George Pickens-CeeDee Lamb WR1 debate is of no consequence to Cowboys

Heading into the 2026 season, it's unclear whether George Pickens or CeeDee Lamb is the No. 1 wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. That's not a problem. 

A real issue would be if the Cowboys had zero reliable pass-catchers. Instead, they feature two elite ones, who could once again power a high-flying offense.

Why Cowboys are lucky to have George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb 

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler published his annual top 10 WR rankings on Wednesday with input from coaches, scouts and executives. Lamb ranked No. 6, while Pickens came in at No. 7. One coach would flip that order. 

"It's Pickens," a coordinator said when asked who Dallas ' WR1 is. "He has emerged."

After the Pittsburgh Steelers traded Pickens to the Cowboys in May 2025, the mercurial WR finally began to realize his potential. Last season, the 2022 second-round pick logged career highs in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdown catches (nine), earning a second-team All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl selection. 

Lamb's numbers didn't tank, by the way. He had 75 receptions for 1,077 receiving yards and three TD catches and was named to a fifth consecutive Pro Bowl. The WR may have been more productive had he not battled a left ankle issue throughout the season. 

"I expect him to have a bounce-back year," another NFL coordinator said of Lamb. "He was never quite the same [last year] off that ankle injury."

Lamb trying to re-establish himself as the team's alpha in the passing attack would raise concerns about him and Pickens potentially bickering over targets. Their contracts could also create tension. 

Lamb is entering the third year of a four-year, $136M deal. Pickens, meanwhile, is set to play on the franchise tag (one year, $27.298M). He insists he's not thinking about a long-term deal as the season approaches.

"I'm here to definitely help the team," Pickens said at mandatory minicamp (h/t NFL Media/ESPN reporter Ian Rapoport). [Not thinking about] the tag and all that. It's football first. You know what I mean?"