Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been named to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list for the first time in his career, coming in at No. 66. The 25-year-old recently signed the franchise tag after he and the Cowboys’ front office were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension following a career-best season. In his first year with Dallas after being acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickens recorded career highs with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns.
Photo Cred: DLLS Sports
His previous personal bests were 63 catches, 1,140 yards, and five touchdowns. Pickens showed plenty of potential during his three seasons in Pittsburgh, but he never had consistent quarterback play and developed a reputation for immaturity after several on-field incidents resulted in costly penalties. Pairing him with quarterback Dak Prescott allowed Pickens to thrive, as he surprisingly outproduced Dallas’ longtime No. 1 receiver and three-time All-Pro, CeeDee Lamb.
With Prescott and Lamb already accounting for significant portions of the Cowboys’ salary cap, it remains to be seen whether the team will be able to re-sign Pickens after this season. Dallas already made a blockbuster move by trading superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons before last season after the two sides were unable to agree on a contract that matched his market value.
Perhaps Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office could make another bold decision by trading Lamb and using the resulting salary cap space to sign Pickens to a long-term deal. Lamb is two years older than Pickens and battled ankle injuries and a concussion last season, while finishing with his lowest totals in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns since his rookie campaign. Either way, Dallas should once again field one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses if the team can stay healthy.
Photo Cred: D Magazine
The Cowboys finished sixth in total offense last season but posted just a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs because their defense ranked last in the league. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer enters his second season with an offense loaded with talent. If Dallas’ defense can improve from the league’s worst to even slightly below average, the Cowboys should have a legitimate chance to win at least 10 games and could find themselves competing for the NFC East title.
