Stephen Jones: Cowboys Haven’t Received Trade Calls On George Pickens
The Cowboys and George Pickens appear motivated to sign a long-term deal. Until the ink is dry on a new contract, trade rumblings will persist. But for what it’s worth, the wide receiver isn’t generating a whole lot of trade interest from suitors.
During an appearance on 105.3 The Fan today, Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones admitted that the Cowboys haven’t received any inquiries on Pickens’ availability.
“You hate to get into things like that, but no, we’ve had no one call with interest in George Pickens,” Jones said (via The Dallas Morning News).
The Cowboys slapped the wideout with the non-exclusive franchise tag earlier this offseason, meaning Pickens is destined to play the 2026 season on a $27.29MM contract unless an extension can be worked out. We heard last month that the two sides weren’t particularly close to a resolution, and there have since been whispers that the wideout could skip the organization’s offseason workouts.
This is par for the course when it comes to tagged players, and for what it’s worth, there’s not much immediate urgency to agree to an extension. The two sides have until July 15 to come to terms on a new pact, and the Cowboys may simply be prioritizing the draft before pivoting to veteran extensions. If there isn’t any progress over, say, the next few months, perhaps Dallas starts receiving phone calls from some interested teams.
The Cowboys have navigated extension drama before, with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Ezekiel Elliott eventually signing long-term deals. However, we’ve also seen that the front office is willing to bail in these situations, as the team suddenly moved on from Micah Parsons last offseason.
Pickens’ franchise tag puts him in a somewhat unique position compared to those aforementioned players. Plus, the wideout doesn’t have the same organizational track record as those other four stars. The Cowboys acquired the former Steelers second-round pick last offseason and saw the receiver have his best professional season, finishing with 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pickens is understandably looking to capitalize on that breakout campaign, and the Cowboys are understandably wary of immediately handing him a long-term pact, especially with Lamb signed to a lucrative contract. For the time being, this low-key standoff isn’t a huge deal, but the situation will surely become more critical if there isn’t progress over the next few months.
Cardinals Meet With QB Drew Allar
One of the reasons the 2026 quarterback class did not deliver on its advanced hype: Drew Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury came after he had failed to reestablish his draft status. The Penn State product is not expected to be taken in Rounds 1 or 2.
But he almost definitely will be chosen next week, though it is not known who will be the third quarterback off the board in this year’s draft. The Cardinals are being given the best odds (by a slim margin) of drafting Ty Simpson, a move that would either involve Arizona’s No. 34 overall pick or a trade-up from that spot. But they are continuing to do work on lower-profile QBs. Allar is meeting with the NFC West team today, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets.
[RELATED: Allar Makes New York Visit]
An October ankle injury brought an abrupt end to Allar’s senior season. His performances up to that point had left plenty to be desired, something which wound up being true in 2025 of many signal-callers. When Allar went down, he was averaging just 6.9 yards per attempt. Although he posted a 25:2 TD-INT ratio as a sophomore in 2023, a 6.8-yard average and 59.9% completion rate accompanied it. Allar improved on his completion percentage and Y/A numbers in 2024, submitting 66.5 and 8.4 figures in those categories, but his stock dropped over the course of his college career.
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. ranks Allar 129th overall and fifth among QBs — behind Fernando Mendoza, Simpson, Garrett Nussmeier and Carson Beck — while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler slots the Cleveland-area native fourth at the position. Allar, 22, profiles as a player who will likely slot in as a developmental option in 2026. With Kirk Cousins on the Raiders, it is likely no 2026 QB draftee will be a Week 1 starter. The Cards’ third- and fourth-round draft slots come in at 65th and 104th; their Round 5 choice arrives at No. 143.
