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Howdy Reader,
Welcome In. The Steelers traded George Pickens to Dallas and our Bob Harris has the scoop. These stories are often about way more than just the players who move and this one is no different. Dive in.
Plus our Mauricio Gutierrez has a new feature and we also dive into IDP Rookies with a Staff Mock Draft.
Plus the News and Notes.
Let's Go.
J
PS. The Post-Draft Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide is LIVE! Version 3 includes team fits, updated depth charts, and — for the first time — the Post-Draft Bloom 100. It’s available exclusively for ELITE, HALL OF FAME, and G.O.A.T. subscribers and built to give you the edge in every rookie draft.
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Fresh Pickens In Dallas
The Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a trade Wednesday that will send Pickens to Dallas for a 2026 third-round pick. The Cowboys will also send a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers and get back a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Lamb will continue to dominate the targets in Dallas, but Pickens will get an upgrade with Dak Prescott at quarterback. Pickens should be viewed as a WR3 with upside in his new home.
-- Bob Harris
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📣 Voice Of The Footballguy 🎤
📊 POLL RESULTS: In our last issue of the Daily Update, we asked you Footballguys:
Which rookie RB takes control of his backfield first?
And the Footballguy says: I trust TreVeyon Henderson more than the Patriots do.
TODAY: Clayton Gray’s deep dive into how player values are shifting in high-stakes NFFC drafts reveals one clear trend — quarterbacks are climbing.
Among the biggest movers this week: Lamar Jackson surged 6 spots, Jayden Daniels climbed 4, and Bo Nix jumped 8. But which of these rising QBs most deserves the boost?
So today, we ask you Footballguys:
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When you vote in the Poll below, you'll see the current standings, and we'll post the final results in the next edition of the Daily Update.
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| 🗳️POLL: Where Will George Pickens Finish Among Fantasy WRs in 2025? |
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Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick were acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday, May 7, in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Our view: The Cowboys' search for a No. 2 wide receiver opposite Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb is over. Lamb will continue to dominate the targets in Dallas, but Pickens will get an upgrade with Dak Prescott at quarterback. Pickens should be viewed as a WR3 with upside in his new home.
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Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert agreed to a revised deal that includes a $10 million salary (down from $14 million) with $1 million in possible incentives.
Our view: A 2018 second-round pick out of South Dakota State, Goedert was the subject of trade talks this offseason. He's started 76 games for the Eagles, compiling 349 catches for 4,085 yards and 24 touchdowns. He had 42 catches for 496 yards and two scores in 10 games during the regular season in 2024 and led the team in receptions (17) and receiving yards (215) during their Super Bowl run in the postseason. Injuries have kept him from reaching his full potential in Philadelphia. He's missed three or more games in each of the last three seasons. That history and his uncertain future with the club (at least until today) explain Goedert's TE17 Average Draft Position in early Underdog best-ball drafts.
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Fantasy Fallout After the Steelers Trade George Pickens to the Cowboys
By Bob Harris - Exclusive to Footballguys
The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Premium Subscriptions, and you'll get all of our content. We're so sure you'll love it that we have an industry-leading 30-day MoneyBack Guarantee, so there's zero risk.
The Cowboys finalized a trade to acquire Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Fantasy Football Impact
The 24-year-old Pickens will pair up with CeeDee Lamb, giving Dallas the No. 2 receiver they've sought this offseason. They could form a long-term duo if all goes well, with Pickens heading into just his fourth NFL season.
After being selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pickens led Pittsburgh in receiving yards in 2023 and 2024. In 14 games last season, he caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns. He missed three games with a hamstring injury late in the season but returned in time for the playoffs, where he added five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh's 28-14 loss in the Wild Card round to the Ravens.
The 2023 season in Pittsburgh was Pickens' best in the NFL, with 1,140 receiving yards on 63 receptions and five touchdowns, all career highs. He accomplished this feat with three different starting quarterbacks: Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky.
So why are the Steelers moving on?
NFL.com notes that following the acquisition of DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, it seemed feasible that Pittsburgh could move Pickens -- like Metcalf, a big-play receiver specializing in contested catches.
In addition, ESPN.com reminded readers that Pickens missed three games in 2024 because of a hamstring strain and had several on-field incidents. Pickens was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct in a Week 13 win against the Bengals. A week earlier, he was involved in a scuffle with Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II during a Hail Mary attempt.
"He's just got to grow up, man," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the win over the Bengals. "This is an emotional game, man. These divisional games are big. He's got a target on his back because he's George; he understands that. But he's got to grow up. He's got to grow up in a hurry."
Pickens will try to achieve that growth in Dallas, working alongside Lamb with Dak Prescott as his quarterback.
But they'll need more than that. The Cowboys will eventually need to open their checkbook to keep the newcomer.
Pickens enters the final year of his four-year rookie contract. He's due to make $3.526 million. Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio wrote: "It will be impossible for the Cowboys to justify paying Pickens without seeing him play, especially since they still haven't paid a dominant defensive player they have seen play for four years. Pickens necessarily gets in line behind Micah Parsons, and perhaps others like 2022 first-round guard Tyler Smith."
Even if they decide to keep Pickens, it will be hard for him to get what he reportedly wants -- $30 million per year. Combined with the deal Lamb signed last year (that pays an average of $34 million annually), that would be a lot of money to invest in the receiver position.
CONTINUED...
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3. DAL: George Pickens not looking for deal yet
Source: DLLS Sports via X.com - Clarence Hill Jr.
Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens is not looking to sign a contract extension at this point because he wants to show he can be a top receiver for a team, according to a source.
