Cowboys’ George Pickens Trade ‘Worth The Risk’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys needed an “explosive” No. 2 receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb, and the franchise’s answer was trading for Pittsburgh Steelers’ George Pickens.
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The move for George was met with what we think was an odd reaction. Some were lauding it, given that the Cowboys showed they want to get better, yet others were shaking their head at the move due to his on-and-off-field incidents, despite those same people urging Dallas to make a trade.
Now that the dust has settled and George has done nothing but positive things at OTAs both on and off the field, Bleacher Report has ranked what it thinks are 25 of the best moves this offseason, with Dallas’ trade for Pickens landing at No. 11.
“The Dallas Cowboys head into every season with Texas-sized aspirations, but the team also had a 10-gallon hole at wide receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb,” Bleacher Report writes. “George Pickens had an up-and-down three years in Pittsburgh, but Pickens never had less than 800 receiving yards in a season and the potential to be an excellent No. 2 receiver in Dallas. For a Day 2 pick in 2026 (plus a pick swap), Pickens is more than worth the “risk.”
George Pickens At AttBy Tony Fisher
Given how productive Pickens was as the lone hand in the Steelers’ offense, which had below-par quarterback play for much of his time there, he now has Dak Prescott.
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Not only that, he has a teammate in Lamb who, despite Pickens’ talent, should command the defense’s attention. Hello, one-on-ones for George.
If things pan out the way Dallas and Pickens hope in 2025, and he plays a key role in the franchise getting back to the playoffs with, say, 800-ish yards and a handful of touchdowns, we might look back on his trade this offseason as one of the best ones a team has made.
Yes, it might be wishful thinking, but such is George’s talent, and there is every chance it eventuates.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.