The Dallas Cowboys had one of the best offenses in the NFL in 2025 under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
The team finished No. 2 in total offense, No. 2 in passing offense, No. 9 in rushing offense and No. 7 in scoring offense this past season. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season. Wide receivers George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb eclipsed 1,000 yards as well.
Pickens was franchise tagged during the offseason, which puts his future with the Cowboys in question as negotiations for a long-term contract continue. NFL.com's Chad Reuter predicts that the Cowboys will select Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate with their pick, regardless of whether Pickens remains with the team.
"It's unclear whether George Pickens will be traded or play in Dallas on the franchise tag," Reuter wrote. "If Pickens stays, adding Tate on the outside and moving CeeDee Lamb into the slot would be a beautiful setup for quarterback Dak Prescott."
Tate's fit in Dallas would be less about filling a need and more about maximizing what's already working. With 1,872 career receiving yards at Ohio State, he's shown the ability to produce within a loaded offense, something that would translate well to a Cowboys system already featuring multiple high-level targets. His skill set as a smooth route-runner with reliable hands would allow him to seamlessly integrate without needing to be the focal point right away.
What makes the potential trio so intriguing is how their roles could naturally complement each other. Lamb thrives in space and can dominate from the slot, while Pickens brings physicality and downfield ability on the outside. Tate fits in as a versatile option who can line up across formations, creating flexibility and preventing defenses from keying in on any one receiver.
If all three are on the field together, Dallas could create matchup problems at every level. Defenses would be forced to pick their poison, whether it's bracketing Lamb, shading help toward Pickens, or leaving Tate in favorable one-on-one situations. In that kind of setup, Tate wouldn't just add depth; he could quietly become a critical piece in keeping the offense among the league's elite.
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