NFL teams were said to be laughing at the idea of adding a former Georgia star to their locker room by the way of a trade

“Word leaked during the draft that Pickens was available if anyone wanted him. Some teams polled by The Athletic at the time laughed at the idea of inviting Pickens into their locker room for any price, let alone a second-day draft pick. There wasn’t a lot of interest in talking with the Steelers about a trade.” — Jeff Howe, The Athletic

That’s quite a statement about how some teams around the league view Pickens—a player with undeniable talent but whose off-field behavior and attitude have reportedly raised concerns. Pittsburgh grew tired of his presence in the locker room and decided to move on.

A fresh start in Dallas may be exactly what Pickens needs to get back on track. He’ll join a wide receiver group led by All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, making Pickens the likely second option for quarterback Dak Prescott.

Teams laughing at the idea of adding Pickens in a trade shows that talent and production alone aren’t always enough in the NFL. Pickens has a chance to have a big season with Dallas in what is a contract season. A big year could allow for Pickens to bring in a large payday in Dallas or elsewhere.