When George Pickens came out of Georgia after the 2021 season, he was a surefire, blue-chip prospect. He sat out most of the 2021 season with an ACL injury but returned to play in the National Championship Game 2022. He made only one play, but it was a big one. With Georgia down 3-0 to Alabama late in the first quarter, Pickens made a diving 52-yard catch that got Georgia’s offense started.
Georgia went on to win 33-18 and secure their first national title since the 1980 season. Pickens finished his career with the Bulldogs with 90 receptions in 24 games for 1,347 yards (15 YPR) and 14 touchdowns. Pickens had first-round talent, but his knee injury and concerns about his maturity saw him drop to the second round, where the Pittsburgh Steelers took him 52nd overall in the 2022 NFL draft.
Over his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Pickens flashed his enormous potential, making one-handed catches and spectacular plays on the outside. He also frustrated the team with unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and social media outbursts, leading head coach Mike Tomlin to publicly criticize him.
What Did the Steelers Get in Return for George Pickens?
Even before the Steelers signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, getting Pickens off their books seemed to be at the front of the team’s priorities. Despite tallying 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns and needing someone to play opposite D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers shipped Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas in return for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Steelers never intended to extend Pickens beyond his rookie contract, and the pairing never seemed to work, so getting anything in return for him was going to be considered a win in Pittsburgh.
Dallas saw the trade completely differently. They wanted a true No. 2 receiver to play opposite superstar CeeDee Lamb. They had been missing that element for years, and even though Lamb had proven he could be the central cog in the passing offense, the thinking was that Pickens could unlock multiple opportunities for both of them. The Cowboys are graded a B on PFSN NFL Offense Impact.
Unfortunately, Lamb injured his ankle in Week 2, and his status for the season has been questioned. This leaves Pickens as their presumed No. 1 receiver.
Through three games, Pickens has caught 13 catches with 22 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Cowboys’ dream scenario of Lamb and Pickens taking turns taking the tops off defenses and tearing up seams in opposing zone defenses is on hold while Lamb heals up.
The Steelers have moved on. Metcalf has taken over as their lead receiver. In Sunday morning’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, he torched the Vikings with five receptions for 126 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.
