to acquire Porter Jr. and Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys could use additional picks for their 2027 NFL Draft war chest.
Five Potential Landing Spots
San Francisco 49ers (6-1): The 49ers have $34.98 million in cap space, the third most in the league, and a glaring need at wide receiver with Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) ruled out in Week 7 and three receivers on injured reserve. San Francisco is all-in for 2026 given an aging core that includes Christian McCaffrey (30), Evans (33), Samuel (30), George Kittle (33), Kyle Juszczyk (35), Trent Williams (38), and DeForest Buckner (32).
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2): The Chiefs lost 28-24 to the Denver Broncos after being outscored 15-0 in the fourth quarter. Kenneth Walker III's production has dipped after a strong start, and the passing game relies heavily on Travis Kelce. Adding Pickens would give Patrick Mahomes a true No. 1 wide receiver, a role unfilled since Tyreek Hill's departure in 2022. Mahomes' career numbers without Hill show a notable dip in points per game (23.8 vs. 30.3), yards per attempt (7.3 vs. 8.1), and passer rating (96.0 vs. 106.2).
Buffalo Bills (6-1): The Bills are the AFC's top seed and are in win-now mode with Josh Allen. They traded for DJ Moore, but he is best suited as a No. 2 receiver and has dealt with a shoulder injury and a hyperextended knee. Allen has not had a true WR1 since the Stefon Diggs trade in 2024, and Pickens could help make Allen the league's most efficient passer.
Las Vegas Raiders (4-4): The Raiders, led by Kirk Cousins (19 passing touchdowns, second most in the NFL), are one game out of the seventh seed. Pairing Pickens with tight end Brock Bowers could elevate Klint Kubiak's offense. Among the Raiders' wide receivers, Tre Tucker is the best option, and Pickens could also aid the long-term development of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is 23.
Minnesota Vikings (6-1): Despite being the NFC's No. 2 seed, the Vikings have the sixth-lowest scoring offense (20.0 points per game) and the second-fewest passing yards per game (165.6). Their Kyler Murray-led passing attack lacks rhythm, and while they have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, another weapon could help Murray find his groove. The Vikings have been rumored to pursue Jonathan Taylor, but Pickens could also address offensive issues.
