The real problem with a George Pickens trade makes any compensation irrelevant, even Maxx Crosby
People are speculating about the Dallas Cowboys’ potentially trading George Pickens. Here’s the problem with that.
Less than one year removed from the shocking Micah Parsons trade, Dallas Cowboys fans are enduring an endless wave of speculative trade scenarios thrown out by media and content creators surrounding George Pickens.
Understandably, most reactions on social media to these scenarios are negative. After all, who wants to lose a 24-year-old rising star at wide receiver on the heels of a second-team All-Pro season? Pickens not only brought top-tier production, he also provided a much-needed spark on offense and in the locker room.
And yet, trade proposals keep being thrown out there by people wondering what Pickens future will look like. But the thing about those scenarios is that they ignore the real problem with dealing Pickens, and why it makes any compensation irrelevant, even superstar defender Maxx Crosby.
Let’s break it all down.
Crosby-Pickens trade mocked by ESPN
Not wanting to lose Pickens makes sense. But when it comes to trades, it almost always comes down to compensation. What if Dallas received an elite edge rusher in Maxx Crosby, from the Las Vegas Raiders, as part of the deal?
The Raiders are said to be looking for two-first round picks to even consider trading Crosby. In a recent article mocking trade offers for him, ESPN’s Dan Graziano proposed the Cowboys send Pickens in return for Crosby, alongside a pick swap which would drop Dallas from No. 20 overall to No. 36.
Suddenly, trading Pickens doesn’t sound too terrible. Specially when factoring in this would happen if negotiations with Pickens’ camp aren’t going great.
However, losing Pickens goes against the Cowboys’ very best chance at becoming a Super Bowl contender.
The real problem with dealing Pickens
I will be the first to mention I’m excited about the new defensive coaching staff spearheaded by Christian Parker. But it will take time to fix one of the worst units in the league, specially because it lacks talent. Crosby’s hypothetical arrival wouldn’t fix the many holes at cornerback, linebacker, and safety.
But extending Pickens would almost certainly ensure the Cowboys remain a Top 5 offense in the league. Dak Prescott is playing the best football of his career, and he was a Top 3 QB last year. If he can keep throwing to Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, defenses will continue fearing Dallas’ offense.
And here’s the thing: Prescott and Lamb’s window is now. They’re both under contract through 2028. The same goes for head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who should evolve in his second-year as the Cowboys play caller.
Simply put, Dallas will go as far as the offense goes. Of course, an extraordinarily bad defense spoiled the fireworks last year. But even decent unit on that side of the ball should be enough to allow Prescott and Co. to win ballgames.
Remove Pickens from the equation, and that’s lost. The offense goes from being elite to probably very good. That’s the kind of difference that separates solid teams from legitimate contenders.
In one year, GP3 has become one of the most important players on the team. That alone should make him untradeable. If and when negotiations kick off at next week’s NFL Scouting Combine, the Cowboys should be thinking long-term extension, not tag and trade.
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