Most of the biggest rumors at the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft centered around the Cowboys’ apparent desire to acquire an AFC North wide receiver via a draft-day trade — which we now know ended with George Pickens. But according to one insider, Dallas had another player in mind as well.
According to Jordan Schultz on social media, the Pickens trade almost didn’t happen, as the Cowboys initially showed interest in a Ravens wide receiver:
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“During their pursuit of a receiver, the Cowboys also looked into a trade for Ravens WR Rashod Bateman. Those talks didn’t go far, and Dallas ultimately struck a post-draft deal with the #Steelers for George Pickens.”
Bateman never quite lived up to his first-round status, but his 2024 season was the best of his NFL career — hauling in 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns.
While Steelers GM Omar Khan claimed the Pickens trade “made sense for everyone,” one could argue the Bateman scenario would have been the complete opposite. Although the Ravens receiver will be competing for snaps with veteran WR DeAndre Hopkins, he cemented himself as one of Lamar Jackson’s favorite deep threats in 2024.
Had Bateman been traded to the Cowboys, Pickens would have likely remained a Pittsburgh Steeler — as many other NFL teams reportedly “laughed” off the Steel City’s attempt to trade away their disgruntled wideout.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Report: Cowboys were interested in another AFC North WR before Pickens
