Outside of trading their best player, this offseason, the Cowboys set out with one clear mission: find a legit running mate for CeeDee Lamb. After passing on top receivers in the NFL Draft, the Cowboys turned to George Pickens, who arrived from Pittsburgh with some character concerns and questions about fit. So far, the move looks like a home run.
Pickens has impressed throughout training camp, showing off his contested catch ability while fully buying into the Cowboys’ program. And perhaps most importantly, he seems rejuvenated by the change of scenery.
“It was good for me,” Pickens recently told Jane Slater. “Just strictly because, you know, when you’re somewhere long and you build a certain record, a certain label—whether that’s good, great, or bad—you just want a fresh start. That’s how I feel like it is with a lot of people in life.”
For Pickens, Dallas represents that reset button. The slate is clean, the opportunity is wide open, and Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles could be his coming-out party for his new squad.
A PLUS MATCHUP AGAINST THE EAGLES
The Cowboys open the season with a tough road test against the Eagles, and while CeeDee Lamb is still the focal point of the passing game, Philadelphia’s secondary is built to limit slot production. Second-year standouts Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are already establishing themselves as stars, and they’ll make Lamb work for every target.
That attention should free up Pickens on the outside, where he’ll see plenty of Adoree’ Jackson. Jackson has had an uneven career and enters this season as Philly’s default CB2 after Darius Slay departed in free agency. Since 2022, Jackson has allowed 7.6 yards per target and 13.2 yards per completion, per Pro Football Reference. Those are exploitable numbers for a physical receiver like Pickens.
SCHEME FIT IN DALLAS
If there’s one thing that makes Pickens particularly intriguing in Dallas, it’s how well his game meshes with Dak Prescott’s tendencies. Prescott has long favored vertical, back-shoulder, and stop routes when attacking defenses. Although those routes aren’t the most efficient, Pickens might be the perfect remedy.
Since entering the NFL in 2022, Pickens ranks second only to Tyreek Hill in yards gained on “go” routes, according to NextGenStats. He also sits top-10 in yards gained on hitch and stop routes, routes Prescott has leaned on heavily throughout his career. Combine that with Pickens’ second-best contested catch rate in the league, and suddenly those tight-window throws don’t look so dangerous.
Even Pickens himself admits we will finally see him in a role that suits his skill set:
“I’d probably say it’s definitely in a different scheme, and that’s probably what they always wanted to see,” Pickens said. “Other people, fans of different teams, they definitely want to see me in a different scheme.”
This scheme gives him the opportunity to play as a true “X” receiver on the outside while allowing Lamb to move freely around the formation. It’s a natural pairing, and Week 1 offers the first real look at how this new passing attack functions.
GEORGE PICKENS WEEK 1 FANTASY OUTLOOK
From a fantasy football perspective, Pickens looks like a strong Week 1 start across formats. The Wolf has him ranked as WR22 (+9 vs ECR), slotting him in WR2 territory. Whether you’re deploying him as your WR2, WR3, or Flex, Pickens is positioned to benefit from single coverage and volume as the Eagles load up to stop Lamb.
On the opposite side, Prescott’s history against Vic Fangio defenses has been mixed, with two solid outings and one clunker back in 2021, but this version of the Cowboys’ offense has more balance. Pickens isn’t expected to be the alpha, but that’s what makes him dangerous: he’ll rarely be the defense’s primary focus.
For fantasy managers who like to dabble in props, Pickens’ over/under of 55.5 receiving yards is appealing, especially given his big-play profile. At +220 to score a touchdown on FanDuel, he’s a sneaky bet to find the end zone in what should be a high-scoring NFC East battle.
FINAL THOUGHTS
George Pickens has always had the raw talent to be a difference-maker, and now he finally has the role and scheme to unlock it. The fresh start in Dallas has given him both a clean slate and a quarterback who can consistently get him the football. Against a Philadelphia secondary with holes outside of its star CB1, Pickens has the chance to deliver an immediate statement.
For fantasy football, he’s a must-start in Week 1.
Start George Pickens with confidence.
