Dallas acquired George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick…
Dallas acquired George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth. Pickens immediately delivered 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, earning Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition. Pittsburgh used the third-round choice, No. 76, on quarterback Drew Allar, leaving its long-term return dependent on a rookie passer and a future pick.
Dallas Cowboys Received
- player George Pickens
- pick 2027 sixth-round pick
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- pick 2026 third-round pick, No. 76 overall, used on Drew Allar
- pick 2027 fifth-round pick
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
In May 2025, Dallas acquired wide receiver George Pickens and Pittsburgh's 2027 sixth-round choice. The Steelers received Dallas' 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. The 2026 third became No. 76 overall, and Pittsburgh used it on quarterback Drew Allar. The future fifth and sixth remain unresolved draft value as of August 2026.
Why Dallas Made the Move
The Cowboys needed another high-end receiver next to CeeDee Lamb and acquired Pickens before his age-24 season. The price did not include a first- or second-round choice, so Dallas was betting that a talented player entering a contract year could provide immediate impact without sacrificing its most valuable draft capital.
The Immediate Dallas Return
Pickens delivered far beyond ordinary secondary-receiver production. In 17 games during 2025, he caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He earned a Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro recognition. That season alone gave Dallas a substantial return on the third-round pick it surrendered.
What Pittsburgh Received
The Steelers converted the 2026 third-round choice into Allar, a developmental quarterback prospect. They also hold the 2027 fifth-round pick, which means the full Pittsburgh return cannot yet be measured. Moving Pickens also reflected the club's willingness to cash out a talented player rather than navigate his next contract.
Why the Verdict Can Still Move
Allar has not played a regular-season NFL game, and the 2027 selections have not been made. If he becomes a long-term starter, Pittsburgh's side could appreciate dramatically. The current grade therefore recognizes future upside without pretending that projection equals established production.
Final Verdict
Dallas leads with an A because Pickens immediately became a 1,400-yard Pro Bowl receiver for a modest premium-pick cost. Pittsburgh's B-minus remains respectable because Allar and the future fifth could create lasting value, but the known results currently favor the Cowboys by a clear margin.