Report: Cowboys pursued Ravens' Bateman before acquiring Pickens

The Dallas Cowboys explored trading for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman before acquiring George Pickens, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports.

However, trade talks with the Ravens didn't go far, Schultz added.

The Cowboys traded a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-rounder earlier this week.

Dallas spent months searching for another receiver to pair with CeeDee Lamb before finalizing the Pickens deal after the draft, Schultz reported.

Bateman was a major weapon for the Ravens in 2024, finishing second on the team in receiving yards (756) and receiving touchdowns (nine) while tallying the third-most receptions (45). He scored two more touchdowns in the playoffs.

The 25-year-old wideout's previous career high for touchdowns in a season was two.

Bateman is slated to help form a potent receiver trio alongside Zay Flowers and DeAndre Hopkins for quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens next season.

He has 138 receptions, 1,923 yards, and 13 touchdowns across four campaigns with Baltimore, though he missed most of the 2022 season because of injury.

Bateman has two years left on his current deal, including a $5.1-million cap hit for 2025. The Ravens selected him with the 27th pick in the 2021 draft.