The Cardinals have two bridge options in Gardner Minshew and Jacoby Brissett. The latter would make sense as a trade candidate given his ties to the previous offensive staff (Drew Petzing coached him in Cleveland and Arizona), while Minshew joined to work with Mike LaFleur. I mentioned in the latest Trade Rumors Front Office piece how Monti Ossenfort‘s early GM work (15-36 through three seasons) would stand to leave him on shaky ground. It may not be a lock the GM remains in place for 2027, raising the stakes for his fourth Cardinals draft. After all, Ossenfort has not identified his own franchise-QB hopeful yet after keeping Steve Keim-era draftee/extension recipient Kyler Murray for three years.
While the Cards gave Keim and predecessor Rod Graves 10 years apiece in the GM position, Arizona struggling again in 2026 would certainly warm Ossenfort’s seat. Allar would seem more of a dart throw compared to Simpson, who would represent a true investment in the position, though the Cards eyeing the 2027 draft — where a more fruitful QB crop likely awaits — would make sense as well. Allar would allow the Cards to play both sides of the fence there.
Giants Still In Talks With Dexter Lawrence, Do Not View Draft As Deadline
The draft represents the second trade window on the NFL calendar, and an All-Pro recently made a request to be moved. The Giants have referred to Dexter Lawrence as a core player, but they have a decision to make — perhaps soon.
Joe Schoen confirmed a previous report the Giants are listening to offers for the veteran defensive tackle, via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, but the fifth-year GM said (via the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy) he is not treating the draft as a deadline to complete a deal. If the Giants were going to move on, it would expedite their John Harbaugh-headed overhaul if they collected prime draft capital for Lawrence this year. But the team is believed to still want him on Harbaugh’s first Big Blue roster.
[RELATED: Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Talks Could Pick Up]
Harbaugh, Schoen and senior VP of football ops and strategy Dawn Aponte have engaged in talks with Lawrence over the past week, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan adds. That represents a promising chapter here, but a recent report indicated the Giants are not interested in extending Lawrence this offseason. Lawrence, 28, is coming off a down year — albeit one Schoen partially blamed on the elbow injury he sustained late in 2024 — and has two seasons left on the four-year, $90MM extension agreed to in 2023.
“We’d like for Dexter to be here and at some point we’ll come to a resolution here, whatever that may be. We’ll see,” Schoen said, via Garafolo. “I’m always going to pick up the phone. Maybe not to the (extent) that coach said last week that everybody is tradable. But that is my job as general manager, if teams call … to take into consideration what that looks like, what the compensation looks like, who the player is, how that affects the roster and then try to make the best decision off that.”
The Giants testing Lawrence’s resolve could lead to a minicamp absence and at least a training camp hold-in. The latter route, as opposed to a holdout, would not lead to fines. Hold-in measures typically take place by players in negotiations, but if the Giants are not planning to extend Lawrence this year, a plan to observe practices would lead to a distraction during Harbaugh’s first training camp with the team. Lawrence, who has fallen to 11th among interior D-linemen in terms of AAV, is due a nonguaranteed $18.5MM base salary this year.
The haul the Jets landed for Quinnen Williams — a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first and DT Mazi Smith — has come up regarding Lawrence, who earned All-Pro acclaim in 2022 and ’23 before a Pro Bowl 2024 slate that included a career-high nine sacks (in just 12 games). That might be a stretch given Lawrence’s down 2025 campaign and interest in a sizable pay raise. Chris Jones‘ $31.75MM-per-year deal leads DTs in AAV, with the next wave of interior D-linemen coming in south of $27MM per annum. Lawrence figures to at least be looking to bridge that gap, but it may take another year for the Giants to truly come to the table.
New York authorized an incentive package for Lawrence last year, and Harbaugh did not sound like he would appease a player who requested a trade. Lawrence returning to form under new DC Dennard Wilson would up his value ahead of the 2027 offseason, but the Clemson product making this stand now — before his 29th birthday — may be a wiser play than doing so next year (when he will turn 30). It just may be a while before a resolution arrives, and with Schoen losing considerable power this offseason, Harbaugh and Aponte’s views may matter more than the GM’s.
