Dallas Cowboys Find Their Potential No. 2 Wide Receiver
The Dallas Cowboys have found their potential No. 2 wide receiver behind CeeDee Lamb.
The Cowboys announced Wednesday morning they have agreed to a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers that will send George Pickens to Dallas.
The trade will send Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas. Pittsburgh receives a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
George Pickens’ Background and Statistics
Pickens, 24, had 59 catches for 900 yards and three touchdowns last season. He posted at least 50 receptions, 800 yards and three touchdowns in each of his three seasons with the Steelers.
Pickens is entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract. He is represented by David Mulugheta, who also serves as the agent for star Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Both players are currently seeking long-term extensions. Pickens is set to make $3.6 million for the 2025 season.
Cowboys’ Front Office Moves
After not landing a wide receiver in the draft, a move questioned by some, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office found another path to add a weapon for quarterback Dak Prescott.
“We’re looking at two things that could happen before or after the draft,” Jones told reporters before the draft last month. “Two pretty substantive trades.”
After the draft, Jones reminded reporters of something his son, co-owner and COO Stephen Jones, said.
“Stephen says it best, it’s a 24 [year] round deal. But we don’t have to be through at receiver in any way.”
Jerry Jones also noted the 2025 fourth-round pick given up last year in a trade with Carolina for receiver Jonathan Mingo.
George Pickens’ On-Field Transgressions
Pickens, a second-round pick in 2022 out of Georgia, is among the most talented players in the league, but he also has been fined numerous times for on-the-field transgressions.
In early October last season, Pickens was fined after a loss to the Cowboys for an on-field scuffle with former Dallas cornerback Jourdan Lewis, as well as being a little lighter in the wallet for an explicit message he had displayed during the contest on his eye-black.
Overall, he reportedly has been fined 10 times by the league.
“There’s certainly obviously more room for growth there,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in January. “I think he covered some ground in 2024, but there’s certainly a heck of a lot more ground to be covered, and we’ll see where it leaves us.”
Cowboys’ Roster Competition
Now, Pickens is on the move to Dallas.
Competing to make the roster behind Lamb, Pickens, Mingo and KaVontae Turpin are Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Ryan Flournoy, Kelvin Harmon, Parris Campbell and Jalen Cropper.
Seth Williams was also in that group, but the received was waived Wednesday to make room on the roster for Pickens. Williams originally joined Dallas’ practice squad last October and signed a reserve/future deal with the team in January.
The class includes standout wide receivers from Texas Tech and Oregon.
Nearly every member of Schottenheimer’s first coaching staff wasn’t with Dallas last season. Get to know them here.
The newest outside threat for Dallas caught 174 passes for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns in three NFL seasons.
Conclusion
The addition of George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys is a significant move that could potentially boost their offense. With his talent and experience, he could become a valuable asset to the team. However, his on-field transgressions are a concern that the team will need to address. Overall, the trade is a positive move for the Cowboys, and fans will be excited to see how Pickens performs in the upcoming season.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who did the Dallas Cowboys trade for?
A: The Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens, a wide receiver from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Q: What did the Cowboys give up in the trade?
A: The Cowboys gave up a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
