The NFL was thrown off course when the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they would be trading wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Pickens was sent over in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. Pickens is the only wideout in the league to average at least 16 yards per reception, so it’s safe to say that Dallas improved its roster. It isn’t just Dallas as a whole that’s happy; quarterback Dak Prescott is likely thrilled over this new addition to the offense.
Prescott Has Needed a Solid Number Two Option for Years
Like any other quarterback in the NFL, Dak Prescott has needed weapons around him to thrive fully. When he was younger, he had that, but lately, that wasn’t the case. In 2024, he had superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb, who ended that season with just under 1,200 receiving yards and 152 total targets. The downside is that the next closest receiver was Jalen Tolbert, with 610 yards and 79 targets. That isn’t much of a number two threat out there.
In 2023, Lamb had 1,749 yards and 181 targets. The next closest wideout was Brandin Cooks with 761 yards and 81 targets. Then, for one more example 2022, Lamb had 1,359 yards on 156 total targets. The next closest wideout was Noah Brown with 555 yards and 74 targets. To put it simply, Dallas has needed a firm number two receiver option for the past three years.
Pickens Will Add Explosiveness and Depth Across Lamb
George Pickens has only spent three years in the NFL, with a looming contract extension on the horizon. Yet, he exceeded 800 receiving yards in all three campaigns. Much of that is due to him averaging at least 16 yards per catch, helping to stretch the field significantly for Lamb to get open on the other side of him.
This also provides Dallas with necessary depth. If Lamb were to ever miss time with injury, the Cowboys would be left with Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, and Ryan Flournoy. Adding Pickens allows them to utilize a guy who can be a number one receiver if anything happens to Lamb. Otherwise, it can be like having two top options alongside one another.
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