The Giants ranked 31st against the run last year with Lawrence suiting up for 17 games. They have been linked to adding D-linemen, and D.J. Reader visited Monday. But Lawrence will be quite difficult to replace — especially with this draft class not teeming with DT options. The Giants, who hold the No. 5 overall pick, will not be expected to address their D-line until at least Round 2.
It would surprise if Lawrence is moved by next week, with our Adam La Rose viewing Thibodeaux as the more likely player to be dealt this year. But Schoen making it clear he will listen does keep the door open to Harbaugh (who now holds the personnel hammer) deciding to add assets ahead of his first Giants draft.
Colts Sign S Nasir Adderley
Nasir Adderley‘s comeback attempt will produce an opportunity. The former Chargers starter agreed to terms with the Colts, according to the AFC South franchise.
Adderley has not played since the 2022 season, but the former Bolts second-round pick (29 in May) will give it a go in Indianapolis. The Chargers used Adderley as a three-year starter, but rather than pursue a free agency deal following the expiration of his rookie contract, Adderley retired. He backtracked on that after three missed seasons, revealing in February an intention to come back.
Even in an era featuring earlier retirements, it was surprising to see Adderley walk away before his 26th birthday. He had played out a four-year, $4.73MM rookie contract and stood to top that as a free agent in 2023. But the Delaware product cited health reasons when he retired. This is far from the most notable unretirement the Colts have greenlit over the past year, with Philip Rivers — an ex-Adderley Charger teammate — famously reemerging after nearly five seasons away to start three games as an emergency option late last season.
Although Rivers worked directly with Shane Steichen during the latter’s time as Bolts OC and QBs coach, the current Colts HC was on the Los Angeles staff during part of Adderley’s tenure. Steichen was in place as QBs coach to start the 2019 season and served as Anthony Lynn‘s OC in 2020.
The Chargers used Adderley as a starter in 44 games from 2020-22, lining him up alongside Derwin James for much of that period. Adderley retired after his contract expired, and after the Bolts had turned to Alohi Gilman to be James’ next sidekick. Gilman’s re-signing came three days before Adderley’s retirement announcement. It would have made sense for Adderley to pursue a free agency deal elsewhere rather than retire, but the former No. 60 overall pick displayed his conviction by remaining out of football for three seasons.
As James roamed the formation, Adderley spent most of his time as a free safety under both Brandon Staley and Gus Bradley. The latter — who served as Colts DC from 2022-24 — oversaw Adderley’s development from 2019-20. Despite frequent FS alignment, Adderley made 99 tackles (three for loss) in 2021. He intercepted two passes in 2022, when Pro Football Focus graded him 36th out of 89 qualified safeties.
The Colts lost Nick Cross in free agency; the Commanders added the two-year Indianapolis starter on a two-year, $13MM deal. Cross played more as a box defender last season, with free agent signing Camryn Bynum in place at free safety under Lou Anarumo. Adderley joins Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas as Colts safety additions this offseason.
Owens, Thomas and 2025 seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler had been set for a competition; Adderley may soon join that fray. If nothing else, this agreement allows the fifth-year veteran to vie for a roster spot. It would be interesting to see if his unretirement will stick for a practice squad opportunity, should it come to that after a busy Colts offseason at safety.
Tight End, Tackle On Broncos’ Draft Radar
The Jaylen Waddle trade required the Broncos’ first-round pick (and more) to complete, marking the fourth first-rounder Denver has traded since the 2022 offseason. The Broncos moved two firsts for Russell Wilson and then packaged the pick from the Bradley Chubb trade to obtain Sean Payton‘s rights. Denver including the No. 30 overall pick in the Waddle trade will mean another long wait for the AFC West franchise.
Sitting at No. 62, the defending AFC West champions do not look to have glaring needs. Two pathways have surfaced, however. Payton’s team has done plenty of work on tight ends, according to ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold. This has included “30” visits with Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, Ohio State’s Max Klare and NC State’s Justin Joly. Stowers’ previously reported Denver visit is today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
A two-year, $23MM Evan Engram contract was thought to stabilize a roster spot that had not provided much since the Noah Fant years, but Denver did not see Engram and Bo Nix click. The former Pro Bowler caught 50 passes for 461 yards and just one touchdown in 2025. The Broncos have been connected to bolstering their TE room previously, but one of their targets — Dallas Goedert — continued to see his void date in Philadelphia pushed back and ultimately re-signed with the Eagles. David Njoku remains unattached, but Denver interest has not been reported.
