Does the George Pickens trade make the Dallas Cowboys a playoff contender? Experts have a firm stance ahead of 2025 NFL season

When the Dallas Cowboys pulled the trigger on their trade for George Pickens, my overreaction was simple and straightforward: With the move, the team had a Top 5 wide receiver duo in the NFL and had made the leap to being back in playoff contention. 

Mind you, I don't see the Cowboys as a top Super Bowl contender or anything like that. There are too many question marks to claim that. But at least they have a viable offense with Pickens, whereas before their wide receiver room looked painfully thin beyond CeeDee Lamb. 

However, sportsbooks aren't sold on the te team just yet. 

According to Bet365 odds, the Cowboys are expected to miss the cut next January, sitting at +210 to make the postseason. That translates to an implied probability of 32.26%. In contrast, the Washington Commanders are at 58.33%. 

I don't blame oddsmakers for being there. After all, the Cowboys have serious roster holes at positions like nose tackle, linebacker, and cornerback, where DeMarvion Overshown and Trevon Diggs are projected to miss the start of the season. On offense, running back and both tackle spots are huge question marks.

And then there's the elephant in the room: Brian Schottenheimer is a first-year head coach and it's also Klayton Adams' first year as offensive coordinator. 

That's one too many question marks in a division expected to be dominated by the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles while Commanders QB Jayden Daniels goes into his second year in the NFL. Unless the Washington quarterback endures a sophomore slump like C.J. Stroud's, he should keep Dan Quinn's team in the mix. 

The Cowboys also rank 22nd in strength of schedule (32nd being the hardest) per Sharp Football Analysis, so fighting for a wild card won't be as easy when going up against NFC foes like the Tampa Bay Bucs, Seattle Seahawks, L.A. Rams, and others. 

The Cowboys hope Pickens' arrival makes the offense bounce back to its 2023 self, when Dak Prescott went on a MVP-runner-up run. If Dallas can get anywhere close to that level, they should beat the odds. But it's a massive if and they'll need plenty of unknowns to go their way if they're going to make the cut.