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.
Will Anderson Jr. To Command $50MM AAV?
The Texans will focus on extending Will Anderson Jr. before the start of the 2026 season, but it will likely require a record-breaking AAV to do so. Albert Breer of SI.com observes the rapidly climbing contracts for edge rushers, and the writer believes Anderson’s next deal will likely come in at around $50MM annually.
This is a staggering figure, but it’s not completely unfounded. As Breer notes, the market was first revamped when Nick Bosa inked a deal worth a $34MM average annual value in 2023, topping the $28MM mark held by T.J. Watt. Maxx Crosby‘s deal boosted that AAV record to $35.5MM, but that was quickly jumped by Myles Garrett‘s $40MM annual earnings. Watt once again topped the list with his $41MM average annual value, and Micah Parsons eventually set the current record with his $46MM AAV.
Considering the $5MM jump from Watt’s deal to Parsons’ deal, Breer surmises that “it would be a stunner” if Anderson settles for anything less than $50MM per year. While the Texans could push against that record-breaking mark, Breer notes that the front office has shown a willingness to speed up negotiations and complete extensions quickly, as they did with Derek Stingley Jr.. Plus, Anderson embodies “the standard as a worker and a player” that coach DeMeco Ryans seeks. If the Texans were going to back up the Brink’s truck for any individual, it would be Anderson.
The third-overall pick in the 2023 draft, Anderson has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier edge rushers. He earned his first All-Pro nod and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2025 after tallying 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, 20 tackles for loss, and 23 QB hits. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the best edge defender in the sport last year, although he “only” ranked third at the position for his pass-rush ability.
While the Texans may be eager to hand Anderson a new deal, the optics may not sit well with their franchise QB. Anderson was the second of two-straight picks by the Texans in the 2023 draft, with the team using the second-overall pick on C.J. Stroud. It seems unlikely that the Texans will be as quick to extend the signal-caller, and assuming Anderson inks his deal, the situation would be “glaring,” per Breer. While Anderson’s next deal won’t necessarily price the Texans out of Stroud’s next contract, the team may think twice about paying the QB the $65MM or $70MM AAV he’ll surely command.
TE Kenyon Sadiq An Option For Buccaneers?
The Mike Evans-less Buccaneers are going to look different offensively in 2026. As part of their subtle offensive makeover, the team could look to add an intriguing spark to the unit.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the Buccaneers have “keyed in” on the tight end position ahead of the draft. That’s made Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq a “real possibility” for the organization at pick No. 15.
Sadiq is widely considered the top tight end prospect in the draft, and he’ll likely be the only player at his position selected on Day 1. The tight end saw a larger role with the Ducks in 2024, including a Big Ten Football Championship Game when he hauled in a pair of touchdowns. He had a true breakout in 2025, finishing with 51 catches for 560 yards and eight touchdowns.
Scouts have touted the Oregon star’s offensive tenacity, and his size and speed will make him an intriguing piece in an NFL offense. While scouts are similarly wary of his pass-blocking ability, teams generally value pass-catching prowess when it comes to first-round investments at the position.
The Buccaneers are among the squads that would consider the star TE. Cade Otton has led the depth chart for several years but has never emerged as a top-tier player at the position. The veteran been relatively steady, especially over the past two years, when he’s averaged 59 catches, 586 yards, and more than two touchdowns per season. Still, it’s hard to blame the Buccaneers for considering an upgrade, especially with Evans no longer around.
The organization somewhat prepared for Evans departure during the 2025 draft, when they added Emeka Egbuka with the 19th-overall pick. The Ohio State product finished his rookie season with 938 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and he’ll lead the pass-catching corps in 2026. With Chris Godwin hitting his twilight, Sadiq could join Egbuka and recent draft picks Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson as young pieces on Tampa Bay’s offense.
Colts Host North Dakota State QB Cole Payton
Daniel Jones revitalized his career in 2025, although his torn Achilles has put his immediate future in doubt. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson seems destined to be playing elsewhere in 2026. In other words, the Colts’ QBs room remains a major question mark, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the team is eyeing the position ahead of the draft.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Colts hosted North Dakota State QB Cole Payton on a visit today. This represents the second reported visit for the prospect, as the Steelers hosted Payton last month.
