Jason Burgos
A new report just opened the door for the New York Giants or Kansas City Chiefs to move down in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, while also landing a Pro Bowl receiver.
We are just hours away from one of the most exciting days on the NFL calendar, Round 1 of the NFL Draft. There is always speculation heading into the annual event, but with this year’s QB class weaker than normal, there has been more chatter about trades all over the place in Round 1.
A team that has been linked to a lot of trade talk in recent days is the Dallas Cowboys. They have two picks in Round 1, No. 12 and No. 20, respectively. A recent report suggested that the front office is very high on Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. They have also been connected to Downs’ teammate Sonny Styles.
All three are expected to be off the board by the time the Cowboys are on the clock at 12. They could try to use their two picks to trade up into the top five. But some doubt if that would be enough for a rival club to give up a pick at that point in the draft. However, they may have another interesting trade chip: George Pickens.
During Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s Get Up, NFL insider Adam Schefter noted that Dallas is “nowhere” close to an extension with the Pro Bowl receiver, and there is a player projected to go in the top 10 that they are fans of.
Should NY Giants or KC Chiefs dangle first-rounder for George Pickens?
“They’re nowhere with George Pickens right now. Nowhere,” Schefter said. “They are not really talking about an extension. They are not close to an extension. They’re not getting a deal done at this point in time. That situation is just sitting out there, and the Cowboys are said to really like Jordyn Tyson. So it’s just one more subplot in a draft filled with them.”
After working out for teams last week, the Arizona State receiver has been linked to the Chiefs and Giants at picks No. 9 and No. 10 in Round 1. Once again, outside the Cowboys’ range if they hold on to their pick. However, if they want to move up for Tyson, Downs, or Bain — players that could also go at the end of the top 10 — Pickens could be an intriguing chip to play.
The Giants would relish the chance to get a weapon like Pickens for Jaxson Dart. If the two NFC East rivals did surprisingly agree on a trade, maybe Pickens and pick 20 for pick 10, and Kayvon Thibodeaux would be a starting point for a deal.
The Chiefs would also love to get their hands on a game-breaking receiver like Pickens. Getting him and the No. 20 pick might make sense. Leaving Kansas City with two selections in the final 10 picks of Round 1.
The money side of the trade would be an issue as well, but both teams would try to find ways around it to get the player who posted 1,429 and nine touchdowns last year.