Engram will turn 32 in September, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed. The rest of that money does not lock in until September, however. The Broncos would be hit with $10.33MM in dead money were they to release Engram, who has one void year on his deal.
The prospect of the Broncos — with Nix still on a rookie contract — hanging onto Engram and adding a younger option may be in play, though the team re-signed ex-Payton Saints draftee Adam Trautman and retained tight end/fullback Nate Adkins in free agency. Although RFA Lucas Krull was nontendered, he re-signed at a lower rate.
Only one TE — Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq — sits in Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com top 50, and he will go well before No. 62. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. does rank Stowers 36th overall. The Payton-era Broncos have also displayed a penchant for trading up after Round 1, climbing to acquire Marvin Mims, Riley Moss and Troy Franklin between Rounds 2 and 4 from 2023-24. Klare and Joly respectively rank 64th and 92nd, per Scouts Inc.
Another path the Broncos could take involves their tackles’ ages. Garett Bolles will turn 34 in May, while Mike McGlinchey will play an age-32 season. Both are signed beyond 2026, but the team may need an heir apparent for at least one of its edge blockers soon. That is an area ESPN.com’s Matt Miller lists as being in play at No. 62.
The Broncos gave swingman Matt Peart a pay cut and re-signed fellow swing Alex Palczewski (two years, $9.5MM) last month. Options are there for 2026, but a starter-level tackle may need to be acquired either this year or next. Bolles has been Denver’s LT since 2017, while McGlinchey stopped a decade-long carousel at RT by signing in 2023.
Elsewhere on the Broncos’ roster, their decision to give Jonah Elliss inside linebacker reps stems in large part on giving 2025 fourth-round pick Que Robinson a chance at more playing time, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes. Denver had Robinson behind Elliss in its outside linebacker rotation. Robinson played in just six games last season, being healthy-scratched for several contests, and recorded just a half-sack on 150 defensive snaps.
The Alabama product did sack Drake Maye in the AFC championship game, and the Broncos appear set to see what he has in the tank. Should Elliss indeed join brothers Kaden and Christian as a true ILB, the Broncos are looking at a second-string OLB duo of Robinson and Dondrea Tillman.
Cowboys Could Trade Up In Round 1
APRIL 14: A belief around the NFL points to Dallas being a team to monitor regarding a trade-up, per veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who notes the team packaging Nos. 12 and 20 is being viewed as a possible scenario. Trade-up and trade-down rumors are obviously commonplace around this time, but Schultz adds several teams believe the Cowboys are eyeing a player the Giants also covet. Moving ahead of New York’s No. 5 pick would be pricey, though it appears that is on the table.
The Giants have been tied to a few prospects at 5. Downs, Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate have been connected to Big Blue during the pre-draft process. This situation could soon remind of 2021, when the Eagles eyed Giants target DeVonta Smith and used the Cowboys (at No. 10) to trade in front of New York. While the Giants are in position to land another impact player near the top of a draft, the prospect of them moving down — perhaps for a cornerback, where the team has done extensive work — has also been mentioned.
APRIL 13: The Cowboys are entering the 2026 draft with a clear need to upgrade on the defensive side of the ball. They currently hold the 12th and 20th overall picks, but trading up for an elite defender is not out of the question.
In particular, Dallas could target Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who they see as “instant-impact game changers on defense,” according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid.
Downs is the consensus No. 1 safety in this year’s draft class and has a case to be the top defender in terms of pure talent. However, teams will likely prioritize edge rushers and cornerbacks over a safety in the first five picks, which could put the two-time All-American within the Cowboys’ range.
