Best Landing Spots for George Pickens, Amari Cooper After Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft

Taylyn Hadley Apr 25, 2025

With Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft in the books and the second and third rounds wrapped up, wide receiver rooms across the league are starting to take shape—but some veteran names still hang in limbo.

Four wideouts were taken in the second round, with several more coming off the board in the third. Yet, the futures of two proven pass-catchers—George Pickens and Amari Cooper—remain uncertain.

Here’s a breakdown of wide receivers taken so far, followed by potential landing spots for Pickens and Cooper heading into Day 3:

George Pickens

Top Landing Spots: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

Pickens, 24, was drafted in 2022 and has racked up 2,841 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his three-year career. After a 900-yard season with just three touchdowns, and the offseason arrival of DK Metcalf on a four-year, $132 million extension, Pickens appears likely to slide into a WR2 role in Pittsburgh.

Set to enter the final year of his rookie contract with a $4.2 million cap hit, Pickens could become expendable.

The Raiders hold picks No. 115 and 152, while the 49ers still have Nos. 113, 138, 147 and 160 to work with.

A physical, downfield threat, Pickens could thrive on a run-heavy team that needs to balance its offensive weapons.

In Arizona, Marvin Harrison Jr. could benefit from a true complement to take pressure off, and trade rumors have already swirled connecting Pickens to the Cardinals.

"The Arizona Cardinals are looking to build an explosive and dynamic offense around quarterback Kyler Murray, and they may continue focusing on that side of the ball this offseason," wrote B/R’s Kris Knox. "If the Cardinals do use their first-round pick to bolster the line, swinging a trade to upgrade the receiving corps would be logical. Marvin Harrison Jr. showed potential as a rookie last season, but Arizona could use another difference-maker opposite him. There's a non-zero chance that the Pittsburgh Steelers could make George Pickens available after acquiring DK Metcalf in a trade."

Meanwhile in San Francisco, Pickens could help take the pressure off star running back Christian McCaffrey, giving the offense another physical playmaker.

Amari Cooper

Top Landing Spots: Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks

The 30-year-old unrestricted free agent, drafted fourth overall in 2015, has spent time with the Raiders, Cowboys and Browns before being traded to Buffalo last season.

In 2024, Cooper played 14 games with 547 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The year prior, he had a 1,250-yard campaign with five scores in Cleveland.

The Cowboys hold picks No. 149 and 174, while the Seahawks have Nos. 137, 172 and 175.

As the top free-agent wide receiver available, according to NFL.com, Cooper brings veteran savvy and elite route running. He’s likely to land as a WR2 wherever he goes.

In Dallas, he’d slot in behind WR1 CeeDee Lamb and play with one of the league’s more efficient quarterbacks in Dak Prescott.

In Seattle, he'd join a revamped WR room featuring Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and River Cracraft, likely filling the WR2 role vacated by Metcalf.

“Seattle should continue looking for ways to support new quarterback Sam Darnold, and adding Amari Cooper would help,” B/R’s Knox said. “The 30-year-old appears to have lost some of his straight-line speed. However, he remains a savvy route-runner and a capable perimeter target who would complement the inside-outside versatility of Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”

Day 3 of the NFL Draft continues Saturday with more clarity on the horizon—for both rookies and vets.