Cowboys Floated as Landing Spot for 29-TD WR Despite Blockbuster Addition of George Pickens From Steelers

The Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL world this offseason by acquiring Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens via trade. The move adds another weapon to complement star receiver CeeDee Lamb.

Now, with Pickens entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Cowboys could double down on their passing attack by signing free agent Gabe Davis, who brings a unique playoff pedigree to Dallas.

Why Gabe Davis Makes Sense for Dallas’ Rebuilt Offense

The Cowboys’ 2025 receiver group will again be led by Lamb, one of the league’s most productive players in recent years. In 2023, he posted career highs with 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Then, Lamb followed it up last season with 100+ receptions and nearly 1,200 yards receiving.

Pickens gives the Cowboys a reliable 1-on-1 threat on the outside. He should see plenty of isolated matchups as the second option behind Lamb. That wasn’t the case in Pittsburgh, and it could make a big difference in his production for 2025.

While Jalen Tolbert showed improvement in his third season last year, finishing with 49 catches for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, his sample size remains relatively small to establish him as a reliable WR3.

This is where Davis enters the picture. His 2024 season was shortened by a season-ending knee injury in November with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he is now a free agent looking for his next opportunity.

WHAT A START! GABE DAVIS 98 YARDS! 💨

(via @BuffaloBills)pic.twitter.com/s7kNzeY1TB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 9, 2022

While there’s a possibility he could reunite with the Buffalo Bills, where he spent the first four seasons of his career, CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan suggested he could also reunite with his former and Dallas’ current passing game specialist, Ken Dorsey.

“Yes, the Cowboys just acquired a wide receiver, but why not double-dip? That’s particularly true with Davis, who has a relationship with current Dallas passing game specialist Ken Dorsey,” Sullivan wrote.

“Before landing with the Cowboys, Dorsey rose through the coaching ranks with the Bills and was the offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2023 before being fired mid-season. In that time, Davis was productive under Dorsey and even acknowledged that he was “heartbroken” when he was fired. The veteran might seek a reunion in Dallas if the relationship was that strong.”

Davis’ Playoff Heroics Could Fill Cowboys’ Postseason Void

Davis earned his “Big Game Gabe” nickname through his postseason performances, particularly during Buffalo’s 2021 playoff run. He was Josh Allen’s second option that season behind Stefon Diggs, and he delivered in the biggest moments.

His most memorable performance came against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Davis posted eight receptions, 201 yards, and four touchdowns that night, though the Bills ultimately lost in overtime. That four-touchdown performance tied an NFL playoff record and showcased his ability to rise to the occasion when stakes are highest.

Over his four seasons in Buffalo, Davis recorded 2,730 total receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 163 receptions in 64 games. His production remained consistent as a complementary receiver, averaging 16.7 yards per catch during his time with the Bills.

However, Davis struggled to replicate that success in his lone season with the Jaguars. The 6’2″ receiver appeared in just 10 games before suffering a torn meniscus, finishing with 20 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns. The injury ended what had already been a disappointing campaign in Jacksonville.

At 26 years old and with his knee injury expected to be fully healed by training camp, Davis represents a low-risk, high-reward signing opportunity. His familiarity with Dorsey’s system and proven ability to perform in crucial moments could provide the Cowboys with exactly what they’ve been missing in recent playoff disappointments.

For a franchise looking to end its decades-long Super Bowl drought, adding a receiver with Davis’ postseason pedigree could prove invaluable when January football arrives.