The Dallas Cowboys are preparing for what seems like an inevitable parting with NFL All-Pro wide receiver George Pickens by stockpiling players at his position, 1 of which now includes a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick.
“Ex-Bucs WR Tyler Johnson lands in Dallas — had 12 catches for Jets last season,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account on Monday.
Johnson was a 5th-round pick (No. 161 overall) by the Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL draft and was a key role player during the regular season and in the playoffs on the way to winning the 2nd Super Bowl in franchise history as a rookie.
It was the 2nd wide receiver — and 2nd Super Bowl champion — the Cowboys signed on Monday after also adding veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
“Cowboys signed three players today: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR Tyler Johnson and LB Curtis Robinson,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Johnson Came to Bucs After Starring Big Ten
The Buccaneers landed Johnson in the draft after he lit up Big Ten competition at the University of Minnesota in 2018 and 2019, with consecutive seasons of over 1,300 receiving yards and 25 touchdown receptions in that span.
That type of production drew some wild comparisons in the pre-draft process.
“Play strength reminiscent of A.J. Brown,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “Recognizes acceleration opportunities to play past coverage. Rare ball skills and instincts as ball-winner … Diligent in working back to his quarterback. Uses tracking and stacking to handle deep catches. Excellent high-point timing and mid-air adjustments.”
The knock on Johnson, ultimately, was that he was too slow — he clocked a disastrous 40-yard dash time of 4.70 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.
Firmly in Journeyman Stage of NFL Career
Johnson played for the Buccaneers in 2020 and 2021 and briefly again in 2022, although just on the practice squad.
The Cowboys are his 6th NFL team in 7 seasons, including stints with the Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Jets. Headed into 2026, he has approximately $5.2 million in career earnings.
Pickens Drama Just Revving up for Offseason
It’s not an NFL offseason without the Cowboys involved in a bitter feud over money with 1 of their best players — it was NFL All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott and NFL All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in 2024, NFL All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons in 2025. Now, it’s Pickens.
The drama around Pickens and what’s going to happen to him in 2026 seems to just be revving up after reports last week that Pickens signed his franchise tag, which would have paid him approximately $28 million this season.
Instead, reports surfaced Monday that Pickens had not, in fact, signed his franchise tag — the Cowboys only received e-mail confirmation from him that he was going to do it. Not the actual, signed document. Which is important.
“George Pickens has not yet signed the franchise tag,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. “The plan is still for him to sign it … I was told it was draft weekend and signing the franchise tag wasn’t the first thing on his mind. Look, he wants a long term contract or he would like a trade.”
Former Buccaneers 5th Round Pick Lands in NFC East