Latest report from NFL insider adds another layer of intrigue to Dallas Cowboys' trade for George Pickens

The Dallas Cowboys are more than happy with having landed George Pickens via trade earlier this week but he's not the only target they had in their sights, according to the latest report. 

Jordan Schultz from FOX reported the team also looked into another AFC North wide receiver: Rashod Bateman. 

"During their pursuit of a receiver, the Cowboys also looked into a trade for Ravens WR Rashod Bateman," Schultz reported Friday. "Those talks didn’t go far, and Dallas ultimately struck a post-draft deal with the Steelers for George Pickens."

The report adds another layer of intrigue to the Cowboys' recent trade as many would assume Bateman—whose career-high for a single season is 756 receiving yards—would've cost much less than the third rounder plus Day 3 swap Dallas gave up for Pickens. 

Schultz also pointed out the Cowboys' search for a No. 2 wide receiver lasted months. 

Chances are the Bateman talks not going far were also a result of the Ravens' direction compared to the Steelers'. Baltimore will once again be a top Super Bowl contender out of the AFC with Lamar Jackson leading a very strong roster. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is likely entering a soft rebuild with their projected QB1 for the upcoming season being Mason Rudolph. Now granted, a deal for Aaron Rodgers could still come through but it's a weaker roster and certainly not one guaranteed to be in the playoffs. 

In other words, it wouldn't have made a lot of sense for the Ravens to deal Bateman away unless it was at a premium. 

None of that matters now that the Cowboys have Pickens. According to Steelers GM Omar Khan, the deal for the veteran wide receiver happened quickly once the Draft was in the rearview mirror. He confirmed Pickens didn't ask for a trade and pointed toward a fresh start being the "right thing" for both parties. 

"The trade sort of happened quickly," Khan told reporters Friday. "We had some people inquire during the draft, nothing that really made sense. The Cowboys reached out earlier this week. They proposed something for us to think about."