With the Dallas Cowboys bringing in Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, the offseason focus shifts to player personnel and the looming negotiations with star wideout George Pickens. The 24-year-old earned a second-team All-Pro nod for his sensational campaign, but an ominous end to the season and a potential holdup over contract figures could cut his tenure with the franchise short.
The organization's willingness to expend a pair of draft picks just to acquire Pickens last spring bodes well for a chance at a reunion, but Jerry Jones' increasing reluctance to re-sign talent at a market rate should cause concern. With CeeDee Lamb on the books until 2028, is paying two wideouts top dollar even a wise business practice?
Losing an asset like Pickens for nothing isn’t ideal, but a reallocation of resources and an on-the-fly pivot could make a lot of sense. If the Cowboys and Pickens can’t find a mutually beneficial agreement, here are some prime candidates who could try to fill his 1,429-yard void.
Potential George Pickens replacements for the Cowboys
The High-Upside Lottery Ticket: Brandon Aiyuk
Even those around the San Francisco 49ers seem unaware as to why Brandon Aiyuk never touched the field this past season. There was an undeniable rift between the pass catcher and the front office that went unresolved, with each party ready to move on. In his presser on Wednesday, the team’s GM, John Lynch, said, “It's safe to say [Aiyuk’s] played his last snap with the Niners.”
Lynch’s public declaration does nothing but plummet Aiyuk’s trade value, suggesting the veteran is likely to be cut. The soon-to-be seventh-year pro could be in line for a short-term “prove it” deal to help reclaim some of his reputation that has been lost over the last few months. The temptation to play for an illustrious franchise with a stud signal-caller could be too intriguing to pass up.
The Mid-Tier Dice Roll: Alec Pierce
Despite dealing with a revolving door at quarterback during his stint in Indianapolis, Alec Pierce has transformed into one of the NFL's premier deep threats. Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged over 21.5 yards per reception and has an uncanny ability to take the top off opposing defenses.
Pierce isn’t just a home-run vertical threat but has been able to refine his route tree closer to the sticks. The former second-rounder is going to cultivate plenty of interest as an unrestricted free agent, but his playstyle should mesh well with Brian Schottenheimer’s aggressive aerial attack. With Prescott launching him the rock, Pierce could match the bulk of Picken’s production at 60% of the price.
The Low-End Flier: Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs' statistical output has yet to match his elite physical traits as a pro, but how much of that is on him? His time with the Packers has been marred by a constant reshuffling of the pass-catching room, which has stunted his development. Even so, he had plenty of “wow” moments this past campaign, including a hat trick of touchdowns in a primetime outing against the Cowboys.
In many ways, he’s a similar archetype to Pickens and could simply use a change of scenery to finally “pop.” Finally, lining up across from a true WR1 such as Lamb could be all he needs. Even with a thinner wide receiver free agency pool, Doubs should still factor in as a budget option.