THE TAKE
I love the Jones family. They know how to make news! Stephen Jones did not have to announce to the world that the @dallascowboys would not negotiate with George Pickens, but if I know them it was with intention.
It’s a signal that Dallas’ draft could consist of a wide receiver beings drafted & George Pickens being moved! This team needs to improve in so many ways. They’ve now added to the draft intrigue.
#FirstTake #GeorgePickens #DallasCowboys #StephenJones #NFLDraft
BOLDNESS
50/100
GRADE
22/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
George Pickens
GRADING CRITERIA
TRUE IF
(1) the Dallas Cowboys select a wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft AND (2) George Pickens is traded away from the Cowboys, both occurring before or during the 2026 NFL Draft weekend. Take is
FALSE IF
either condition is not met — e.g., Pickens remains on the roster post-draft or no WR is drafted.
vaguehot take
OUTCOME
PARTIALLY TRUEThe Cowboys did draft a wide receiver (Anthony Smith, ECU, pick #218 in the 7th round), satisfying condition one — though it was a deep depth pick rather than a meaningful signal. However, George Pickens was NOT traded during the draft; he signed his franchise tag and remained on the Cowboys roster, with Stephen Jones explicitly stating no trade intention. The take's core thesis — that the announcement was a signal of a Pickens trade — proved false.