The quarterback was mostly used in rushing packages through his first four collegiate seasons. This was especially apparent during the 2023 campaign, when he had 84 rushing attempts (for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns) vs. only 27 pass attempts. However, he finally got a chance to start under center as a redshirt senior.
Anthony had a breakout campaign in 2025. He completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. While his rushing efficiency dropped a bit, he still managed to compile 777 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. That performance earned him a second-team All-MVFC nod.
Cole’s dual-threat ability and sturdy frame has put him on the NFL radar, and there were some rumblings in February that the QB was rising up draft boards. At the same time, scouts continue to question his passing mechanics and ability to read a defense. The North Dakota State product will surely hear his name called during the draft, but there’s a chance he falls all the way to Day 3.
If he does land with the Colts, that would likely make him a developmental piece, although that would still be an intriguing landing spot for the prospect. The Colts showed some faith in Jones by handing him a two-year, $88MM extension this offseason. However, the player’s iffy track record and current injury warrants some doubt about his long-term role atop the depth chart. There was once hope that Richardson would be the team’s long-term solution at the position, but the former fourth-overall pick has disappointed during his time in Indy, leading many to believe that he’ll be playing elsewhere in 2026.
That’s all to say that the Colts are a logical landing spot for a developmental QB. The team won’t immediately displace Jones with an early-round signal caller, but Payton would be a notable selection as someone who can quietly work on their game before eventually taking over the job.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/13/26
One minor moves to pass along:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Placed on reserve/retired list: OL Joshua Miles
Miles joined the Raiders practice squad back in December and was retained via a reserve/futures contract after the season. However, he’s now apparently calling it a career, as the organization placed the lineman on the reserve/retired list today.
The 2019 seventh-round pick out of Morgan State has bounced around the NFL over the past few years. Besides his recent stint with the Raiders, Miles also spent time with the Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, Bears, and Browns. He got into 17 games with the Cardinals between 2019 and 2021, although the majority of his snaps came on special teams.
Teams Expect OT Francis Mauigoa To Need Back Surgery
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa has emerged as the draft’s top offensive tackle prospect, although suitors expect that the lineman will eventually have to go under the knife. As Albert Breer of SI.com writes, teams believe Mauigoa will require a cleanup procedure on his back.
This report follows the prospect’s evaluation at the Indianapolis medical recheck. Breer notes that the player is currently symptom-free, so perhaps Mauigoa can delay his impending surgery until next offseason. Either way, it sounds like something the player and his NFL team will have to navigate.
Breer adds that Mauigoa partly earned his reputation due to his durability, as he didn’t miss a single snap for the Hurricanes after joining the school as a true freshman. He finished his Miami career with his most decorated season in 2025, as the lineman earned a number of honors, including first-team All-ACC, a consensus All-American nod, and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best blocker.
The six-foot-five, 329-pound prospect has been lauded by scouts for his (obvious) size and power. He’s expected to immediately be a dominant run blocker, although there are some questions about his pass-block ability. As a result, many draft pundits have assumed that Mauigoa is destined to play right tackle in the NFL. However, if a team used a top-10 selection on the Miami product, there’s a chance they’ll eventually see what he can do protecting the blind side.
Mauigoa is currently listed as the 10th-best prospect in the draft in NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s updated rankings. He’s gone as high as No. 3 to the Cardinals in several mock drafts, although the Giants (No. 5) and Browns (No. 6) have consistently been listed as the most common landing spots for the offensive tackle. While this recent revelation about a future surgery isn’t ideal, it probably won’t have any impact on the player’s draft stock.
South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse Meeting With Cowboys, Seahawks
While Brandon Cisse may be on the outside of the top-tier CB prospects, the South Carolina product is still generating plenty of interest ahead of the draft. According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Cisse met with the Cowboys earlier this week and is set to also visit the Seahawks.
The former three-star recruit spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at NC State before transferring to South Carolina for the 2025 campaign. He finished this year with 27 total tackles, an interception, and five passes defended, and he notably allowed catches on only 34.6% of his targets.
That performance vaulted him up draft boards, with scouts lauding his physical ability and upside. There are some rightful questions regarding his instincts, especially when it comes to positioning and route recognition, but his makeup has led many to believe the defensive back can be coached up in the NFL.
It’s still uncertain how high Cisse will rise up the ranks. Few pundits have him ranked above any of the top CB prospects, a grouping that includes Mansoor Delane, Jermod McCoy, and Colton Hood. At the very least, he’s destined to hear his name called in the first few rounds, and there’s a chance he’s even selected during the first day of the draft.
