Even though George Pickens signed his franchise tag, the Dallas Cowboys are facing an uphill battle to keep him in Dallas long-term. He's still vying for a lucrative new extension, but Jerry Jones appears willing to again let him play out the season and risk his price tag again increasing.
There is still the possibility he is traded, which seems to be becoming increasingly likely, and frankly, I don't understand it. The Pickens trade was supposed to be the perfect marriage for the Cowboys, but now it's blossoming into a torrid love affair with no end in sight unless a deal somehow materializes.
And it seems like those in league circles are already preparing for the opportunity that he is traded. They shouldn't have any difficulty finding a trade partner after his career year in 2025, and it seems as though finding a replacement should be no issue given elite WRs basically grow on trees nowadays.
The Dallas Cowboys were linked to two different Indiana WRs in separate mock drafts
Speaking of, two different way-too-early 2027 mock drafts are preparing for the 25-year-old to be dealt by having the Cowboys replace him with a first-round receiver. The Athletic's Dane Brugler and ESPN's Jordan Reid both have them replacing Pickens with an Indiana wideout, just different ones.
Brugler has the Cowboys drafting Nick Marsh, while Reid has them drafting Charlie Becker. Who's saying Curt Cignetti isn't molding the Hoosiers into a mini-WRU? And if Jerry Jones actually trades away the Pro Bowl wide receiver, drafting Marsh or Becker would be an ideal scenario.
Marsh transferred in from Michigan State this offseason, where he was one of the best wideouts in the nation despite dealing with a horrid situation in East Lansing. Quarterback play was never up to snuff, yet the 21-year-old has still combined for over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns in two college seasons.
At 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds, he is a prototypical "X" receiver" who has elite downfield ability that should be more maxmized with a superior Indiana roster. And with his elite contested catch ability, he would grant the Cowboys the chance to move on from Pickens and replace him with someone similar.
As for Becker, he was the Hoosiers' WR3 behind Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 206-pounder became more important for Indiana as the season progressed, and he should remain on the first-round radar if Josh Hoover supports IU's offense like Fernando Mendoza did.
Both of these guys are big-bodied wideouts who would cater to Dak Prescott's strengths and assume the Pickens role as a WR2 behind CeeDee Lamb in Dallas. Drafting Marsh or Becker may not as shiny as Jeremiah Smith or Cam Coleman but would still be an intriguing scenario if Pickens is traded.
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