Jets named best landing spot for 1,400-yard WR despite franchise tag rumors

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is expected to be at the top of most free agent big boards entering the offseason, and for obvious reasons.

He's coming off a career year where he racked up 1,429 yards on 93 receptions and nine touchdowns, and the New York Jets, with their roughly $83 million in cap space to work with, should absolutely be keeping an eye on Pickens' market.

Unfortunately for New York, it doesn't seem like they'll be able to outright sign him. The Cowboys intend to franchise tag Pickens in the coming weeks, according to NFL Network, locking him in on a one-year, fully guaranteed salary at $28.8 million.

But that doesn't mean there isn't a scenario where the Jets could use their plethora of draft capital to swing a trade for the talented wideout.

PFF names Jets best landing spot for George Pickens

In the same report from NFL Network, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo noted that "a tag-and-trade scenario is considered a possibility," should Pickens and Dallas not come to terms on a long-term extension.

Enter the Jets, who hold four picks in the first two rounds in the 2026 draft and three first-round picks in the 2027 draft, including one that could belong to the Cowboys.

If Darren Mougey and Aaron Glenn feel Pickens is the missing piece that could take their offense to the next level, there aren't many other teams that could deal for the Pro Bowl wide receiver, and they should consider it.

PFF seems to think that's why the Jets are the best landing spot for Pickens, and also mentioned the fact that the two franchises seem to have a positive working relationship, thanks to last year's trade deadline deal of star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

A pairing of Garrett Wilson and Pickens could be exactly what New York needs to make their offense foolproof for any incoming quarterback. The two wide receivers complement each other's skill sets incredibly well.

According to PFF, Pickens is in the 80th percentile of contested catch rate, meaning when you throw it in his direction, there's a really good chance he's going to come down with the ball. Just ask Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott how reliable a target he was for Dallas this past season.

Wilson, on the other hand, is in the 81st percentile of open-target percentage, meaning on any given play, the former Offensive Rookie of the Year has a good chance of getting open. The receiver tandem would be reminiscent of the Pickens-Ceedee Lamb pairing the Cowboys had in 2025.

If Dallas and Pickens are unable to come to terms on a long-term extension, which is incredibly likely considering the Cowboys are projected to have -$29 million in cap space entering the offseason, the Jets should do their due diligence to see if they can land one of the best wide receivers in the NFL this past year.

Spotrac projects Pickens to land a four-year, $122.4 million deal in March, and the Jets may be the only team with the cap space and draft capital to facilitate a trade.