In a blockbuster post-draft move, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the Dallas Cowboys are acquiring former Georgia wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the former Georgia Bulldog star a new opportunity. The Cowboys reportedly received Pickens and a 2026 sixth-round pick, while the Steelers gained a 2026 third-round and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
If and when Pickens arrives in Dallas, he’ll do so with a reputation that is as complex as it is exciting. At Georgia, he burst onto the scene in 2019 as a freshman, leading the team with 49 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite a pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he still managed 513 yards and six scores. An ACL tear in 2021 limited his appearances, but he returned late in the year and played a key role in Georgia’s national title run, including a tremendous diving catch early in the national championship game.
That blend of raw skill and big-play ability continued into his time in Pittsburgh. Drafted in the second round in 2022, Pickens made an immediate impact with the Steelers. In three seasons, he totaled 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a breakout 2023 campaign where he surpassed the 1,100-yard mark. His 16.3 yards per catch highlight just how dangerous he is down the field.
However, just as in Athens, questions about maturity followed Pickens in the NFL. From sideline outbursts to cryptic social media behavior, he’s occasionally found himself in the spotlight for reasons other than his play. Those issues may have contributed to Pittsburgh’s willingness to move on despite his immense upside.
Dallas now offers him a chance to reset. New Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who served as Georgia’s offensive coordinator under Mark Richt and before Pickens’ college career began, will look to channel the wideout’s talent in a more structured setting. Lining up alongside All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb, Pickens has the chance to be a part of a dynamic duo.
If Pickens can channel his focus and maturity, his move to Dallas could prove to be the perfect environment for him to finally reach his star potential.