Pickens Speaks Out on Chemistry with Dak and Cowboys

Dak Prescott was one of the first people George Pickens talked to after the electrifying receiver was traded to the quarterback's Dallas Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The trade brought Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick next year and a 2027 fifth rounder.

Acquiring Pickens ends an offseason-long saga that led Cowboys fans to wonder if the organization would ever find an "explosive No. 2 receiver" to pair with All-Pro CeeDee Lamb.

Those worries have been relieved as Jerry Jones' Cowboys found their guy.

Now it's time to get things started.

Pickens met with members of the media on a conference call Thursday afternoon and spoke very highly of his new teammates - especially the man throwing him the ball and his new co-star receiver.

"Just watching his game over the years, he's a very prolific quarterback. Smart quarterback at that," Pickens said about Prescott. "I'm grateful to be here and grateful to play with Dak.

"As far as roles and stuff like that, I'm just here to work whatever role finds me best."

That role, we assume, is him taking a backseat to Lamb, who is arguably one of the best receivers in football and a proven leader in the Cowboys locker room.

Pickens may not be accustomed to playing second fiddle as he was the Steelers' No. 1 option for the last two seasons. These comments, however, can be taken as a sign of chemistry-driven humility and acceptance...

You may find that as a rare stance. That is because, if you're familiar with Pickens' history, he has been known to burst into behavioral episodes for many reasons ... some of which relate to him getting less targets than his liking.

We aren't sure how the looks will be distributed on the field, but it's a positive that Pickens has somewhat acknowledged the reality.

Pickens kept a respectful tone about Lamb and how he believes they can fit together offensively.

"Super dynamic receiver. ... Schematically you won't be able to double everybody. That will be a great thing for me and him."

He's dead on right there.

A schematic complement to Lamb has been exactly what Dallas has lacked in the passing attack since Amari Cooper's departure in 2021.

While Lamb dices up defenses with shallow crosses and various underneath action, Pickens will have room to spread out wide, attack defenses vertically, and be the elite jump-ball receiver in tight coverage that he has been since entering the NFL.

In his three seasons in Pittsburgh, Pickens turned into one of the game's best deep threats, averaging 16.3 yards per reception. He led the NFL in that category in 2023 with an average of 18.1.

Lamb fell victim to intense coverages and frequent double-teams over the course of the last few seasons.

With Pickens on the field with him? That won't happen much longer.

That is just as much a benefit for Prescott as it is for Lamb. The Cowboys QB is entering his 10th season in the NFL and may have one of the best receiver duos in the entire NFL.

Dak has seen the organization set him up for success this offseason. If he recovers fully from last season's devastating hamstring injury, he will have all the tools - and all the responsibility - to win. 

Drafting a first-round offensive lineman, revamping the running back room, and now trading for another high-level receiver leaves Prescott with very little excuses for being successful with this weaponry.

It's now up to Dallas' new dynamic trio to band together and put on a show in the 2025 season.