Dallas Cowboys fans are on edge as the NFL Draft is about to get underway. Having two first-round picks is one thing, but everyone is waiting to see what happens with George Pickens, who's found himself at the center of trade speculation over the last few days.
The trade rumblings took off on Thursday after Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Pickens signed the franchise tag. The timing was odd, to say the least, as a tag-and-trade is only possible if the player getting traded signs the franchise tag.
With the football world searching for answers, Rapoport provided some clarity on NFL Draft Kickoff, saying that he does not expect a trade to happen Thursday night.
"You can never, ever rule out a trade. Certainly, anything can happen. But my understanding is the Dallas Cowboys want to keep George Pickens rather than trade him."
Ian Rapoport doesn't think the Dallas Cowboys are going to trade George Pickens
It's important to note that Pickens has not signed the tag yet. The expectation is that he will, but ESPN's Todd Archer clarified that it's "not yet known" when it'll happen.
That's a crucially important detail.
Again, a trade is not possible until Pickens signs the tag. If he doesn't sign it tonight, it wouldn't rule out a trade altogether. But it would obviously rule out the possibility of Dallas getting a first-round pick in return.
Anything is possible, including the Cowboys taking a wide receiver early. Multiple insiders have confirmed Dallas' interest in Arizona State star Jordyn Tyson, who could be a target at pick No. 12 if all of the top defenders are gone.
A trade would almost have to happen at that point. It's hard to believe that the Cowboys would draft a playmaker of Tyson's caliber -- someone who many believe can be a WR1 in the league -- just to have him be the third option behind Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
Just because Rapoport doesn't expect a trade tonight doesn't mean Dallas won't jump on the opportunity if they get an offer they can't refuse.
It's an open-ended question right now with a potentially terrifying answer waiting on the other side.
Add us as a preferred source on Google