The Cowboys have two shots at the South Carolina cornerback, although the No. 20 pick would be a more realistic landing spot (or a trade back). Dallas has been seeking a long-term solution at CB, especially after they moved on from both Kaiir Elam and Trevon Diggs in 2025. The team’s only notable move at the position was adding Cobie Durant to a grouping of holdovers that includes DaRon Bland, Reddy Steward, Shavon Revel, and Caelen Carson. The Cowboys already hosted Delane, and perhaps their ability to snag the LSU CB with their No. 12 selection would influence their interest in Cisse.
The Seahawks and their No. 32 pick would be a logical suitor for Cisse. There were rumors last month that the front office could be targeting cornerbacks early in the draft. The Seahawks lost Riq Woolen in free agency, with Noah Igbinoghene being signed to soak up at least a portion of those snaps. Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe will still lead the CBs room heading into 2026, but an early-round addition would certainly help improve the team’s depth.
Panthers Host WR Denzel Boston
The Panthers have used their last two first-round picks on the wide receiver position. While it seems unlikely that they’d go that route again, the team is at least keeping an open mind as the draft quickly approaches. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Panthers hosted Washington WR Denzel Boston on a pre-draft visit today.
Boston played behind the likes of Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk during his first two years with the Huskies, but he finally had a chance to lead the depth chart in 2024. He had a breakout campaign that year, finishing with 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns. He didn’t take a significant leap during his senior season, but he still finished with a notable 62 catches for 881 yards and 11 scores.
Those performances were enough to put him on the NFL map. He’s definitively behind the likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Omar Cooper Jr., Jordyn Tyson, and KC Concepcion on most pundits’ draft boards, although there are some teams that reportedly have him ranked in the top two at his position.
There’s a chance he hears his name called on the first night of the draft, especially since he’s drawn interest from the Dolphins, Commanders, Steelers, 49ers, and Browns. Boston has generally been mocked towards the end of the first round or early in the second round, so it would be a slight reach if the Panthers selected him with the No. 19 pick.
The Panthers have focused on surrounding 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young with as much talent as possible in recent drafts. While 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette hasn’t lived up to his draft billing, the team did get a standout performance from 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, who earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after finishing with 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns.
It’s worth noting that McMillan played two collegiate seasons at Arizona under Jedd Fisch…who most recently spent two seasons coaching Boston at Washington. The Panthers may decide to take one more crack at that pipeline, especially if they’ve determined that Legette isn’t destined to be a top-end WR. Even if the team is still high on Legette, Boston could easily slide into a depth chart that otherwise features Jalen Coker, David Moore, and John Metchie.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/9/26
One minor move to pass along:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Haggai Ndubuisi
The Buccaneers have been busy, as they added a pair of cornerbacks earlier today. Now, they’ve added some defensive line depth in Haggai Ndubuisi. The lineman entered the NFL in 2022 as a participant in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, and he’s had brief stints with a long list of teams. He most recently spent the 2025 campaign on the Texans practice squad, although he did manage to make his NFL debut in Week 14. As Greg Auman of FOX Sports notes, Ndubuisi could be a candidate to be Tampa Bay’s International Pathway Program player.
NFL Announces 16 Prospects Attending NFL Draft
There will be 16 players waiting in the green room when the NFL Draft kicks off later this month. The NFL announced the following attendees for the first night of the draft (via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):
- LB David Bailey, Texas Tech
- DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
- DB Mansoor Delane, LSU
- DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- DB Colton Hood, Tennessee
- WR Makai Lemon, USC
- RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
- DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
- LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Of the 16 prospects invited to Day 1 of the draft, a whopping five of them are from one school: Ohio State. For comparison’s sake, the leader during last year’s draft was Alabama, who sent three prospects ot the green room. The Big Ten is the leading conference, with six prospects attending the first night of the draft.
Notably, expected first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza won’t be attending the draft, as the Indiana quarterback revealed that he’ll instead be celebrating with friends and family in Atlanta. That only leaves one signal-caller attending the event in Alabama’s Ty Simpson. There’s no guarantee that Simpson will even be selected on the first night of the draft, a situation we saw most recently when green-room attendee Jalen Milroe fell to the third round last year.