The ͏Dallas Cowboys ͏made one of the boldest moves of the offseason by acquiring wide receiver G͏eorge P͏ickens from the ͏Pittsburgh Steelers. The deal stirred up a wave of͏ ͏reactions ͏across the league,͏ with some praising the Cowboys ͏for landing a ͏No͏. 1-c͏aliber receiver, while others͏ ͏criticized ͏the decision to spend significant assets on a͏ player with behavioral red flags. But one AFC personnel man believes there’s a clear reason why things could be different in Dallas.
Why George Pickens Could Thrive With the Dallas Cowboys
Despite concerns over Pickens’ maturity during his time in Pittsburgh and college, many league insiders see the Cowboys as a strong fit for the talented wideout. ESPN recently spoke with several coaches and executives, including an AFC personnel man who expressed optimism about Pickens’ future with Dallas.
Welcome to Dallas George Pickens! #dallascowboys pic.twitter.com/wdv6fj2w9h
— The Cowboys Network (@TheCowboysNet) May 20, 2025
He stated, “He’ll be a big piece there. When he’s covered, he’s really open. I know the concerns are there, but I think having an already established passing game with veterans to help him along, and the fact he’s in a contract year, will help keep him in line.”
This belief that a contract year combined ͏with ͏a veteran-led offense will hold Pickens accountable is central to why many in the N͏F͏L ͏think Dallas might ͏unlock his full ͏potential. With͏ CeeDee Lamb already͏ established as the team’s top receiving͏ threat and ͏quarterback͏ D͏ak Pr͏escott providing ͏leadership at ͏the helm, the infrastructure is in place to support ͏Pickens both on and off the field.
From a football standpoint, the fit is hard to deny. Pickens gives the Cowboys a true outside threat, an X-receiver who can beat man coverage and stretch the field vertically. This should allow Lamb to operate more freely across the formation, particularly in the middle of the field where he excels. Defenses will now have to think twice before doubling Lamb, knowing that Pickens can make them pay deep.
Dallas clearly recognized its need at wide receiver after bypassing the position in both free agency and the draft. Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin are serviceable, but they weren’t capable of assuming the WR2 role full-time. Pickens changes that dynamic instantly, pushing the rest of the receiving corps into more natural, specialized roles.
A coach within the division noted, “Dealing with CeeDee [Lamb] and him opens things up for them.” That kind of duo has the potential to elevate the passing attack and lighten defensive pressure on the run game, an area Dallas is looking to re-establish.
Ultimately, the Cowboys are gambling on talent and upside over past volatility. But if the combination of veteran leadership, offensive structure, and a contract year truly does keep Pickens “in line,” Dallas may have found the piece that transforms their offense in 2025.