Cowboys' George Pickens among players with 'most to gain' in 2026

One of the most talked-about aspects of the Dallas Cowboys' roster is George Pickens. This season, Pickens is playing on a one-year, fully guaranteed franchise tag worth $27.3 million. He and the Cowboys weren't able to reach a multiyear contract extension by the July 15 deadline.

If Pickens delivers this season, it's going to be a huge payday for him. That makes this season extra important for the wide receiver.

In fact, something that helps Pickens is that Baltimore Ravens and wide receiver Zay Flowers agreed to a four-year deal worth $140 million, with $108 million guaranteed. That's a lot of money, and that only ups what Pickens will be worth if he delivers in 2026.

George Pickens has the "most to gain" this season

In a feature for Fox Sports out on Thursday, Ben Arthur makes the case for the handful of players in the NFL with "the most to gain" in 2026. It could really be the most to lose, too. He has Pickens on the tally.

"If Pickens once again performs like a true WR1 in 2026, a top-end wide receiver contract awaits him from the Cowboys or someone else in the spring," he states.

Pickens is coming off a career season. He appeared in 17 games, notching 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged 15.4 yards per catch. If he can do that again this season, the Cowboys are going to have to up that paycheck or another team will quickly steal him away.