Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire George Pickens, adding an explosive wide receiver to quarterback Dak Prescott’s arsenal, ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
In exchange for a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, the Cowboys nabbed Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are throwing in the towel on Pickens with their attention turned to DK Metcalf as their top receiver.
NFL Executives Sound Off on Dallas Cowboys George Pickens Trade
Executives across the NFL believe that Pickens can be a legitimate difference-maker, if he leaves his drama behind in Pittsburgh.
“This is going to be huge for Dallas,” a veteran NFL scout told me, shortly after the trade went down. “If Pickens can keep his head on straight. But, how many diva wide receivers like him have ever kept their head on straight?”
Pickens’ immaturity has been well documented in Pittsburgh, which likely led to the Steelers trading him despite the fact that he averaged 15.3 yards per reception last season as a matchup nightmare and legitimate deep threat.
Now in Dallas, Pickens becomes a dynamic counterpunch opposite CeeDee Lamb, a long-sought after complementary weapon that the Cowboys have been hoping to drop into Prescott’s supporting cast since trading away Amari Cooper back in 2022.
Last season, Pickens caught 59 passes for 900 yards and three touchdowns, and is entering the final year of his rookie contract with something to prove.
One top NFL executive believes Pickens has the chance to be a mismatch factory for Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense.
“He creates big mismatches,” a rival NFC Executive tells me of Pickens. “Dak is going to love him in the deep passing game.”
That’s clearly what the Cowboys are hoping for with this trade, both in 2025 and beyond.
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