Cowboys WR depth chart: How George Pickens fits with CeeDee Lamb as WR2 weapon for Dak Prescott
Context:
The Dallas Cowboys have strategically enhanced their wide receiver lineup by acquiring George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, aiming to form a powerful tandem with All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb. This acquisition is part of a broader effort to provide quarterback Dak Prescott with formidable offensive options as he returns from injury. Pickens joins the Cowboys after a turbulent tenure with the Steelers, offering a fresh start and potential to further his career in a more supportive environment. Meanwhile, Jalen Tolbert is emerging as a promising talent, capitalizing on the focus defenses will place on Lamb and Pickens. The addition of Jonathan Mingo and KaVontae Turpin further strengthens the Cowboys' receiving corps, promising increased offensive potency and depth for the upcoming season.
Dive Deeper:
George Pickens has been traded from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Dallas Cowboys in a move expected to revitalize the Cowboys' wide receiving capabilities by pairing him with CeeDee Lamb, an established three-time All-Pro receiver.
Pickens, now in his fourth NFL season, has shown impressive performance even amidst challenges with the Steelers, recording 59 catches for 900 yards in 14 games despite team instability.
CeeDee Lamb has solidified his status as a top NFL wide receiver, achieving All-Pro recognition multiple times and posting significant stats like 101 receptions for 1,194 yards in 2024.
Jalen Tolbert, a former third-round pick, enjoyed a breakout 2024 season with 49 catches for 610 yards and led the team with seven touchdowns, poised to benefit from defenses concentrating on Lamb and Pickens.
Jonathan Mingo, although not yet fully productive, was acquired at a significant cost with the expectation that he will develop alongside Prescott, providing strategic depth to the Cowboys' roster.
KaVontae Turpin, recognized as an All-Pro specialist, adds speed and potential for explosive plays in the receiving room, coming off a career year with 31 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cowboys' strategic moves in bolstering their receiving lineup reflect their commitment to rebounding from a 7-10 season in 2024, with the hope of maximizing their offensive efficiency and success in the upcoming NFL season.
The Cowboys have made a major offseason splash to strengthen their wide receiving corps.
Dallas is moving to acquire George Pickens from the Steelers in an overnight deal, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal will pair Pickens with three-time All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, forming a formidable set of options for Dak Prescott as he returns from a season-ending injury.
After plenty of ups and downs, the partnership between Pickens and Pittsburgh had run its course, and the 24-year-old gets a fresh start with a franchise looking to bounce back after stumbling into a 7-10 record in 2024.
Here's how Dallas' group of wide receivers is taking shape after the big move to bring in Pickens.
George Pickens trade
Cowboys receive- WR George Pickens
- 2027 sixth-round pick
- 2026 third-round pick
- 2027 fifth-round pick
Cowboys WR depth chart
WR Player 1 CeeDee Lamb 2 George Pickens 3 Jalen Tolbert 4 Jonathan Mingo 5 KaVontae Turpin 1. CeeDee Lamb
Five seasons in, Lamb has solidified himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.He's earned All-Pro recognition thrice in his career, including a Second-team nod in 2024, after catching 101 passes for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns. Lamb posted those numbers despite battling injuries and catching passes from multiple quarterbacks.
At just 26, the best is yet to come for Lamb, who is Dallas' franchise player.
2. George Pickens
Pickens is entering his fourth NFL season and his first three have been nothing short of impressive.Despite the QB saga in Pittsburgh, Pickens snagged 59 catches for 900 yards in just 14 games. It was the first season in which he missed time and had he played in all 17 games, Pickens would have likely turned in the second 1,000-yard season of his career.
Pickens has had his fair share of issues with personal fouls and butting heads with others in the locker room, but a fresh start in a new environment could help mitigate issues he once had with the Steelers.
3. Jalen Tolbert
Tolbert is a former third-round pick who experienced a breakout season with Dallas in 2024. After combining for 280 yards in his first two seasons, Tolbert started in 15 games in 2024, catching 49 passes for 610 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.With defenses focusing on the 1-2 punch of Lamb and Pickens, Tolbert is in a position to build upon his big year.
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4. Jonathan Mingo
As of now, the idea of Mingo is better than the production, but Dallas made a serious investment in acquiring him. It will look to get the most out of that investment after a full training camp and time to develop chemistry with Prescott.Mingo only caught five passes for 46 yards in his eight appearances with Dallas last season, but there's a reason the Cowboys parted ways with a fourth-round pick to acquire the 24-year-old. They'll look to show the rest of the league why in 2025.
5. KaVontae Turpin
Turpin earned First-team All-Pro honors as a specialist in 2024, but that doesn't take away from what the speedster has shown as a wideout.He's coming off a career year highlighted by 31 receptions for 420 yards and two touchdown catches. He, too, should benefit from the bolstered receiving room as he will have even more potential for big plays over the top.
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