ClutchPoints
Whatever happens for the Dallas Cowboys this season, the George Pickens move will likely be at the forefront, one way or another. Certainly, Dak Prescott liked it. And Pickens stands as the Cowboys’ riskiest move in the 2025 offseason.
The Cowboys traded a third-round pick as part of a deal to get the controversial receiver from the Steelers. It seems like the Steelers were glad to part ways. And that’s one reason why there was risk involved on the Cowboys’ part.
It’s not that the Cowboys gave up too much for Pickens in terms of his talent. But how will he fit in the locker room when Prescott chucks about 18 targets CeeDee Lamb’s way and only has bread crumbs left for Pickens?
On the surface, it’s a great deal. Pickens gives the Cowboys some of the things that Lamb doesn’t do in their offensive scheme. It’s a nice fit. But there’s more to putting together a roster than just getting the most talented players.
That’s why there were so many surprises in the NFL Draft. Talented players tumbled down the board because of their potential team disruption. The most notable of those players was Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
But has Pickens gotten a bad rap? Will he stay with the program in Jerry’s world?
One thing is the Cowboys now have two No. 1 receivers. At least if you listen to Lamb and Pickens, according to DLLS Cowboys via nfl.com.
“We both ones,” Lamb said as Pickens concurred, via DLLS Cowboys. “It ain’t no A, B, none of that. It’s one. You look over there, you see one. You look over here, you see another one. So do what you gotta do with that.”
But this isn’t a slam-dunk route to the Super Bowl, according to nfl.com.
“Yes, they’re better with Pickens,” Eric Edholm wrote. “CeeDee Lamb badly needed a running mate, and the Cowboys lacked another big-play threat. The Cowboys had seven 40-yard pass plays last season; Pickens had four by himself. His arrival also helps the mystery run game — which received a boost when Dallas selected talented run blocker Tyler Booker in Round 1 and Texas RB Jaydon Blue in Round 5 — and what Brian Schottenheimer envisions for his offense.
“But until Pickens is signed long term, this is a one-year experiment. Can Dallas improve markedly on each side of the ball to become Super Bowl contenders with Pickens’ arrival? Too big a leap for me.”
One thing for sure, Edholm wrote, is this trade paints a Super Bowl bullseye on Prescott’s back.
“Dak Prescott can’t hide from expectations and must thrive at this critical stage of his career,” Edholm wrote. “First, there’s the pressure for Prescott to return to his 2023 form after another injury-marred year. He didn’t play great in 2024 and has been too interception-prone in two of his past three seasons.
“Plus, there’s the need for the quarterback to take on an...
