George Pickens franchise tag news should put Makai Lemon in play for Cowboys at pick 12

TL;DR

The Dallas Cowboys will have George Pickens play on a franchise tag for the 2026 season, ending hopes for a long-term deal. This decision may open the door for the Cowboys to consider drafting Makai Lemon with their 12th pick.

Key points

Dallas Cowboys placed a franchise tag on George Pickens
Pickens will play under the franchise tag in 2026
No plans for a long-term contract extension
Makai Lemon may be targeted with the 12th pick

Dallas CowboysGeorge PickensMakai Lemon

George Pickens franchise tag news should put Makai Lemon in play for Cowboys at pick 12 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Cowboys' front office, led by owner and general manager Jerry Jones, held a pre-draft press conference on Wednesday and revealed some major news regarding wide receiver George Pickens' contract situation.

Dallas decided to slap the non-exclusive franchise tag on Pickens earlier this offseason in hopes of eventually coming to an agreement on a long-term deal. However, that no longer seems like a possibility after the franchise's press conference.

Cowboys announce Pickens will play on franchise tag in 2026

Executive vice president Stephen Jones announced that Pickens will be playing on the franchise tag this upcoming season, and the Cowboys have no plans to engage in an extension with the star receiver. Dallas informed Pickens' agent of their decision to stop contract talks last week.

It is worth noting that Pickens hasn't officially signed his franchise tag with Dallas, and it's unknown when he will. There's a solid chance the 25-year-old ends up holding out of summer activities and even training camp.

Pickens had a breakout season in 2025 in his first season with the Cowboys, posting 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 93 receptions. The Georgia product also snagged 11 receptions over 20 yards, establishing himself as an explosive playmaker for quarterback .

Q&A

Why did the Cowboys place a franchise tag on George Pickens?

The Cowboys placed a franchise tag on George Pickens to retain him for the upcoming season while they explored the possibility of a long-term deal.

What does the franchise tag mean for George Pickens' future with the Cowboys?

The franchise tag means George Pickens will play for the Cowboys in 2026 under a one-year contract, with no current plans for a long-term extension.

How does George Pickens' franchise tag affect the Cowboys' draft strategy?

With George Pickens on a franchise tag, the Cowboys may focus on drafting Makai Lemon with their 12th pick to strengthen their receiving corps.