The Dallas Cowboys have long wanted to upgrade the No. 2 wide receiver position opposite CeeDee Lamb. That’s why they traded for Brandin Cooks during the 2023 offseason and added Jonathan Mingo via trade last offseason. But neither player has adequately filled that role, and Dallas was hopeful they could address it in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Tetairoa McMillan was a likely target at No. 12, but when he went off the board to Carolina at No. 8, the Cowboys decided to pass on wide receiver altogether during the draft. The Cowboys had been speaking with the Steelers before the draft about a potential trade for George Pickens, but once they failed to select a single receiver, a trade made even more sense.