Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make, but it would be interesting to have been a fly on the wall for some of the conversations the Dallas Cowboys were having behind closed doors ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys entered the 2025 NFL Draft with some clear areas they needed to focus on, and they seemed to absolutely crush the draft at every turn. For their top three picks, the Cowboys landed three guys in Tyler Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Shavon Revel Jr. who were all projected to go in the first round at some point over the last 2-3 months.
And they apparently almost made even bigger headlines than that by making a move with an unnamed AFC North team for a wide receiver.
Did the Cowboys try to get George Pickens before the 2025 NFL Draft?
It looks like the #Cowboys were trying to trade for a wide receiver before the draft:
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 27, 2025
“Leading up to the draft, the Cowboys had discussions with an AFC North team regarding a veteran wide receiver, but nothing came to fruition…”
I wonder who?#DallasCowboys https://t.co/oytawGpQaK
An article from ESPN's Todd Archer indicates two pretty big bombshells about the wide receiver position for the Dallas Cowboys. First off, they were slated to use the 12th overall pick on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan if he was still on the board, but the Panthers took him 8th overall.
They were also allegedly calling an unnamed AFC North team about a wide receiver regarding a "veteran receiver". Interestingly enough, the only AFC North receiver who has been knowingly on the trade block lately is Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens.
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After trading for DK Metcalf and giving him a massive contract earlier this offseason, the Steelers might not be looking to keep both guys around long-term and could be willing to trade Pickens if the price is right. Apparently, that wasn't the case.
It's all speculative at this point, but it would have been extremely fun to see the Cowboys add a player like Pickens to pair with CeeDee Lamb. And frankly, if there's a chance that could still be on the table as the offseason progresses, the Cowboys might be able to have their cake and eat it, too.
Not only did Dallas avoid giving up valuable 2025 NFL Draft capital, but they managed to address a number of other key needs with their selections and landed top-flight prospects at a couple of premium roster positions. The wide receiver need remains an issue after the draft, but if discussions started before the draft, they don't have to end now.
Those discussions could be ongoing throughout the duration of the offseason and maybe the Cowboys will now be able to flip 2026 draft capital for an impact receiver.