Fantasy football managers are hitting the panic button on CeeDee Lamb. According to the PFSN Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, the Cowboys star appears in trade-away deals 63.5% of the time, ranking second among 74 qualified players.
Only Mike Evans gets shipped off rosters more frequently. This massive sell-off reveals deep concerns about Lamb’s fantasy value as Dallas enters a new era in 2025.
Why Fantasy Managers Are Moving On From Lamb
The numbers explain the exodus. Lamb exploded for a career-high 1,749 receiving yards in 2023, but that production crashed to 1,194 yards in 2024. While those stats still lead Dallas receivers over the past three seasons (and it’s worth noting that Lamb only played in 15 games last season compared to 17 the year before), the 555-yard drop has fantasy managers worried they’re watching the beginning of a decline.
This selling spree becomes even more puzzling when you consider Lamb’s connection with quarterback Dak Prescott. Over the past three seasons, Lamb ranks fourth among all receivers in fantasy points per target on deep passes from Prescott. That chemistry has powered his fantasy dominance, which makes managers’ eagerness to trade him away surprising.
Ceedee Lamb the definition of an elite receiver. pic.twitter.com/JtgiRG9hL6
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 23, 2025
The truth is that Lamb’s role in Dallas has shifted dramatically. For three straight seasons, he dominated targets without any real competition. The Cowboys’ receiving corps around him remained mediocre at best.
Brandin Cooks posted the highest non-Lamb yardage total since 2022 with just 657 yards in 2023. That lack of talent allowed Lamb to feast on targets. Now, everything is changing.
The George Pickens Factor Changes Everything
George Pickens represents the biggest threat to Lamb’s target monopoly in years. The Steelers receiver, whose move to Dallas could transform the Cowboys’ passing game, excels at the deep ball.
Over the past three seasons, 37.2% of Pickens’ targets have traveled 15 or more yards downfield, ranking 11th among all receivers. That rate beats explosive stars like Tyreek Hill, DK Metcalf, and Nico Collins.
Pickens won’t necessarily steal Lamb’s targets immediately, but his arrival creates Dallas’ first true one-two punch at receiver since Amari Cooper left town. For fantasy managers, this creates a complex situation. Pickens’ vertical speed could actually help Lamb by preventing defenses from double-teaming him constantly. However, it also means fewer total opportunities in an offense that has thrived on force-feeding its top receiver.
The fascinating part is how both receivers excel on deep routes. Prescott has proven he can support multiple downfield weapons, but fantasy managers worry about target distribution.
Will having two deep threats boost both players by creating more explosive plays? Or will they steal ceiling games from each other? History suggests elite receivers can coexist, but the adjustment period could be rocky for fantasy teams.
Navigating the Trade Market
Fantasy managers holding Lamb face a tough decision. The 63.5% trade-away rate shows widespread concern, but it also means the market is flooded with sellers. This oversupply could drive Lamb’s trade value below what his talent deserves. Patient managers might find better deals by waiting for the market to stabilize.
Buyers should recognize the opportunity here. Lamb’s elite route-running and connection with Prescott haven’t vanished. The Cowboys’ new offensive system under head coach Brian Schottenheimer could create fresh opportunities for efficient production. Smart managers are betting on talent over situation, especially when that talent has proven chemistry with a franchise quarterback.
The Mike Evans comparison offers hope for Lamb believers. Evans maintains elite fantasy production despite sharing targets with Chris Godwin for years, proving that top receivers can thrive in pairs.
The key difference is that Tampa Bay’s offense has always featured multiple weapons, while Dallas is transitioning from a one-man show. How Lamb adapts to this new reality will determine whether current sellers celebrate or regret their trades come playoff time.
Training camp reports will provide crucial clues about target distribution and offensive philosophy. Fantasy managers should monitor how Schottenheimer plans to use his weapons and whether Lamb can reclaim his 2023 dominance.
The receiver who commanded 181 targets just two seasons ago still has the skills to produce elite numbers. The question is whether Dallas’ evolving offense will let him showcase them.