Cowboys add WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling amid uncertainty on George Pickens
TL;DR
The Dallas Cowboys have signed WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year deal amid uncertainty regarding George Pickens' status. Valdes-Scantling, 31, had a challenging previous season but showcased his potential with a strong average of 21.6 yards per catch in 2024.
Key points
- Dallas Cowboys signed WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Valdes-Scantling signed a one-year deal
- George Pickens' status is uncertain
- Valdes-Scantling had career lows last season
- He averaged 21.6 yards per catch in 2024
The Dallas Cowboys are adding a little additional help in their receiving amid uncertainty about George Pickens' status.
On Monday, April 27, the Cowboys agreed to a one-year deal with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, according to multiple reports.
Valdez-Scantling, 31, recorded career lows of 14 catches for 120 yards last season, playing five games apiece for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2024, however, he flexed his field-stretching ability by averaging 21.6 yards per catch.
The veteran figures to be a depth piece for a receiving corps lacking clarity on one of its most potent weapons.
More: Cowboys defense can't get much worse. NFL draft help should make it better | Opinion
Pickens has yet to sign his franchise tender but still plans to, ESPN reported Monday. Doing so will guarantee the Pro Bowl pass catcher $27.3 million next season but also subject him to fines if he misses mandatory minicamp or training camp.
Though Pickens can be traded once he signs his tender, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on April 23 the team had no intention of moving the target, who led Dallas in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdown catches (nine) in 2025.
"We have no intention of moving George," Jones said after Day 1 of the NFL draft wrapped up Thursday night. "In our mind, we're fired up about it. Ready to come in here and sign his tender, in our mind, that means go to work."
One day earlier, the Cowboys revealed they would not engage with Pickens in any discussions on a long-term contract extension prior to the end of next season.
- Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
- New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
- Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
- New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
- Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
- New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
- Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
- Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
- Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
- Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
- Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
- Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
- Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
- Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
- Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
- Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
- Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
- Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
- Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
- Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
- Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
- New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
- Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
- Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
- Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
1 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
1 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
2 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
3 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
4 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
5 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
6 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
7 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
8 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
9 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
10 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
11 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
12 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
13 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
14 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
15 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
16 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
17 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
18 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
19 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
20 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
21 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
22 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
23 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
24 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) − WR KC Concepcion, Texas A&M
25 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Chicago Bears − S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
26 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Houston Texans (from Bills) − G Keylan Rutledge
27 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Dolphins (from 49ers) − CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
28 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills) − OT Caleb Lomu, Utah
29 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Chiefs (from Rams) − DT Peter Woods, Clemson
30 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Jets (from Denver Broncos via Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers) − WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana
31 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Titans (from Patriots via Buffalo Bills) − DE Keldric Faulk, Auburn
32 / 32
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks, from No. 1 to No. 32
- Seattle Seahawks − RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Carnell Tate of Ohio State shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell celebrates after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Mansoor Delane of LSU hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sonny Styles of Ohio State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
1 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
The NFL Draft regularly produces its most memorable moments off the stage, when selections end with a handshake or embrace from the commissioner.
See the moments when draft night emotions peak as Roger Goodell greets players hearing their names called.
Above, Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey embraces NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after he is selected by the New York Jets as the number two pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
2 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Carnell Tate of Ohio State shakes hands with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell celebrates after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Mansoor Delane of LSU hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
5 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Sonny Styles of Ohio State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
6 / 6
Roger Goodell shares hugs with players on the NFL draft stage
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State hugs with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cowboys sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling amid George Pickens uncertainty
Q&A
What is the significance of Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing with the Cowboys?
Marquez Valdes-Scantling's signing provides the Cowboys with additional depth in their receiving corps, especially with George Pickens' status uncertain.
How did Marquez Valdes-Scantling perform last season?
Last season, Valdes-Scantling recorded career lows with only 14 catches for 120 yards, playing for both the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
What are the expectations for Marquez Valdes-Scantling in 2024?
In 2024, Valdes-Scantling is expected to leverage his field-stretching ability, having averaged 21.6 yards per catch, to contribute to the Cowboys' offense.
What does George Pickens' uncertainty mean for the Cowboys' receiving corps?
George Pickens' uncertain status creates a need for reliable options, making Valdes-Scantling's addition critical for bolstering the Cowboys' receiving group.
