Report: Cowboys explored trade for former first-round pick

The Ravens drafted Bateman with the 27th overall pick in 2021. The former Minnesota star has shown flashes of playmaking ability, though he has not lived up to expectations in the NFL thus far.

Bateman did have a solid season last year, however. He hauled in 45 catches and set career highs with 756 yards and nine touchdowns. Zay Flowers has established himself as Lamar Jackson's most trusted wide receiver, but Bateman is only 25 and his arrow is pointing up.

Jerry Jones suggested prior to the draft that the Cowboys were working on some significant moves. The team's pursuit of Bateman probably fell under that umbrella. Jones was eventually proved right when Dallas landed Pickens, even if the deal did not happen as quickly as Jones thought it would.