There's no question the Dallas Cowboys won their trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver George Pickens. Although Pittsburgh still can make good with the two future NFL draft picks acquired in the deal (third-rounder in 2026, fifth-rounder in 2027), Dallas has a big edge in the short-term.
Pickens has given the Cowboys their ideal outside big-play threat No. 2 to No. 1 CeeDee Lamb, who often dominates with route-running in the slot. Meanwhile, the Steelers are struggling to find any good wideout production in 2025, even with Pickens' replacement, former Seahawks two-time Pro Bowler DK Metcalf — who cost them a second-round pick.
Pickens has put up All-Pro caliber stats going into Week 14. They look even better when comparing them to the void he left in Pittsburgh for Aaron Rodgers.
IYER: Updated NFC and AFC playoff pictures
George Pickens receiving stats for Cowboys in 2025
- Targets: 105
- Receptions: 73
- Receiving yards: 1,142
- Receiving yards per catch: 15.8
- Receiving TDs: 8
George Pickens is second in the NFL in receiving yards, behind only the Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1,336). He's tied for 7th in receptions. He ranks No. 6 in yards per reception. He's also tied for No. 3 in receiving TDs.
The most impressive stat? Pickens has had 60 of his 73 receptions convert a first down. That puts him on top over the entire league. He's proven to be a lot more than a big-play threat, developing into a complete receiver with great speed at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.
Pickens also has developed a quick Lamb-like chemistry with Dak Prescott, shining even more when Lamb has missed time. Furthermore, Pickens has a great relationship with Lamb to the point both consider themselves co-No. 1s.
IYER: NFL picks against the spread for Week 14
Steelers wide receiver stats in 2025
Here's the total five-player production of Pittsburgh's wideout corps (Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller) going into Week 14:
- Targets: 147
- Receptions: 87
- Receiving yards: 1,114
- Receiving yards per catch: 12.8
- Receiving TDs: 12
How desperate are the Steelers? With this mess, including Metcalf, they added free agent Adam Thielen, who already has played for the Panthers and Vikings this season. He was released a second time to try to help a contending team.
Metcalf has been a relative big bust in relation to Pickens with only 45 catches for 605 yards and 5 TDs. The team doesn't have an reliable outside No. 2 or slot, either. The Steelers are hoping for a little spark from Thielen, but he's a 35-year-old catching passes from 42-year-old Rodgers. No wonder the Steelers are so dependent on tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington in Arthur Smith's offense.
However you look at it, trading Pickens was a bad move for the Steelers and a home run for the Cowboys, especially with Metcalf causing a downgrade and not being close to an adequate replacement.
IYER: Who sits atop the NFL Power Rankings heading into Week 14?