Dallas already reshaped their safety room this offseason by signing Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke in free agency to join Malik Hooker. However, none of the three are younger than 28 years old and only Thompson is signed past the 2026 season. Downs could carve out a role right away, especially in the slot where the team lacks proven contributors, while serving as the centerpiece of the safety room in the long-term.
The Cowboys may look back to 2022, when Kyle Hamilton fell to the Ravens at No. 14, and hope that the same happens with Downs. However, teams clearly overthought Hamilton as a prospect after his sub-par athletic testing, and Downs, perhaps looking to avoid a similar fall, declined to participate this year. That may prevent the former Buckeye from making it to the 12th pick and force Dallas to trade up.
Bain, the Cowboys’ other priority target, was already seen as a potential faller after measuring in with sub-31-inch arms at the Combine. It does not seem that recent news of two careless driving citations will tank his stock, but length concerns may be enough to drop him out of the top five.
Dallas re-signed Sam Williams and traded for Rashan Gary to strengthen their edge rusher room this offseason, but they could stand to add a young, high-upside talent in this draft. 2025 second-round Donovan Ezeiruaku disappointed as a rookie, and while he still has potential, he may not have the same All-Pro ceiling as Bain.
49ers Likely To Make WR Draft Addition
San Francisco’s receiver depth chart has undergone a number of changes so far this offseason. More could be coming in the form of a Brandon Aiyuk trade or release, though nothing has been finalized on that front.
With Aiyuk not expected to be back in the fold and Jauan Jennings destined to sign elsewhere in free agency, the 49ers will be led at the WR spot by Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in 2026. Evans’ pact essentially consists of a one-year commitment in terms of guaranteed money, while Kirk’s only covers next season. Taking a wideout in next week’s draft would thus be a feasible approach on the part of general manager John Lynch and Co.
“I don’t know about early, but we’re certainly in the business of adding good players,” Lynch said (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner) when asked about adding a rookie receiver. “I think at that position, the way these guys [are getting paid], it’s probably healthy business to try to add them as much as you can in these drafts.”
The 49ers have veteran Demarcus Robinson in place in addition to Evans and Kirk, but otherwise their WR depth chart is lacking in experience. Ricky Pearsall, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing are among the younger players in the fold for San Francisco. Making another draft investment would add further depth to the mix while allowing for one or both of Evans and Kirk to be replaced in 2027.
The 49ers’ top selection is No. 27. They are one of several teams which has hosted Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit, although the Washington product may not be on the board by that point given the pre-draft buzz surrounding him. San Francisco’s other options at this point consist of a second-round pick and four in the fourth round. Using one of those selections on a wideout could allow the team to take advantage of the perceived depth at the position while leaving round one for more immediate roster needs.
Falcons, Texans Host DE Zion Young
The Falcons‘ tandem of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. enjoyed strong rookie seasons. Walker will be a key figure for 2026 and beyond, but Pearce’s future is uncertain given the felony charges he faces.
Given the fact Pearce’s Atlanta tenure may end soon, making another early draft investment along the edge could be a key priority for the team. The trade which allowed for Pearce to be selected cost the Falcons their 2026 first-round pick, though, so the top prospects at the position will not be available when they are first on the clock.
Atlanta recently hosted Zion Young on a pre-draft visit, as noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Missouri product is one of several pass rushers likely to be taken sometime between the latter stages of the first round and the middle of the second round. The Falcons’ top pick is No. 48, although general manager Ian Cunningham is among those looking to add picks by trading down. If that does not prove to be the case for the second round, Young could be an option.
After two years at Michigan State, Young transferred to Missouri. During his two years with the Tigers, he continued to develop as a disruptive presence against the run and pass. Young totaled nine sacks and 22 tackles for loss during his time in the SEC, and his combination of length and high-energy play style figures to make him an attractive option for any number of teams. While concerns about his athleticism have been raised, Young has already drawn interest from the Dolphins and Bears.
