George Pickens trade: New Cowboys wide receiver gives first impressions of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb

The George Pickens trade was made official on Thursday. Pickens was in Dallas for a press conference and shortly after, both teams announced the previously reported on terms. A new wide receiver will have a star on his helmet for at least the 2025 season.

A major hangup with Pickens during his time in Pittsburgh has been the revolving door at quarterback. But with the Cowboys, there is no doubt about who will be throwing him the ball. Dak Prescott is locked up in the long term and looking healthy following a long-term injury. And Pickens appears to be a fan of Prescott, at least while he was watching from afar.

“Just watching his game over the years, he’s a very prolific QB,” Pickens said. “Smart QB. I’m just glad to be working with him.”

Pickens’ game has recently been likened to Michael Gallup, someone Prescott had success with. Gallup caught 266 passes for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns during his time in Dallas. Not all of those were from Prescott, but the majority were.

When the Cowboys gave Gallup a contract extension, the goal was to have him be the second wide receiver to CeeDee Lamb. Pickens is now expected to be that guy, another situation he is excited about.

Being Pittsburgh’s top weapon meant some double teams headed Pickens’ way at times. Putting two on him would then mean leaving Lamb on an island and vice versa. Pickens sees where some one-on-one scenarios are in his near future.

“Super dynamic receiver,” Pickens said. “…Schematically, you won’t be able to double everybody. That will be a great thing for me and him.”

The chemistry between Prescott and Lamb is already well known and more than proven. Lamb has become one of the NFL’s best with four 1,000-yard seasons in five years. Dallas is paying him accordingly too, signing a four-year $136 million contract in the offseason.

Lamb was doing it on his own at times, though. Whether Prescott was healthy or not, defenses did not have another wide receiver to be afraid of in the Cowboys’ passing attack. Finding a new weapon was a requirement going into the offseason.

Many thought somebody would emerge from the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, the trade market is where Dallas found itself shopping. Pickens will be the one now getting his turn with the Cowboys, having glowing reviews of a couple of new teammates early on.