Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith: George Pickens should stay in Dallas for the ‘opportunity to build’ – Joseph Hoyt, Dallas Morning News
Will George Pickens takes Emmitt Smith’s advice?
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pickens after he set a career high in yards, catches and touchdowns in his first year with the Cowboys. The Pro Bowl receiver picked a great time to have one of the best receiving seasons in the league last year. Now, he wants to get paid accordingly. Because of the tag, however, Pickens has been limited to negotiations with the Cowboys. As of now, those negotiations haven’t taken off.
The Cowboys and Pickens have
until July 15 to negotiate a long-term extension. If they can’t, then Pickens can only play on a one-year deal with the Cowboys worth roughly $27.3 million.
When Smith, speaking with The Dallas Morning News on Tuesday before an appearance at SMU for his “Ready to Rescue” campaign, was told the one-year compensation for Pickens at the current rate, his eyes went big.
He then said Pickens should be motivated to go out and do what he did this past season for an encore.
Smith also had more advice for Pickens.
“And I’m telling you George: you’re not going to go to too many places that’s going to be like Dallas, or Texas,” Smith said. “You can go to Florida somewhere: who down in Florida is going to throw you the football?”
‘They’re just not doing it’ – Dallas Cowboys insider shuts down popular first-round scenario ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft – Mauricio Rodriguez, AtoZ Sports
One vote against Jermod McCoy.
It’s anyone’s guess what the Dallas Cowboys do or don’t do in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft but multiple insiders continue to rule out a popular scenario that’s been mocked for months now.
And it happens to involve one of the most talented prospects in this year’s class.
Cowboys not picking Jermod McCoy at No. 12 overall, says insider
Cowboys insider Bobby Belt recently discussed Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy during a segment on 105.3 The Fan, and he vehemently shut down the idea that Dallas could pick him at No. 12 overall.
“The big contingent that exists right now is saying ‘just sit there and take Jermod McCoy,’ and I love that y’all love him, but (the Cowboys) are not taking him at 12,” Belt said on the air. “They’re just not doing it.”
McCoy’s film shows true CB1 potential, displaying sticky coverage, ball skills, and top-notch explosiveness. However, a torn ACL that kept him from playing in the 2025 season means his film comes from 2024.
NFL insider explains how Caleb Downs can fall to Cowboys – RJ Ochoa, Blogging The Boys
Caleb Downs is a no-brainer if he falls to 12.
Peter Schrager explained his mock draft in depth
Recently we had the chance to talk to Schrager, just a day after his recent mock where he sent Caleb Downs to the Cowboys at 12 overall. It is particularly interesting that he of all people would mock Downs to Dallas as he has nailed the Cowboys’ first-round pick in each of the last two years.
Here is Schrager’s logic.
“So last year when I had Booker going in the first round I caused a lot of problems with Cowboys fans saying there is no way they’re certainly not taking offensive line and then they took offensive line because I knew that they loved him. Downs, I look at their new defensive coordinator, and I look at what his specialty is… it’s defensive backs. And I’m telling you I know Christian. He is a 34-year old who is all about creativity, high energy, and smarts. Caleb Downs… Matt Patricia told me… when he joins whatever team he joins he will immediately be the smartest player on that defense and the face of the franchise.”
“No one thought he could possibly slip out of the top 10. I look at this draft and I look at the positions and the values and what these teams need. Safety has almost been a luxury for a lot of these teams as they view the draft and I point to Kyle Hamilton. Supposed to be a top 10 pick, goes 14. Derwin James. Supposed to be a top 10 pick, goes 18. You look at any mock draft last year… Nick Emmanwori was going in the first round. He falls to the second round. So by the trends I don’t necessarily think a team is going to take a safety in the top 10 above an elite corner, above an elite pass rusher, above a wide receiver, if they have needs at those positions.”
“The Cowboys have defensive back needs. I think it is a perfect fit and I think the match between new defensive coordinator and the way that he speaks, and I’ve known him for years, the way that he preaches versatility and the ability to play mulitple spots along that defensive backfield if needed… that’s everything Caleb Downs has been who we have been watching since he was at Alabama and been hearing about for it feels like a decade.”
“So to me Caleb Downs is the perfect fit and I think he might be there at 12.”
New name enters pre-draft chat as Cowboys host explosive CB for official 30 visit – Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire
Dallas continues to evaluate cornerbacks diligently.
After giving up a league-high 4,276 passing yards over the course of the 2025 season, the Cowboys found themselves suddenly wanting at the cornerback position, an area of true roster strength as recently as two years earlier.
Trevon Diggs, the two-time Pro Bowler and interceptions leader in 2021, had been unceremoniously cut before the end of the season. DaRon Bland, who had a record five pick-sizes in 2023, missed 10 games the next year and another five in 2025. Caelen Carson? Still proving himself. Shavon Revel? Promising but basically still a rookie. Josh Butler, Reddy Steward, Corey Ballentine, and Trikweze Bridges? Fine depth, but not enough to scare opposing air attacks.
This year’s college prospects offer some high-end talent at the cornerback spot, and the Cowboys seem poised to use one of their two first-round selections to address the need.
Now nearing the end of a pre-draft cycle that has seen heavy buzz around LSU’s Mansoor Delane, Clemson’s Avieon Terrell, and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood all being possible targets in Dallas, a new name has entered the chat with just two weeks to go before the commissioner starts giving out bro-hugs on stage in Pittsburgh.
South Carolina corner Brandon Cisse visited with the Cowboys on Tuesday, as reported by ESPN’s Jordan Reid. The meeting counts as one of the Cowboys’ official 30 pre-draft visits. The team also formally met with him at the scouting combine in Indianapolis in February.
