The Dallas Cowboys were the No. 2 offense in the NFL last season, and best of all, the WR depth looked in great shape compared to 2024, when there wasn't much depth beyond CeeDee Lamb. After injuring his shoulder late in the season, it looked like Lamb's injury came more from carrying the offense rather than one hit.
The offense improved thanks to breakout WR Ryan Flournoy, going for 35 catches, 407 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games played. The season before, Flournoy caught 10 balls for 102 yards. It looks like Pickens is here to focus on football and play on the franchise tag, but in a scenario where the Cowboys don't offer him a long-term deal next offseason, the Cowboys already have their backup plan to keep Flournoy around.
Brian Schottenheimer already sees a future in Flournoy. In a press conference on Tuesday, Schotty said that he's ready to get to the next level, as he's already shown shades that he can take on a bigger role in the future.
"Ryan Flournoy, I really think is taking the next step,” Schottenheimer said. “I think he has a chance to be a terrific receiver in this league."Brian Schottenheimer
Ryan Flournoy should be WR2 if a long-term George Pickens deal doesn't work out
This is the best scenario for fans to look forward to this season. The Cowboys have a veteran star in Lamb, and even though he was injured for parts of last season, Pickens stepped up and earned an All-Pro stamp in his first season wearing the star. Flournoy stepped up too, and if a Pickens extension goes south, the Cowboys know just who to turn to.
Is Flournoy on the same level as Pickens? I'm sure we all know the answer to that. But Flournoy will be in the third year of a four-year rookie contract. His annual average value (AAV) is $1,039,597. He's playing for quite the bargain, but if he plays even better in 2026, you can bet Flournoy will get an extension next season.
That's only if the Cowboys can't afford Pickens on what could be a massive extension. Spotrac has Pickens at a $30.6 million market value. That would put him and Lamb on top of the market, but if the Cowboys can't pull it off, they can extend Flournoy, and definitely not for that much.
Some notable WR free agents up for grabs in 2027 are Jauan Jennings and Chris Olave. But again, this is only if they can't sign Pickens. Schotty using Flournoy as a WR2 is only a backup plan, but hopefully none is needed with Pickens' positive attitude toward the team.
Pickens is clearly in it to stay, but it's going to be tough to have two WRs near the top of the market. At least Flournoy can step up if he takes the leap that Schotty expects this season.
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