It was speculated that the Dallas Cowboys could trade George Pickens this weekend. That buzz ramped up Thursday after reports surfaced that Pickens planned to sign the franchise tag, a move that could facilitate a trade. However, the Cowboys have since said they have no plans to deal him.
That's great news, as offloading Pickens after just one season would completely change the outlook of last offseason’s trade, which currently looks like a clear win for Dallas, despite what some Pittsburgh Steelers fans might think.
If there was any doubt the Cowboys won the trade, it disappeared when the Steelers used the pick they acquired from Dallas on Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at No. 76.
The Steelers drafting Drew Allar proves the Dallas Cowboys won George Pickens trade going away
Even in Pittsburgh, Mike McCarthy is still dishing out wins for the Cowboys.
A projected first-round pick just two years ago, Allar's draft stock plummeted in his final season for the Nittany Lions. Like a lot of this year's quarterback prospects, Allar is extremely polarizing and opinions on him are mixed in league circles.
Some think he could develop into a low-end starter in the right system. However, his footwork is an absolute mess. He needs to be coached up. A lot. He was worth a dart throw on Day 3, but taking him in the middle of the third round is a laughable reach, especially since the Pittsburgh media have been hyping up 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard this offseason.
The complexion of the Pickens trade would change overnight if Drew Allar develops into a starter. But with players like A.J. Haulcy, Keionte Scott, Zachariah Branch, Emmanuel Pregnon, Gennings Dunker, and Malik Muhammad all still on the board, Steelers fans are furious with the pick.
Pickens, meanwhile, was a second-team All-Pro in his first year in Dallas, and arguably should have been a first-teamer. He finished third among receivers in receiving yards (1,429), seventh in catches (93), sixth in yards per route run (2.35), and second with 39 contested catches.
All for a developmental QB in Allar who may never play meaningful snaps.
The Cowboys had already won the Pickens trade because of his sheer production. The Allar selection was the icing on the cake, cementing it as a one-sided deal.
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