With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, George Pickens has an opening to prove he can lead Dallas’ passing game and earn a top-tier deal
DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys’ passing game is about to be tested — not in play design, but in how one player handles a wide-open chance. With CeeDee Lamb sidelined by a high-ankle sprain, wide receiver George Pickens now has the opportunity to prove he can be a true WR1 and earn WR1 money in a contract year.
It’s the kind of opening receivers dream about — the No. 1 role in a premier offense, volume targets and spotlight attention. But opportunity alone doesn’t guarantee stardom. Pickens must deliver with consistency and production if he wants to secure his future as one of the league’s top-paid wideouts.
Contract year raises stakes
Pickens enters the 2025 season in the final year of his rookie deal. Unless the Cowboys extend him or apply the franchise tag, he will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. That reality frames every snap he takes this fall.
Every catch, conversion and touchdown will matter for both the Cowboys’ playoff hopes and Pickens’ negotiating position. Teams don’t just look at stat sheets — they study tape. They evaluate whether a player can be the focal point of an offense or simply a complementary piece. For Pickens, this year is an extended audition for the role of centerpiece.
Lamb’s absence shifts spotlight
The Cowboys lost their top receiving option when Lamb went down with a high ankle sprain against the Chicago Bears. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Lamb will “miss some time.” That immediately changes the structure of Dallas’ offense.
With Lamb sidelined, Pickens becomes the clear lead target. Quarterback Dak Prescott will look his way more often. Defenses will adjust accordingly, putting their best corners on him, rolling safety help over the top and challenging him to beat double coverage.
This is where reputations are made. If Pickens can command top attention and still deliver — stringing together steady numbers week after week — he’ll not only keep Dallas’ offense afloat but also solidify himself as a true No. 1 receiver in the league.
More than flashes
Pickens has already shown flashes of brilliance. His size, athleticism and contested-catch ability are undeniable. He can turn 50-50 balls into highlight plays and stretch the field with big gains.
But WR1s aren’t judged on flashes. They’re judged on reliability. That means creating separation on tough routes, moving the chains on third down, producing in the red zone and staying consistent over a 17-game season.
The absence of Lamb forces Pickens into those situations. He won’t just be asked to make splash plays; he’ll be asked to be the dependable target Prescott can trust in every critical moment.
Mistakes that might have gone unnoticed before will stand out now. Drops, miscommunications or lapses in effort will carry more weight. In a contract year, they’ll be magnified.
What the Cowboys will be watching
Dallas doesn’t just need temporary production from Pickens while Lamb recovers. The front office wants to see whether he can be the long-term solution at the top of the depth chart.
That means answering key questions:
- Can Pickens handle the pressure of being the first read on most plays?
- Does he make players around him better by drawing coverage and creating space?
- Will he deliver in clutch situations — third downs, two-minute drives and red-zone possessions?
- Can he carry himself as a leader, on and off the field?
The Cowboys have invested heavily in their offense, and they need stability at wide receiver. Pickens has the chance to prove he can be that stabilizing force.
A defining stretch
The next several games could define not just Dallas’ season but Pickens’ career trajectory. Every target is a chance to show he belongs in the top tier of NFL receivers. Every defensive adjustment he overcomes builds the case that he can carry an offense.
For Pickens, the timing couldn’t be more critical. He’s in a contract year, playing for both his next deal and his reputation around the league. He has the stage, the quarterback and the scheme. All he needs now is to deliver.
Bottom line: Pickens has been handed the opportunity receivers want most. With Lamb out, he steps into the WR1 role in Dallas. If he proves he can thrive as the focal point, he positions himself for a major payday and a lasting role as the cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offense. If he falters, the Cowboys and the rest of the NFL will view him differently — as a talented playmaker, but not the foundation.
The next few weeks will tell the story.
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