Pickens to Dallas: Fantasy Football Impact and New Value for the Cowboys WR

Pickens to Dallas: Fantasy Football Impact and New Value for the Cowboys WR

The Dallas Cowboys are making headlines early in the 2025 season with a blockbuster trade, acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. This move has sent shockwaves through the NFL and the fantasy football community, sparking debates about the new value Pickens brings to the Cowboys’ offense and the overall impact on fantasy leagues. With Dak Prescott back from injury and Brian Schottenheimer taking full control as head coach, the Cowboys are looking to revitalize their offense and make a serious Super Bowl run.

The Trade Details

The Cowboys sent a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Owner Jerry Jones had hinted at a “substantive” trade, and this move certainly fits the bill. Pickens, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, provides an immediate upgrade to the Cowboys’ receiving corps and a dynamic partner for CeeDee Lamb.

Fantasy Football Impact: George Pickens

Pickens’ fantasy value gets a significant boost with this trade. In Pittsburgh, he struggled to consistently produce top-tier numbers, despite flashes of brilliance. In 2023, he finished as a top-30 fantasy wide receiver, but his production dipped in 2024. However, the Steelers’ offense saw just 224 total targets to wide receivers last season—the fewest in the league. The acquisition of DK Metcalf further complicated the target distribution.

Now in Dallas, Pickens will face competition for targets from Lamb, but the Cowboys’ offense offers far more opportunities. Dallas wide receivers saw 378 targets in 2024, the third-most in the league. The key to Pickens’ fantasy upside will be Dak Prescott’s performance. Prescott has supported two fantasy-relevant wide receivers in the past, most recently Lamb and Amari Cooper in 2021.

Potential Fantasy Outcome:

  • Upside: WR2 with boom-or-bust potential. If Prescott returns to form and Pickens develops a strong rapport with him, he could become a reliable fantasy starter.
  • Downside: WR3 with inconsistent production. He may struggle to command elite target volume, leading to unpredictable weekly performances.

Fantasy Football Impact: CeeDee Lamb

CeeDee Lamb remains the clear No. 1 wide receiver in Dallas, and this trade shouldn’t significantly impact his target share. Lamb is coming off a season where he finished as WR8, despite dealing with injuries to Prescott and inconsistent quarterback play. In 2023, Lamb finished first in fantasy points for wide receivers.

The addition of Pickens could actually benefit Lamb by drawing coverage away from him. Defenses will now have to account for another solid receiving threat, potentially leading to softer coverage for Lamb and more efficient production.

Potential Fantasy Outcome:

  • Likely: Remains a top-5 WR in fantasy football.
  • Slight Chance: Slight decrease in targets, but an increase in efficiency.

Fantasy Football Impact: Dak Prescott

This trade is a clear upgrade for Dak Prescott, who needed another viable weapon to maintain his fantasy ceiling. Prescott has proven that he can be a top-tier quarterback when healthy and with a solid team around him. The Cowboys were criticized for not getting any WR2 help for Prescott to complement Lamb.

Prescott has shown that he can support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers. In 2021, both Lamb and Amari Cooper were valuable fantasy assets. With Pickens in the fold, Prescott has a shot at getting back to the 35+ passing touchdown range.

Potential Fantasy Outcome:

  • Likely: Top-10 fantasy quarterback with the potential for more.
  • Dependent On: Health and offensive line performance.

Fantasy Football Impact: Jake Ferguson

The addition of Pickens likely hurts Jake Ferguson’s fantasy value. Ferguson was projected to be second in the pecking order for targets before the trade. Now, he’s easily knocked down to third. He was projected to be second in the pecking order for targets before the trade. Now, he’s easily knocked down to third.

Potential Fantasy Outcome:

  • Likely: A later-round flier at the tight end position or an average TE1 in deeper leagues.

The New Value for the Cowboys WR

The Cowboys’ wide receiver room has been a topic of discussion for years. Since the departure of Amari Cooper, the team has struggled to find a consistent No. 2 option to pair with Lamb. Names like Michael Gallup, Noah Brown, and Brandin Cooks have filled the role, but none have provided the consistent production the Cowboys need.

Pickens brings a unique skill set to the Cowboys’ offense. He’s a deep-play threat who averaged 16.7 yards per reception the past two seasons. He’s also the only NFL player over each of the past three seasons to post 50-plus receptions, 800-plus receiving yards, and average 15-plus yards per reception.

With Brian Schottenheimer now at the helm, the Cowboys are expected to implement a more vertical, aggressive passing game. Pickens’ ability to stretch the field and win contested catches makes him a perfect fit for this offensive scheme.

Concerns and Considerations

While the trade has generated excitement, there are some concerns about Pickens’ fit in Dallas. He has a history of emotional outbursts and sideline altercations. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin alluded to Pickens needing to “grow up in a hurry.”

The Cowboys are banking on Pickens maturing and focusing on his game. If he can manage his emotions and stay out of trouble, he has the potential to become a star in Dallas.

The Updated Cowboys WR Depth Chart

Here’s a look at the Cowboys’ updated wide receiver depth chart:

  1. CeeDee Lamb
  2. George Pickens
  3. Jalen Tolbert
  4. KaVontae Turpin
  5. Jonathan Mingo
  6. Jalen Brooks
  7. Ryan Flournoy
  8. Parris Campbell
  9. Jalen Moreno-Cropper
  10. Kelvin Harmon
  11. Traeshon Holden
  12. Josh Kelly

The battle to watch will be who emerges as the third wide receiver option for the Cowboys. Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo are the two names that rise to the top.

Conclusion

The trade for George Pickens has the potential to transform the Cowboys’ offense and elevate their fantasy football value. Pickens brings a dynamic skill set and a much-needed deep threat to Dallas. While there are some concerns about his maturity, the potential reward outweighs the risk. With Dak Prescott back and a new offensive-minded head coach, the Cowboys are poised for a big season.