George Pickens trade: Dak Prescott opens up on new Dallas Cowboys wide receiver

Dak Prescott will have a new wide receiver to work with next season. George Pickens is now a member of the Dallas Cowboys, coming over via trade. Finding a second option to CeeDee Lamb was an offseason priority for the Cowboys and they feel as if mission accomplished with Pickens.

We got to hear Prescott’s thoughts on Pickens for the first time on Wednesday. He provided a nice breakdown of the skillset coming to Dallas after doing some personal tape study. Overall, you can tell Prescott is happy with the move.

“We’ve connected,” Prescott said. “I’m excited. You turn on the tape, you see a guy that can catch the football. You put the football anywhere in his vicinity, very strong hands. More than a 50/50 catcher. He thinks it’s his ball when it’s in the air. I’m excited for him. I know we needed some help at that position. … It’s hard to double team two guys. … I think we’re putting together a nice group of weapons.”

When Prescott was healthy last year, the wide receiver position fell short at times. Lamb is the exception, turning into one of the NFL’s top players. Both of those guys just received massive contract extensions from the Cowboys ahead of the 2024 season.

Pickens is expected to completely change the dynamic. He instantly shifts into the WR2 role and, based on the description from Prescott, brings something different than Lamb. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer will be able to open up the playbook a little bit, letting Prescott throw a few more passes downfield.

Last season with the Steelers, Pickens had 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns. Those are numbers you have to imagine the Cowboys would take right now after the trade, considering production from the wide receiver group in 2024. If anything, Prescott might be hoping for a couple more scores on the stat sheet.

Cowboy fans will not have to wait too long to see Prescott and Pickens in action together. Dallas is set to play in the first game of the NFL season in Philadelphia. There might be some extra motivation there as their bitter NFC East rivals will be unveiling a Super Bowl banner.

The partnership will last for an entire 17-game calendar, though. Maybe even into the playoffs if the Cowboys can get back there after missing out in the final year of Mike McCarthy.