The Dallas Cowboys raised eyebrows when they left last month’s NFL Draft without selecting a wide receiver.
But it didn’t take much longer for Dallas to fill that need — through a blockbuster trade.
The Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday for a package headlined by Dallas’ 2026 third-round pick.
Dallas also sent a 2027 fifth-round pick, while Pittsburgh included its 2027 sixth-rounder.
The early-morning trade bolsters a position group led by CeeDee Lamb, giving Dallas one of the better wide receiver duos in the NFL.
Pickens, a 6-3 target known for his big-play ability, hauled in 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games last season.
The 24-year-old has eclipsed 800 yards in each of his three NFL seasons — including in 2023, when he set career highs with 63 catches, 1,140 yards and five touchdowns.
Dallas is looking to rebound from a 7-10 season in which quarterback Dak Prescott missed the final nine games with a hamstring injury that required surgery.
The addition of Pickens fills a significant void for the Cowboys, who have struggled to find a No. 2 wide receiver since trading Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns after the 2021 season.
Other than Lamb, a Dallas wide receiver has not reached 700 receiving yards in any of the last three seasons. In November, Dallas traded its 2025 fourth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-rounder.
The Cowboys were linked to big-bodied Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the draft, but he was taken No. 8 overall — four spots ahead of Dallas — by the Panthers. Dallas then drafted Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the No. 12 pick.
The Steelers drafted Pickens out of Georgia in the second round of the 2022 draft, and his rare play-making quickly made him their No. 1 wide receiver.
But Pickens made headlines multiple times for his on-field altercations and penalties.
He got into a fight with Cleveland cornerback Greg Newsome II during a game-ending Hail Mary attempt in Week 12. The following week, Pickens picked up a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“He’s just got to grow up, man,” Tomlin said after the Bengals game. “This is an emotional game, man. These divisional games are big. He’s got a target on his back because he’s George; he understands that. But he’s got to grow up. He’s got to grow up in a hurry.”
The Steelers added D.K. Metcalf this offseason in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, giving them a new No. 1 wide receiver, and signed him to a four-year, $132 million contract extension.
Pittsburgh continues to wait on a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is weighing his options — which include signing with Pittsburgh or retiring — after being released by the Jets in March.
Dallas’ addition of Pickens continues this offseason’s NFC East arms race.
The defending champion Philadelphia Eagles extended running back Saquon Barkley, re-signed linebacker Zack Baun and drafted Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
The Washington Commanders traded for receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
And the Giants signed quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston; drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss; and drafted Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 overall pick.
https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/07/cowboys-george-pickens-trade-with-steelers-nfl/