After the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens to improve their receiving depth, Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Steelers fans were steaming like they had just lost a key piece to their depth. The Cowboys are in prime position to compete in the NFC East, and Dak Prescott might've caught his biggest break as the Cowboys quarterback.
Former NFL quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III said that the Cowboys now have one of the best receiving groups in the NFL. That might not have been the case if they traded for another WR they showed interest in.
Per FOX NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Dallas talked with the Baltimore Ravens about former first-round pick Rashod Bateman. Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram confirmed the report, adding that the two sides could not come to an agreement on draft compensation, which prompted the Cowboys to up their offer for Pickens.
Cowboys getting George Pickens' talent was more attractive offer than Bateman
Can confirm.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) May 9, 2025
Bateman was an option that was sought out by Dallas ahead of the draft and the two sides couldn’t meet on an agreement.
Pickens’ talent paired with the price to acquire ended up being the more enticing option for the Cowboys. https://t.co/pOhI6Onlcn
A first-round pick in 2021, Bateman has never had more than 46 catches. He set his career-high for receiving yards last year with 756 and his nine touchdowns were more than he tallied in his first three seasons combined. It was very much an outlier season.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, Bateman is built like CeeDee Lamb. Bateman is a nice player, he isn't the ideal complement for Lamb nor the perfect marriage with Dak Prescott. At 6-foot-3, Pickens offers a jump-ball element and red zone presence that Bateman does not. His skill set aligns perfectly with Prescott.
Pickens even expressed that he's in a much better position now in Dallas compared to Pittsburgh. Even though Mike Tomlin has never been below .500 in a regular season, his team isn't a Super Bowl contending team. Further, the Steelers' quarterback play has been average at best since Pickens entered the league. Say what you will about Prescott's lack of playoff success, but he is a very good quarterback.
This seems like the feeling is mutual between Jerry Jones and George Pickens. The Pickens project in Dallas might be a short-term one, but Prescott now has the depth that he needs for the Cowboys to look like a playoff contender.
With the projected starters looking strong to start the season, the difference of the Pickens trade is significant compared to that of a possible Bateman deal.