The Texans also recently met with Young, Rapoport adds. Houston owns pick No. 28 but also a pair of second-round selections. The team may view No. 38 as a realistic spot to make a pass rush addition. That may not be the most pressing positional need given the presence of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but bringing in affordable depth could prove to be key from a financial standpoint. Anderson is a candidate to reset the EDGE market with his second contract, so pairing him with a cost-controlled player as a Hunter successor would be a logical approach.
Like any number of prospects on the fringe of the Day 1 order, Young’s range will be interesting to monitor over the coming days. In any event, teams like the Falcons and Texans could represent a landing spot in this case.
CB Mansoor Delane To Visit Commanders, Bengals, Ravens
As expected, Mansoor Delane remains one of the busiest prospects on the pre-draft circuit. The LSU corner has a trio of visits lined up for the near future.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Delane will meet with the Commanders, Bengals and Ravens as his final top-30 visits. Tomorrow marks the deadline for such visits to take place around the league before teams finalize their draft board. Each of Washington, Cincinnati and Baltimore are set to select in the top half of the first round.
The Commanders own pick No. 7, although they are among the teams in the top 10 which are open to moving down the board. The Bengals’ top selection is 10th overall, while the Ravens own No. 14. Given Delane’s status as one of the consensus top two cornerback prospects in the 2026 class, he is unlikely to have a long wait before hearing his name called on Day 1.
Delane has met with several other teams near the top of the draft order in recent weeks. The Giants (who own pick No. 5) are looking into their CB options, and that process has included hosting Delane. The three-year Virginia Tech product flashed considerable potential during his time in the ACC. A transfer to LSU produced the desired results and elevated his draft stock even further, though.
Delane notched a pair of interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 2025. That production helped him earn first-team All-American honors and cement his status as one of the top prospects for this year’s draft. Jermod McCoy – who missed all of last season to an ACL tear – is viewed as a contender to be the first corner off the board based on his level of play in 2024. Even in that event, Delane will be expected to make an immediate impact at the NFL level for whichever team selects him.
The Commanders and Bengals are seen as being in need of upgrades in the secondary to a greater extent than the Ravens (who may need to trade up to land one of the top CBs). If any of those teams have the opportunity to select Delane, their consideration will be informed in large part by how his upcoming visits play out.
Commanders Open To Trading Down
The Commanders currently own six picks in the upcoming draft. Only two of those are within the first 146 selections, however, and Washington is a team in need of rookie additions at several spots.
As such, a move down the board on Day 1 could be something to watch for. As ESPN’s John Keim and Jordan Reid write, the Commanders’ preference would be a small trade down the first-round order to add a Day 2 pick. Washington is positioned to select seventh overall in a draft lacking in star power and high-end quarterback prospects. GM Adam Peters has conceded that will likely make it challenging to generate a market with respect to teams moving up into the top 10.
Nevertheless, the Cowboys could be prepared to execute a trade from No. 12 up the order. The possibility of an intra-divisional swap could make for an interesting storyline as the countdown to the draft continues. In any case, Peters and Co. face the challenge of adding impact rookies to one of the league’s oldest rosters with limited draft capital.
To no surprise, Reid adds receiver and cornerback are positions Washington is likely to target early in the draft. Dyami Brown and Van Jefferson have been added in free agency, but Deebo Samuel remains unsigned and little movement has taken place recently on the Brandon Aiyuk front. That could leave the Commanders with the possibility of selecting Carnell Tate if he is still available at No. 7 and no strong trade-up offers emerge.
Washington has added Amik Robertson and Ahkello Witherspoon on the open market at the cornerback spot. Marshon Lattimore is still a free agent, though, while Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene departed in March. Each of the 2026 class’ top CB prospects are likely to be on the board when the Commanders make their first selection. As a result, drafting Mansoor Delane or Jermod McCoy could receive strong consideration.
The Laremy Tunsil trade deprived Washington of its own selection in the second and fourth rounds in the 2026 draft. The Commanders should still be able to add a few notable rookies to the mix, but efforts on Peters’ part to acquire additional picks are likely to pick up over the coming days.