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Marcus Spears: George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb Will Be a ‘Nightmare’ for Defenses
The Dallas Cowboys made a bold move this offseason, pulling off a trade to bring in wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. With CeeDee Lamb already cemented as one of the league’s top playmakers, adding Pickens could be the missing piece to elevate the Cowboys’ offense to new heights. ESPN’s Marcus Spears is all in on the potential of this dynamic duo, calling them a “nightmare” for opposing defenses.
A Bold Move for the Cowboys
The Cowboys entered the offseason with one clear goal in mind—finding a reliable WR2 to pair alongside Lamb. They didn’t make a splash in free agency or the NFL draft, but the big trade for Pickens could be exactly what they need. While Pickens has faced some scrutiny for his maturity off the field, there’s no questioning his on-field talent. As Spears points out, if he can stay focused and avoid distractions, the Cowboys’ offense could be in for a major boost.
“Everything revolving around this George Pickens trade is about his availability and is he going to bring a maturity that’s needed in order to stay on the field and be available for games,” Spears said. “If he does that, this offense is going to be a problem with those two guys on the outside.”
Can Pickens Unlock Lamb?
For years, the Cowboys have been searching for that second playmaker to take the pressure off Lamb. With defenses often doubling Lamb, having another legitimate threat in Pickens could completely change the dynamic of the offense. As Spears mentions, the excitement around this duo is rooted in the “matchup problems” they present. With two legitimate threats on the field, defenses will be forced to make tough decisions. Who do they leave one-on-one? Who gets the double coverage?
“When you have two real threats that are on the field it makes defenses play you differently and you win before the actual snap,” Spears explained.
It’s a matchup nightmare for defenses trying to figure out how to deal with both Lamb and Pickens.
A Prove-It Year for Pickens
Although the Cowboys are clearly excited about what Pickens can bring to the table, there’s still a lot to prove. Pickens is entering the final year of his rookie contract and, according to sources, Dallas doesn’t plan to offer him an extension just yet. While the Cowboys gave up a third-round draft pick to acquire him, they likely see this as a “prove-it” season for the young wideout.
That said, Pickens has been productive in his first three NFL seasons. He led the Steelers in receiving yards the last two years, including a career-best 2023, where he caught 63 passes for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. If he can replicate that production in Dallas, the trade could be an absolute steal for the Cowboys.
The Steelers’ Gamble
As for the Steelers, some argue they might be better off moving on from Pickens. After acquiring DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, the Steelers now have their clear WR1. Metcalf was immediately signed to a five-year extension, signaling Pittsburgh’s confidence in their new star wide receiver. Perhaps the trade works out well for both sides—Pickens gets a fresh start in Dallas, and the Steelers have the opportunity to move forward with a new playmaker in Metcalf.
The Final Verdict
For the Cowboys, the addition of Pickens could be a game-changer. With Dak Prescott already locked in as their quarterback and Lamb ready to take over the role of the go-to receiver, the only thing standing in the way of a dominant offense is whether Pickens can live up to his potential. If he can, the Cowboys could be looking at one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFL, and Spears may very well be right—this could be a “nightmare” for opposing defenses.
As always, time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the Cowboys’ offense just became a lot more interesting.