Ten moves that should be made with NFL Draft complete: Cowboys trade Pickens, Aiyuk to Commanders

With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, general managers now turn their focus to trades, franchise-tag decisions and contract extensions with fourth months before the season begins

Bryan DeArdo

Apr 26, 2026

10:04 am ET

•

7 min read

Getty Images

The NFL Draft might be over, but the work will only continue for general managers between now and the start of training camp. In fact, as soon as the draft concluded, teams attacked undrafted free agency with aggression. Those players will join the players who were drafted in rookie minicamps that will take place over the next several weeks.

Rookies aside, every team faces other orders of business before training camp starts. The franchise tag deadline looms for two teams, while another NFL team remains stuck in quarterback limbo with its enigmatic future Hall of Famer.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest moves that need to be made now that the draft has passed.

Cowboys trade George Pickens

George Pickens

DAL • WR • #3

TAR137

REC93

REC YDs1429

REC TD9

FL0

View Profile

Dallas already said that Pickens will play under the franchise tag, which appears to be a recipe for disaster given his history of self-sabotage when things don't go his way. If the Cowboys want to avoid another drama-filled season, they would be better served either giving Pickens a long-term deal or trading him to a team that will.

The more realistic scenario appears to be the Cowboys trading Pickens, whose production during his first four seasons has largely been overshadowed by his antics.

Prior to the draft, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell listed five possible landing spots for Pickens. If the Cowboys were actually serious about trading Pickens, they'd probably have a host of suitors that would likely be willing to give Dallas considerable draft capital and a productive receiver in return.

The Cowboys would have options if they were actually compelled to trade Pickens, but the reality is that Dallas will likely sign up for another roller coaster season with their embattled receiver.

Brandon Aiyuk lands with Commanders

Brandon Aiyuk

SF • WR • #11

View Profile

Aiyuk has played his final down in San Francisco, and the 49ers will officially part ways with him this offseason. The questions continue to be how the breakup will materialize and where Aiyuk ends up next.

A few nuggets were unearthed during the final day of the draft. General manager John Lynch said that the team isn't planning to release him. They remain open to trading him. The Commanders reportedly have a significant interest in acquiring Aiyuk, who was one of the NFL's most productive wideouts during the 2022 and '23 seasons.

The Commanders know that the 49ers don't have much leverage and are likely waiting for San Francisco to release him. The 49ers surely know Washington wants Aiyuk to pair with his former college teammate Jayden Daniels.

A.J. Brown traded to New England

A.J. Brown

PHI • WR • #11

TAR121

REC78

REC YDs1003

REC TD7

FL0

View Profile

This just feels like a formality. If there was any remaining doubt regarding the Eagles trading Brown, it was answered when the Eagles traded up to draft Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick.

Why hasn't the trade happened yet? Salary cap implications if the Eagles trade Brown before June 1 are holding things up. The expectation is that Brown will be traded after June 1, as NFL rules allow teams to split cap hits between 2026 and 2027 for trades after that date.

Yes, another team could swoop in and make an offer to the Eagles for Brown. But barring that or another unforeseen situation occurring, expect Brown to be traded to the defending AFC champions after June 1.

Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers

PIT • QB • #8

CMP%65.7

YDs3322

TD24

INT7

YD/Att6.67

View Profile

For a second straight year, the Steelers concluded the draft without a definitive answer from Rodgers. Last year, the Steelers' patience paid off when Rodgers joined up just before minicamp. He then helped Pittsburgh win its first division title since 2020.

The Steelers appear to have a plan in place for either scenario. If Rodgers returns, the Steelers will have two potential successors backing him up in 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar, with veteran Mason Rudolph likely being the odd man out.

If Rodgers comes back, he'll have an improved group of skill players that includes newcomers in running back Rico Dowdle, veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie receiver Germie Bernard.

Bobby Wagner signs with Bengals

Bobby Wagner

WAS • MLB • #54

View Profile

The Bengals need a veteran inside linebacker to complete their aggressive defensive overhaul. Wagner is unsigned and likely hopes to play for a legitimate title contender in 2026.

Yes, the Bengals were 6-11 last season, but that was because Joe Burrow missed more