This article is part of our NFL Reactions series.
The Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Steelers on Wednesday for a third-round pick and a pick swap, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The fantasy football implications are substantial -- not just for Pickens, but for Dak Prescott, Jalen Tolbert and DK Metcalf. Let's break it down.
George Pickens Career Stats
Pickens averaged 58 receptions, 947 yards, four touchdowns and 98 targets in three years with the Steelers. That's solid production considering the carousel of quarterbacks -- Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields -- who started during that stretch. The biggest knock on Pickens' value was a lack of stable QB play.
How George Pickens Fits into the Dallas Cowboys Offense
In Dallas, Pickens will get a quarterback upgrade with Dak Prescott, along with a defined role across from CeeDee Lamb. Lamb dominates the short and intermediate areas, which sets up Pickens to attack downfield. This could lead to more efficient targets and higher-value plays. You can view the updated Dallas Cowboys depth chart for more context.
How The George Pickens Trade Affects Fantasy Football Rankings
Pickens has been drafted outside the top-36 WRs early in this fantasy season. That's about to change. With increased opportunity and an upgraded offense, he's likely to move into the WR30 range, with a real shot to finish inside the top 24.
Dak Prescott Fantasy Football Outlook After The Pickens Trade
Dak Prescott was viewed a fantasy backup, going outside
The Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Steelers on Wednesday for a third-round pick and a pick swap, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The fantasy football implications are substantial -- not just for Pickens, but for Dak Prescott, Jalen Tolbert and DK Metcalf. Let's break it down.
George Pickens Career Stats
Pickens averaged 58 receptions, 947 yards, four touchdowns and 98 targets in three years with the Steelers. That's solid production considering the carousel of quarterbacks -- Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields -- who started during that stretch. The biggest knock on Pickens' value was a lack of stable QB play.
How George Pickens Fits into the Dallas Cowboys Offense
In Dallas, Pickens will get a quarterback upgrade with Dak Prescott, along with a defined role across from CeeDee Lamb. Lamb dominates the short and intermediate areas, which sets up Pickens to attack downfield. This could lead to more efficient targets and higher-value plays. You can view the updated Dallas Cowboys depth chart for more context.
How The George Pickens Trade Affects Fantasy Football Rankings
Pickens has been drafted outside the top-36 WRs early in this fantasy season. That's about to change. With increased opportunity and an upgraded offense, he's likely to move into the WR30 range, with a real shot to finish inside the top 24.
Dak Prescott Fantasy Football Outlook After The Pickens Trade
Dak Prescott was viewed a fantasy backup, going outside the top-15 QBs in many drafts. Adding Pickens boosts his upside. With Lamb, Pickens and Jake Ferguson in place, Prescott is now firmly on the fantasy QB1 radar.
Jalen Tolbert Fantasy Football Outlook After The Pickens Trade
Tolbert had earned buzz as a potential starter after performing well in 2024 when given volume. In four games with six or more targets, he produced more than 80 yards in three of them. With Pickens now in the mix, Tolbert drops back into a depth role and likely becomes an afterthought in redraft leagues.
Steelers Wide Receiver Shuffle
On the Steelers' side, Calvin Austin, Robert Woods and Roman Wilson are now competing for targets behind DK Metcalf. With Mason Rudolph the No. 1 QB on the depth chart, it's not an ideal situation, but Metcalf becomes a clear top-24 fantasy WR due to sheer target volume. For those looking to bet on Metcalf's yardage or touchdowns, you can use the RotoWire Picks app.
How does the George Pickens trade affect the value of the players involved? Visit RotoWire's fantasy football rankings to find out the impact. You can find those rankings and more in our Fantasy Football Draft Kit.
Jim Coventry's Final Thoughts
Pickens finally gets a legitimate QB, and fantasy managers should take notice. He's a value riser in fantasy football ADP, while Prescott gains sneaky upside. Tolbert loses steam, and Metcalf gains volume in a downgraded offense. For more of my takes, you can find my other articles here.
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