Our view: Pickens enters the final year of his four-year rookie contract. He's due to make $3.526 million. Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio wrote: "It will be impossible for the Cowboys to justify paying Pickens without seeing him play, especially since they still haven't paid a dominant defensive player they have seen play for four years (in Micah Parsons)." Even if they decide to keep Pickens, it will be hard for him to get what he reportedly wants -- $30 million per year. Combined with the deal CeeDee Lamb signed last year (that pays an average of $34 million annually), that would be a lot of money to invest in the receiver position. Still, it's something the Cowboys and their new receiver can work out over time.
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4. NO: Derek Carr injury update
Source: NFL Network via X.com - Jane Slater
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (shoulder) reportedly wants to try to play through the shoulder injury he believes he suffered in Week 14 of last season, according to NFL Network's Jane Slater. Per Slater, Carr has met with the team doctor twice in recent weeks and did not know the shoulder was hurt before because he only resumed throwing a football a few weeks ago as he began to ramp up for offseason work.
Our view: There is no timeline for a decision, but Slater reported one is expected "sooner rather than later." For those just getting up to speed on this, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported last month that Carr's shoulder ailment (on his throwing arm) could put his 2025 campaign at risk. The 34-year-old is reportedly reluctant to undergo surgery after previously having a procedure on the same arm. With Carr's status for 2025 in limbo, the Saints' QB room is currently stocked with 2023 fourth-rounder Jake Haener and 2024 fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler, who each started in Carr's place last season, along with rookie second-rounder Tyler Shough. Stay tuned. We'll be watching this one closely.
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5. MIA: Another surgery for Tyreek Hill
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) underwent a second surgery on his wrist Wednesday, May 7, but it will not change his recovery time because the surgery was part of the original plan, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
Our view: Hill had surgery in February to repair an injury he played through during the 2024 season. He posted pictures, via David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, from a surgical bed to social media on Tuesday. Hill captioned one of the Snapchat photos, "surgery #2," and another showed him with his wrist bandaged with the caption, "mission successful." Marcel-Louis Jacques of ESPN.com confirmed that Hill had screws removed from his wrist in a procedure that was part of his initial treatment plan. Word at the time of the initial surgery was that Hill would be ready to go for training camp, and there's no sign that anything has changed on that front.
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6. JAX: Gabe Davis released
Source: ESPN via X.com - Adam Schefter
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Gabe Davis was released Wednesday, May 7.
Our view: Davis signed a three-year contract with the team as a free agent last offseason, but the Jaguars have changed their head coach and general manager since he arrived, and the move makes it clear he no longer had a spot in the team’s plans. Jacksonville also released wide receiver Josh Reynolds and tight end Evan Engram in March. They traded wide receiver Christian Kirk and signed wide receiver Dyami Brown before trading up to take Travis Hunter with the second overall pick in the draft. Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. will be the top fantasy prospects in this offense. Davis had 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games for the Jags.
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7. DEN: Pat Bryant under contract
Source: 9News via X.com - Mike Klis
Denver Broncos third-round draft choice WR Pat Bryant agreed to terms on a four-year contract with the Broncos Wednesday, May 7, according to a source. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our view: Courtland Sutton, 30, is heading into the final year of his contract, and Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele are good complementary players. But Denver needed to address this position and add a target for quarterback Bo Nix. While the Broncos have compared Bryant to one of head coach Sean Payton's best players in New Orleans, Michael Thomas, the rookie has work to do to break into the rotation.
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8. NYG: Cam Skattebo may be part of passing game
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
New York Giants RB Cam Skattebo is expected to be used as a receiver out of the backfield this upcoming season because the team likes how he tracks the ball.
Our view: Skattebo was our highest-ranked running back heading into Day 3 of the Draft. He was the pre-draft RB6 on the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide 2.0 Running Back Rankings. He also landed on the team with his best opportunity for playing time. The Giants had Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary as their two running backs last season. According to Pro Football Focus, the Giants earned the fourth-fewest rushing yards from their running backs at 1,307 and the third-fewest first downs at 64. One of the Giants' problems has been their offensive line. Skattebo was one of the best running backs on non-perfectly blocked runs at ASU last year and one of the best at converting first downs. If the Giants trust him to handle more than between-the-tackles work, there is a chance Skattebo becomes the Giants' lead running back sooner rather than later.
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9. PIT: Allen Lazard an option for PIT?
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio
New York Jets WR Allen Lazard could be a possible trade option for the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a source.
Our view: Why Lazard? It's because Aaron Rodgers completely trusts him. And Lazard, for whatever reason, performs much better with Rodgers than he does without him. Of course, all this hinges on Rodgers signing with the Steelers at some point. If that happens, it's worth noting that Lazard recently slashed his 2025 salary from $11 million to $2.5 million, with $1.75 million guaranteed. That would be a bargain for the Steelers, who suddenly have a hole on the depth chart behind DK Metcalf after trading George Pickens to the Cowboys earlier today.
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10. DEN: Alex Singleton optimistic about Week 1
Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams
Denver Broncos LB Alex Singleton (knee) said he is on track in his recovery from knee injury and believes he will be ready to play Week 1.
Our view: Singleton played 190 defensive snaps last season, with 49 coming after he tore an anterior cruciate ligament. Singleton injured his knee on the eighth play of the Week 3 win over the Buccaneers on Sept. 22. He didn't miss a snap in the game, but the injury did end the rest of his season. But Singleton, LB20 on the Footballguys Projections, has worked with the Broncos' vice president of player health and performance, Beau Lowery, every day since his surgery on Oct. 15. He posted a video to his Instagram of him running full speed. "Let's just say we're in a really good spot," Singleton said. "You get three more months. Three more. So we're good."
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That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being a Footballguy. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update.
Peace,
J
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey
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