{"id":253370,"date":"2026-04-16T23:13:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T23:13:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/253370\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T23:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T23:13:16","slug":"kyle-pitts-could-be-perfect-target-for-cowboys-if-george-pickens-is-traded","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/253370\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyle Pitts Could Be Perfect Target For Cowboys If George Pickens Is Traded"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"inline-text-0\" class=\"mt-[18px] md:mt-0 mb-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6i\">We are approaching two months to the day the Dallas Cowboys <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/48053911\/sources-cowboys-place-franchise-tag-wr-george-pickens\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">officially used the franchise tag<\/a> on George Pickens and there is still no clarity on the veteran wideout.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-1\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6l\">We know Pickens wants a long-term deal, but it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/jerry-jones-actions-george-pickens-contradict-comments-dallas-cowboys-wr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">doesn&#8217;t seem like the Cowboys are too keen<\/a> on giving it to him, based on reports and comments from owner Jerry Jones.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-2\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6o\">Until Pickens gets a long-term deal, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-brian-schottenheimer-ominous-george-pickens-contract-update\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">possibility of a holdout exists<\/a>, as does the possibility that the Cowboys ultimately just decide to trade him.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-3\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6r\">If Dallas does move Pickens, the team would then have to replace him. After all, the Cowboys don&#8217;t have someone who can even sniff covering for the loss of over 1,400 yards of production.<\/p>\n<p>Cowboys named possible Kyle Pitts trade suitor<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-5\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"6x\">In an article naming <a href=\"https:\/\/fansided.com\/nfl\/7-players-who-should-be-traded-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-with-ideal-landing-spots\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">players who could get traded<\/a> during the 2026 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was named as one of them by FanSided&#8217;s Jake Beckman.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-6\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"70\">&#8220;Potential Landing Spots: Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots,&#8221; Beckman wrote, before noting that the Cowboys &#8220;have a lot of draft picks&#8221; they can use to acquire the former first-round pick.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-7\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"73\">Despite having the franchise tag, the Falcons are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7158870\/2026\/03\/30\/falcons-owners-meeting-michael-penix-tua-tagovailoa\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">listening to trade offers for Pitts<\/a>, general manager Ian Cunningham admitted, so he may get moved at some point.<\/p>\n<p>Why would the Cowboys trade for Pitts?<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpapgag6wdk5da8nq2.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones observe the playing of the national anthem at training camp.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones observe the playing of the national anthem at training camp.\" width=\"5334\" height=\"5334\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"7g\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-10\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7k\">Outside of maybe a late Day 2 or Day 3 pick in the draft, under no circumstances should the Cowboys use more resources on pass-catchers than they already have. The only way it would make sense to acquire Pitts is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-must-consider-george-pickens-trade-proposal-1-major-reason\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">if the Cowboys trade Pickens<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-11\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7n\">Of course, Pitts wouldn&#8217;t be a one-for-one replacement for the Pro Bowl wide receiver, but he would certainly help fill the void. Pitts isn&#8217;t exactly a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/dallas-cowboys-star-pro-bowl-replacement-nod-bounce-back-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">traditional tight end like Jake Ferguson<\/a>, as he&#8217;s capable of lining up in the slot and even out wide.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-12\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7q\">And, as he showed late last season, when he racked up some big games en route to posting 928 receiving yards, Pitts can be dynamic and a game-changer on the football field.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-13\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7t\">After acquiring Pitts, the Cowboys could then sign a cheaper veteran wide receiver in free agency like Jauan Jennings and, all of a sudden, things aren&#8217;t looking so bad for the Cowboys in the post-Pickens era.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-14\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7w\">Not to mention, bringing in Pitts and signing a veteran wideout could still be multiple millions of dollars cheaper than <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/george-pickens-price-tag-skyrocketed-colts-nfl-free-agency-splash#:~:text=The%20Dallas%20Cowboys%20failed%20to,million%20for%20the%202026%20season.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Pickens&#8217; $27 million franchise tag price<\/a>. Pitts&#8217; franchise tag number is just north of $15 million and it&#8217;s not crazy to think Dallas can sign a veteran starter for anywhere from $6-8 million at this point in free agency.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-15\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"7z\">Whatever is left of that money can be used on the defense, which is without a shadow of a doubt the biggest need Dallas has.<\/p>\n<p>Do the Cowboys need Pickens?<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kpaptdq5h3cdqqzvjy.jpg\" alt=\"Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building.\" title=\"Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building.\" width=\"5152\" height=\"5152\" class=\"undefined w-full w-full blur-[5px]\" q:id=\"8c\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-18\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8g\">While it&#8217;s certainly nice to have him, no, the Cowboys don&#8217;t need Pickens.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-19\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8j\">As former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/onsi\/news\/former-dallas-cowboys-wr-points-out-uncomfortable-george-pickens-truth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cowboys wide receiver Jesse Holley rightly pointed out<\/a> earlier this month, Dallas has had an elite offense without Pickens in recent years and that makes him a luxury, not a need.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-20\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8m\">Adding to that, Pickens could become a massive head ache for the team if he doesn&#8217;t get the long-term deal he&#8217;s seeking and that&#8217;s the last thing a team trying to rebound needs.<\/p>\n<p id=\"inline-text-21\" class=\"my-[18px] [&amp;_a]:text-primary my-f-1.5\" q:key=\"0\" q:id=\"8p\">\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\/newsletter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter <\/a>for more free coverage from<a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/cowboys\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Dallas Cowboys on SI<\/a> \u2014<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\" class=\"shrink-0\"\/>Add us as a preferred source on Google<a aria-label=\"Follow si.com on Google News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=si.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" class=\"flex h-[30px] w-[30px] shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full bg-primary font-group-large text-sm font-medium text-white transition-colors hover:bg-secondary focus:bg-secondary md:w-auto md:gap-2.5 md:px-4 md:py-[5px]\">Follow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We are approaching two months to the day the Dallas Cowboys officially used the franchise tag on George&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":253371,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":{"0":"post-253370","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-dallas","9":"tag-dallas-headlines","10":"tag-dallas-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253370\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/253371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253370"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=253370"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=253370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}