When the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens in the spring, he and CeeDee Lamb glowed over sporting two WR1s. Pickens may have swiped the go-to mantel from Lamb through 11 weeks.
In Sunday's massive come-from-behind victory, it was Pickens making all the big plays, catching nine passes on nine targets for 146 yards and a touchdown.
Through 11 games, Pickens sits No. 2 in receiving yards in the NFL, with 1,054 on 67 catches with eight touchdowns. His 15.7 yards per catch average is No. 5 overall, and No. 2 to Jaxon Smith-Njigba (16.4) among receivers with at least 35 catches.
"It's hard for me to say he exceeds my expectations," Dak Prescott said of Pickens, via the team's official website. "My expectations are limitless with that guy, and he'll tell you, he's not from here…He's not from here. He's not from this planet.
"I'm not gonna put limitations on him. … The guy loves the game, stays focused, and the communication, I know I've mentioned before, but [he talks] to other guys in the huddle about staying focused and to just keep doing what they're doing."
Pickens has become the sure-handed playmaker for Prescott. When a big play needs to be made, it's the former Steeler regularly on the other end. In contrast, Lamb caught four of 11 targets Sunday for 75 yards, including a drop in the end zone.
With Pickens in tow, the Cowboys aren't living and dying by Lamb's ebbs and flows.
"We lucked up getting a guy like that, and we've got to make sure we can keep him here. He's a hell of a player and he's turning into a leader, and he's special." Prescott said of Pickens.
With Pickens headed toward free agency, the talk continues to grow about how the Cowboys will hang onto the wideout after he's played himself into a big contract extension. At the very least, Dallas can use the franchise tag to at least keep him around for 2026, projected to be a shade over $28 million.
Owner Jerry Jones said he wants Pickens back next season.
"Of course, of course," Jones said. "We are proud to have him, and I don't even want to play games with it. We'd love to have him on the team. By the way, I'd love to have [CeeDee Lamb] on the team. And I know what we're asking around here, but we sure like the way the combination is really letting us execute on offense."
Sunday's epic comeback kept the postseason alive for Dallas. With an offense that can gobble up points and an improved defense, there is a chance that Jones' club can sneak into the playoffs. From there, it's anyone's game.
