The Dallas Cowboys continue to make moves in the days following the NFL draft. Dallas has moved on from signing undrafted free agents and turned their attention to three NFL veterans, including two wide receivers.
The moves are notable as George Pickens has yet to sign the franchise tag offer from the Cowboys, per ESPN’s Todd Archer. Dallas added a bit of insurance with the additions of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Tyler Johnson, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Additionally, Dallas signed veteran linebacker Curtis Robinson.
Johnson was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won the Super Bowl during the 2020 season. The Cowboys mark Johnson’s sixth NFL team with previous stints on the Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and New York Jets.
Johnson’s best season came in 2021 when the wideout posted 36 receptions for 360 yards in 17 appearances. The playmaker has appeared in 61 games, including 13 starts, during his NFL career.
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Cowboys news.
New Cowboys WR Tyler Johnson Has Played in 61 NFL Games During His Career
Johnson was selected by the Bucs in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Heading into draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Johnson to Jakobi Meyers.
“Contested-catch warrior who plays the game like a big brother imposing his will on his younger brothers on the playground,” Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft profile of the wide receiver. “Johnson’s lack of speed and explosiveness make it hard to create clean catch windows unless he’s working against zone.
“However, he’s an absolute rebound champ, using instincts, timing and an impressive knowledge of body control to keep defenders away from the football and make it his own. His production speaks directly to his ball skills and competitiveness, but physical limitations might pigeon-hole him into a role as a zone-beating possession slot with red-zone talent.”
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Could Consider Trading George Pickens
Pickens and the Cowboys have been at odds over a long-term contract. The playmaker is seeking a lucrative new deal, while Dallas is pushing Pickens to play on the franchise tag in 2026.
“Look, he wants a long-term contract or he would like a trade,” Schefter explained during an April 27, appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “They have been very clear that they’re not going to give him a long-term contract. So now that leaves them in a position, both sides, I think that’s a little bit unsettled at this current moment.
“… I don’t think it’s entirely off the table that at some point in time he could be traded. Even though the Cowboys have been adamant that they have no plans to trade him. At some point in time, if there’s a team that’s willing to give them a decent enough haul in return, I would think it might be in everybody’s best interest at that time to trade him.”
The addition of Johnson and Valdes-Scantling do little to replace Pickens if the Cowboys opt to cut ties with the playmaker via trade. Yet, the signings provide Dallas some depth at the position just in case things get contentious between the two sides.
