Former NFL wide receiver Andrew Hawkins believes the Dallas Cowboys’ trade for George Pickens could be the catalyst that transforms the team’s offense, calling the pairing of Pickens and quarterback Dak Prescott “a match made in heaven.”
Hawkins, known as “Hawk” during his playing days and now an ESPN analyst, broke down the move on social media, highlighting Pickens’ big-play ability and how his skill set complements Dallas’ offensive scheme.
Ex-NFL WR Andrew Hawkins Believes That the Cowboys and Pickens Are an Ideal Fit
“This is a match made in heaven,” Hawkins said, explaining that Pickens’ talent for winning contested catches and stretching the field vertically will take pressure off Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb and open up new opportunities for Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense.
Pickens, who arrived in Dallas after three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is expected to slot in as the team’s No. 2 receiver.
The Cowboys acquired him in a deal that sent multiple draft picks to Pittsburgh, aiming to bolster a receiving corps that has lacked a consistent threat opposite Lamb.
“This is a match made in heaven.”@Hawk dives into why George Pickens could be the spark that ignites the Cowboys’ offense 👀 pic.twitter.com/fUttzQMYnC
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 12, 2025
Hawkins emphasized that Pickens’ presence will make it difficult for defenses to double-team Lamb, while also giving Prescott another reliable target in critical situations. “He’s the kind of receiver who can make a quarterback look good, even when the play breaks down,” Hawkins added.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed the optimism, saying the team expects Pickens to play a major role as Dallas aims for a deep playoff run in the competitive NFC East.
Pickens, entering the final year of his rookie contract, said he is focused on building chemistry with his new teammates and helping the Cowboys win. “In the game of football, we can work off each other. There’s no, ‘Oh, he gets the ball, I get the ball’—we’re working off each other. That’s why I always come back to, you know, building a winning culture, and that’s kind of what we’ve been talking about in Dallas,” Pickens said.
The Cowboys enter the season under heightened scrutiny, even with Brian Schottenheimer stepping in as head coach for the first time. After overseeing the offense for the past two years, Schottenheimer inherits a team with characteristically high expectations.
With George Pickens now in the lineup, both fans and owner Jerry Jones will be closely monitoring the team’s progress, as Pickens aims to make an immediate impact ahead of his pending free agency next offseason.