BE.George Pickens shines in Dallas: The Cowboys’ risky bet has started to pay off, but can he sustain his form and help the team reach the top or is it just a temporary move? Fans are divided on the debate!

FRISCO, Texas — When the Dallas Cowboys sent a pair of future draft picks to Pittsburgh back in May for wide receiver George Pickens, the move raised some eyebrows. The Steelers were moving on from a young, talented deep threat who had just posted a 900-yard season, while the Cowboys were gambling on upside—hoping a change of scenery would unlock Pickens’ full potential.

Four games into the 2025 season, it looks like Dallas may have struck gold.

Pickens has wasted no time making an impact in Big D, hauling in 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the first month of play. That already surpasses his touchdown total from all of last year in Pittsburgh, where he scored just three times in 14 games.

His breakout moment came in Week 4, when he torched the Green Bay Packers for 134 yards and two scores, helping the Cowboys remain undefeated and solidifying his status as Dak Prescott’s go-to target in the absence of injured star CeeDee Lamb.

From Potential to Production

While Pickens flashed big-play ability during his two seasons in Pittsburgh, consistency—and quarterback play—often held him back. Despite topping 900 receiving yards in 2024, he found the end zone only three times. Now, paired with a high-powered offense and a veteran quarterback in Prescott, Pickens is finally converting targets into touchdowns.

“He’s got all the tools—size, speed, body control, hands,” Prescott said after Sunday’s win. “What we’re seeing now is a guy who’s putting it all together. He’s playing with confidence, and he’s making big plays when we need them most.”

At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Pickens has long had the physical profile of a No. 1 wideout. What’s changed in Dallas is his opportunity—and his role. With Lamb sidelined due to a hamstring injury expected to keep him out for several weeks, Pickens has stepped up as the clear top option in the passing game.

“He’s attacking every rep, every route,” said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. “We knew he had the talent, but what’s impressed us most is how quickly he’s earned the trust of this locker room and taken on more responsibility.”

A Smart Gamble

The Cowboys acquired Pickens in a trade with the Steelers this past offseason, sending a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-rounder to Pittsburgh in return. At the time, it was seen as a modest investment for a player with WR1 potential but questions about consistency and maturity.

But after four games, the move looks like one of the savviest of the offseason.

Dallas currently boasts the No. 1 offense in the NFL in total yards per game, and Pickens has been a key piece of that success. He’s provided Prescott with a reliable downfield threat, opened up space for the running game, and helped the Cowboys stay explosive even with their top wideout sidelined.

“George fits perfectly with what we want to do offensively,” head coach Mike McCarthy said this week. “He’s a vertical threat, but he’s also showing he can be a complete receiver. He’s blocking, he’s running crisp routes, and he’s winning contested catches. You can’t ask for much more.”

More Than a Stopgap

With Lamb’s return expected sometime in October, the Cowboys will soon have one of the most dangerous receiver tandems in the league. But Pickens’ emergence isn’t just a short-term fix—it’s a sign that Dallas may have landed a long-term star.

He’s only 24, under contract through 2026, and already building strong chemistry with his quarterback. And while Lamb remains the alpha in the Cowboys’ receiving room when healthy, Pickens is proving he can be much more than a complementary piece.

“This is what I’ve been working for,” Pickens said after Sunday’s game. “I came here to compete, to contribute, and to win. And I feel like I’m just getting started.”

Looking Ahead

The Cowboys face a tough schedule over the next few weeks, including matchups with the Eagles and 49ers, both playoff contenders with elite defenses. But with Pickens heating up and the offense firing on all cylinders, Dallas looks built to compete at the highest level.

If George Pickens continues on this trajectory, the Cowboys may have found not just a bargain—but a future cornerstone.