Jerry Jones may have stumbled onto a useful depth piece while waiting on George Pickens
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<p><em><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/dallas-cowboys/news/cowboys-sign-marquez-valdes-scantling-george-pickens-holdout/28f295f5294dc398d243f4e2?utm_source=yahoo&;utm_medium=referral&;utm_campaign=appeared_on">Jerry Jones may have stumbled onto a useful depth piece while waiting on George Pickens</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us?utm_source=yahoo&;utm_medium=referral&;utm_campaign=appeared_on">The Sporting News</a>.<br />
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<p><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/dallas-cowboys">Dallas Cowboys</a>&#8216; Organized Team Activities (OTAs) began on June 1, 2026, but wide receiver George Pickens chose to skip the voluntary spring sessions. This storyline has become a predictable annual pattern in Dallas, adding to a continuous cycle of offseason contract sagas.</p>
<p>This odd trend dates back to August 2024, when CeeDee Lamb staged a prolonged contract holdout deep into training camp. It continued through 2025 when star pass-rusher Micah Parsons sat out the entire offseason program before ultimately being traded to the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/green-bay-packers">Green Bay Packers</a>.</p>
<p>Pickens, however, stopped immediate holdout threats by signing his $27.3 million franchise tag in late April. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones stated that the team will not negotiate a multi-year extension with him now, despite a solid campaign last year. </p>
<p>Pickens must play the year on a short-term contract, leaving his future with the team unresolved. Because of this contract uncertainty, Jerry Jones kept looking for receiver help from the market and it seems like he got a very good assist. </p>
<p>With Pickens absent, Jones&#8217; franchise signed veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a low-risk, one-year deal worth $1.487 million with $187,500 guaranteed. The 31-year-old journeyman is already producing in practice. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article316011194.html" target="_blank">According to Cowboys insider Nick Harris</a> of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Valdes-Scantling earned first-team reps during spring practices. He became a frequent target for Dak Prescott. </p>
<p>Harris added, &#8220;He was targeted by Dak Prescott a handful of times, and even bailed out his new quarterback on a throw that went behind him that he had to swat down to prevent P.J. Locke from intercepting it.&#8221;</p>
<p>The fit makes sense for a specific reason. In 2020 with the Packers, Valdes-Scantling led the NFL by averaging 20.9 yards per reception, with 33 catches for 690 yards and six touchdowns. He remains a deep threat who can stretch defenses. This skill keeps safeties back, opening underneath lanes for CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.</p>
<p>Valdes-Scantling counts $1.26 million against the 2026 salary cap. Dallas can cut him with no major dead money penalty, making him a low-risk addition. He joins a depth chart that includes Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, and rookie Anthony Smith.</p>
<p>Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer expects Pickens at the mandatory minicamp on June 16, where unexcused absences trigger automatic fines. When Pickens returns, the depth chart will reset for sure. </p>
<p>However, Valdes-Scantling&#8217;s early first-team practice reps show he could earn a role as a deep target or serve as insurance if Pickens&#8217; contract dispute worsens with time. </p>
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