Sometimes a football team doesn’t need to look very far to find a possible trade partner. The Dallas Cowboys are sitting at 2-4, trying to decide whether they can still make a run this season or should start thinking about the future. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams have a receiver problem of their own. That combination could make for an interesting conversation before the NFL trade deadline.

The name to watch is George Pickens. He’s playing on the franchise tag in Dallas, and his production hasn’t matched last season’s breakout numbers. With the Rams looking for help after Davante Adams suffered a ruptured hamstring, Pickens is an intriguing possibility. But whether the Cowboys are ready to let him go is another question.

Why Pickens Could Interest the Rams

Pickens was a big-time playmaker in 2025, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honours, showing what he can do when things click. This season, he has 33 catches for 428 yards and one touchdown through six games. That’s a noticeable drop, but it doesn’t erase the talent he’s shown.

The Rams already have a strong passing attack with Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua, but Adams’ injury creates a hole. Adding Pickens could give Stafford another dangerous target and give the receiver a chance to get back on track in a new offence. Los Angeles is reportedly exploring receiver trades, and general manager Les Snead has never been shy about making an aggressive move. The challenge is the price. Pickens’ $27.3 million franchise tag makes him an expensive rental, even if the Rams would only cover the remaining portion of his salary.

Dallas Has a Decision to Make

For the Cowboys, this isn’t quite so simple. At 2-4, they’re not necessarily out of the NFC East race, but they can’t afford to waste many more weeks. Owner Jerry Jones has indicated he would consider doing whatever it takes to help his team. If Dallas loses its next couple of games, the argument for turning Pickens into draft capital becomes stronger.

There’s another consideration: Pickens could leave in free agency after the season. Trading him now would give Dallas something in return rather than risk losing him for nothing. But the Cowboys also know what he can do alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. A short-term slump doesn’t mean his value has disappeared.

For now, Dallas has time to weigh its options. The Rams may have a reason to call, but the Cowboys don’t have to answer yes. The next couple of weeks could tell us whether Pickens remains part of Dallas’ plans or becomes one of the more interesting names to watch before the deadline.

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