The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s best wide receiver duos in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but with Pickens set to play out the 2026 campaign on a franchise tag, that may not last very long.
Some have questioned whether or not Pickens will be totally engaged with the Cowboys this fall because of the club’s decision to slap a tag on him, and that could lead to problems in Dallas’ receiving corps.
On that note, Grant Gordon of NFL.com has identified a rather intriguing solution for the Cowboys this coming season: DeAndre Hopkins.
Gordon identified the Texans as the ideal fit, citing the familiarity and the chance to return to the organization where Hopkins — who recently took an assistant coaching job at at Georgia Tech — built his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable and physical receivers. Yet he also noted that a move to Dallas could offer a similar sense of regional homecoming while placing the veteran in a productive offense.
Hopkins’ résumé still carries weight. He earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro honors from 2017 through 2019 and added second-team selections in 2015 and 2020. His last 1,000-yard season came in 2023.
Last year in Baltimore, he managed only 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns, numbers that reflected a reduced role rather than a complete loss of ability. At this stage of his career he projects more as a complementary piece and situational specialist than a featured target, something he himself has acknowledged while emphasizing that he still has something left to offer a contending roster.
For the Cowboys, adding Hopkins would represent the kind of veteran presence Jerry Jones has often pursued. Dallas already features a strong receiving duo, yet the organization has shown a willingness to chase established names even when depth appears solid.
A short-term deal could provide reliable hands on third downs and in the red zone while offering mentorship to younger players in the room. Whether that interest materializes into an actual offer remains unclear, especially with Hopkins recently exploring coaching opportunities and clarifying that he has not retired from playing.
Still, the mere mention of Dallas as a potential landing spot underscores how the free-agent market for proven veterans can shift quickly once camps begin and injuries or performance questions arise. Hopkins has made clear he is in no hurry and prefers a situation with a legitimate chance to compete.
A return to Texas, whether in Houston or Dallas, would close a circle that began more than a decade ago when he first stepped onto an NFL field as a high-ceiling prospect from Clemson.
For now, the Cowboys remain one of several teams floated as a possible next chapter in a career defined by consistency and competitiveness.
At the very least, Hopkins could potentially provide some veteran depth to a wide receiver room that could absolutely use it.
