The Denver Broncos head into this offseason with a clear mission: build around Bo Nix. The rookie quarterback showed enough in his first year to warrant serious investment, and now it's on the front office to equip him with the kind of firepower that can elevate this offense from promising to potent.
There are pieces already in place. The offensive line has held up well, and the Broncos have a solid foundation in their skill position group.
But with tight end Evan Engram and running back J.K. Dobbins both hitting free agency, there are real questions about who will help shoulder the offensive load in 2026.
And even with a returning wide receiver corps, the absence of a true No. 1 target has left the passing game lacking that extra gear.
Enter George Pickens.
The Dallas Cowboys wideout, a second-team All-Pro, is the kind of game-changing receiver who can tilt the field and redefine an offense. Kristopher Knox has floated the idea of the Broncos making a serious run at Pickens this offseason, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense. Denver has around $26 million in projected cap space, and with Nix still on his rookie deal, now is the time to be aggressive.
The path to landing Pickens wouldn’t be simple. The Cowboys are expected to place the franchise tag on him, meaning any team looking to acquire him would have to trade for his rights-and likely give up a first-round pick to get it done. That’s a steep price, but it’s the cost of doing business when you’re chasing elite talent.
And make no mistake: Pickens is elite. He’s not just a vertical threat-he’s a complete receiver.
Size, speed, hands, route-running-he checks every box. Adding him to the Broncos’ offense would give Nix a legitimate WR1, the kind of player who can win one-on-one matchups, draw double coverage, and make life easier for every other pass-catcher on the field.
Of course, trading for Pickens would also mean extending him long-term, likely at a price north of $30 million per year. That’s a big commitment, but Denver is in a rare window. With a young quarterback and manageable cap situation, they have the flexibility to make a big move now without mortgaging their future.
There’s also the possibility of including one of their own young receivers-like Marvin Mims or Troy Franklin-in a potential deal. That could help soften the blow of giving up a first-round pick, while also giving Dallas a promising piece in return. But it all starts with the Cowboys being willing to listen.
If they are, and if the Broncos are serious about contending in the near future, this is the kind of swing they need to take. Pickens wouldn’t just be a flashy addition-he’d be a foundational piece for a young offense looking to find its identity.
Denver has the cap space. They have the need. And they have the opportunity.
Now it’s just a matter of whether they’re ready to go all-in.