The Dallas Cowboys should do everything they can to keep George Pickens in Dallas long-term, but everything is still on the table. Now that they're expected to franchise tag him, it's opened up the possibility of him being tagged and traded, but Jerry Jones should know better than that.
This has led Cowboys fans to consider potential replacements, and luckily, one may have fell into their laps.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans plans to keep playing in 2026, but isn't a lock to return to the team because he's a free agent this offseason.
Evans' murky future is opening the door for Jerry Jones to work his magic. In the event that Pickens isn't back, this backup plan is as good as it gets. The only issue is that he'll be turning 33 in August, and this is around the age where wide receiver production starts to drop off. Unless you're Jerry Rice, that is.
The Dallas Cowboys should kick the tires on signing Mike Evans if George Pickens doesn't return
For the first time in his career, Evans was held under 1,000 receiving yards in 2025, but also missed over half the season due to injury. Even when he was healthy, he started to show signs of age, but he also didn't look like himself because of those injuries and the Bucs' midseason offensive regression.
Don't let that cloud your vision, though.
The six-time Pro Bowler is one of the most consistent wide receivers in the game, tying Rice's record with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. While he's never been a top-five wideout in the NFL, he's been among the 10 best players at his position for the last decade. The longevity and consistency make him a potential future Hall of Famer.
What Pickens does best is as a contested catch guy, because his major catch radius consistently makes Dak Prescott's life significantly easier. The Texas A&M product is similar; he's 6-foot-5 and 231 pounds and is an elite downfield target, even if he isn't nearly as athletic as the man he'd be replacing.
The former Super Bowl champion isn't much of a contested catch guy anymore, but he's still uber-physical and an elite deep threat. He can also go up and get it when asked. We saw how surrounding CeeDee Lamb with an elite X receiver unlocked this offense, which the Cowboys can't afford to lose.
Evans is likely to be one of the most coveted receivers in free agency if he shakes free from Tampa Bay, but since he's older than Pickens, he would be cheaper to sign. He would definitely have a good rapport with Prescott and keep the nucleus intact.
If Pickens doesn't return, signing No. 13 is the way to go.