WR George Pickens
Pickens in the most pressing (and most important) financial decision on the horizon.
The franchise tag remains a likely option in the short term, but it’s far from ideal.
Tagging a wide receiver carries a massive one-year cap hit and offers no long-term security for either side.
A multi-year deal, properly structured, would be far more beneficial.
Pickens gives Dallas something defenses must account for on every snap: a physical, vertical threat who can win one-on-one matchups and stretch coverage.
His presence tilts safety alignments and creates space underneath, making life easier for the entire offense.
Locking him in beyond 2026 ensures offensive continuity and avoids the constant churn that comes from patching together wide receiver rooms each year.
RB Javonte Williams
The running back market has cooled, but effective backs still matter; especially for teams that want balance.
Williams brings power, contact balance, and reliability between the tackles.
He helps close games, shortens third downs, and prevents the offense from becoming one-dimensional.
With the cap climbing, Dallas can justify a reasonable investment at the position without compromising flexibility elsewhere.
Retaining Williams allows the Cowboys to maintain offensive identity while protecting the quarterback and keeping defenses honest deep into games.