The NFL offseason is always fertile ground for bold ideas, but Jason McCourty may have just dropped one of the most intriguing hypothetical trades of the year. On ESPN’s Get Up, the former Patriots cornerback proposed a star-for-star swap between the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders: wide receiver George Pickens for edge rusher Maxx Crosby.
It’s the kind of deal that makes fans stop scrolling and start debating. This isn't your typical draft-pick shuffle or a veteran-for-depth move - it’s a heavyweight trade that would force both franchises to make a statement about who they are and what they value.
Let’s break it down.
Who’s the better player right now?
Maxx Crosby is the kind of player who doesn’t just show up - he takes over. He’s been a model of consistency since entering the league, posting at least seven sacks in each of his seven seasons.
That includes a 10-sack campaign last year, even while managing a knee injury. At 28, he’s still very much in his prime, and his five straight Pro Bowl selections speak to his status as one of the league’s elite edge rushers.
He’s not just productive - he’s relentless, disruptive, and the kind of player offensive coordinators have to game-plan around every single week.
On the other side, George Pickens is the rising star. At 24, he’s coming off a breakout season with 93 catches, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns.
He’s flashy, explosive, and looks like a future WR1 for years to come. But while Pickens’ ceiling is sky-high, Crosby is already at the mountaintop.
This is a classic case of potential versus proven dominance - the ascending talent versus the established force.
Which position moves the needle more?
This is where things get strategic. In today’s NFL, disrupting the quarterback is arguably the most valuable thing a defense can do.
Elite edge rushers like Crosby don’t just rack up sacks - they change the timing of plays, collapse pockets, and force mistakes. Every snap, they’re influencing the game.
Wide receivers, as important as they are, depend on the quarterback to get them the ball. A great receiver can only do so much if the quarterback is under siege. And that’s the rub: Crosby creates chaos, while receivers capitalize on order.
Look at the money trail - edge rushers dominate the non-quarterback salary charts. It’s harder to find a guy who can consistently beat 300-pound linemen than it is to find a pass-catcher with elite traits. That’s not to diminish what Pickens brings to the table, but it underscores just how rare a player like Crosby is.
Who needs help more - Cowboys offense or defense?
This part’s pretty straightforward. After trading away Micah Parsons, the Cowboys are in desperate need of a pass rush.
Last season, the defense lacked bite, and it showed - the secondary was left exposed, and the unit as a whole struggled to get off the field. Crosby would immediately anchor the defensive line and bring leadership to a group in transition under a new coordinator.
That said, losing Pickens would hurt. While Dallas still has Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, having a second dynamic option on the outside changes everything.
We've seen what happens when Prescott doesn’t have that second guy - the offense gets predictable, and the margin for error shrinks. So while the defense needs help more, the offense would take a step back without Pickens.
How replaceable is each position?
If Dallas does move Pickens, they’ll need to find a new weapon - and the good news is, they’ll have options. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, there are viable paths to replacing a wide receiver. The Cowboys hold two first-round picks (No. 12 and No. 20), and both wideouts and edge rushers should be available in those ranges.
But here’s where the trade could really pay off: if Dallas lands Crosby, they could use those two picks to continue building the defense and grab a mid-tier wideout in free agency. Maybe not someone with Pickens’ upside, but a solid contributor who can keep the offense humming. That’s potentially three defensive upgrades versus keeping Pickens and hoping a rookie edge rusher hits right away.
What about the money?
Here’s where Crosby really starts to look like the smarter long-term play. He’s already signed to a three-year, $106.5 million extension - a hefty price tag, sure, but his $28 million average salary actually ranks outside the top 10 among edge rushers. That’s a bargain for a player of his caliber.
Pickens, meanwhile, is expected to play on a franchise tag worth around $28 million - but he’ll be looking for a long-term deal north of $35 million annually. That kind of contract comes with guaranteed money and long-term cap implications.
Crosby’s deal gives Dallas more flexibility and less financial risk. No drama, no drawn-out negotiations - just production.
So… should the Cowboys do it?
If Dallas is serious about fixing its defense - and that seems to be the case after moving on from Parsons - then swapping Pickens for Crosby makes a lot of sense. It’s not an easy move.
Pickens is young, exciting, and coming off a career year. But there’s always risk in assuming that kind of production will repeat itself.
This could be a classic “sell high” moment.
Meanwhile, Crosby brings immediate impact, leadership, and a proven track record. He’s the kind of player who elevates everyone around him and gives the Cowboys a much-needed identity on defense.
And for the Raiders? With the No. 1 overall pick and a new quarterback likely incoming - Fernando Mendoza, by all accounts - adding a weapon like Pickens could jumpstart that offense and give them a true outside threat to pair with slot receiver Tre Tucker.
In the end, this is the kind of bold move that could reshape both franchises. For Dallas, it’s about balance - shoring up a vulnerable defense without completely dismantling the offense. And for Vegas, it’s about building around a new face of the franchise.
It’s not just a fantasy trade. It’s a real conversation worth having.