Who Should I Start? George Pickens or Tetairoa McMillan

Monday, February 23, 8:03 AM

The Dallas Cowboys will finalize the franchise tag for wide receiver George Pickens in the next week, according to executive vice president Stephen Jones. The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins writes that if Pickens gets franchise-tagged, "there's a strong possibility he will not report to the offseason programs as the team engages in contract talks with his agents." Edge rusher Micah Parsons didn't show up for the offseason program last year while in contract talks with the club before eventually being traded to the Green Bay Packers. Pickens, 24, will be back with Dallas in 2026 after earning his first Pro Bowl berth with career-highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine). The franchise tag for receivers is projected at $28 million. A tag-and-trade scenario is possible, but both sides have an interest in a reunion in 2026 and beyond. With Pickens expected to be in Dallas again this year, he'll be firmly in the WR1 range in fantasy football drafts this fall after his big 2025 campaign.

Thursday, February 5, 4:52 PM

Carolina Panthers first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was named the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. McMillan got to work right away after Carolina took him eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Arizona. The 22-year-old operated as quarterback Bryce Young's top target from the get-go and finished his rookie campaign with 70 receptions on 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He also caught five of his seven targets for 81 yards in the Wild-Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams in his first career playoff game. McMillan's strong chemistry with Young bodes well for his future, and he'll head into Year 2 in 2026 with clear WR1 potential, although the lack of passing volume in Carolina's offense could be an issue.