There’s never a dull moment in fantasy football. What was supposed to be a slow early May morning was quickly turned upside down by a trade with massive fantasy football ramifications: George Pickens is now a Dallas Cowboy. The Pittsburgh Steelers sent the 24-year-old to Dallas along with a 2026 sixth-round pick, and in return, they received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Pickens is the latest in a long line of wide receivers — often with fiery personalities and at times divisive locker room presences — that Mike Tomlin has sent packing.
Tomlin has a high batting average when it comes to moving on from these players. Emmanuel Sanders’ Denver run was the lone standout in a long line of declining fantasy assets dealt away by Pittsburgh, including Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Chase Claypool, and most recently, Diontae Johnson. But with Pickens, it feels different.
Pickens is a very talented player. He was a second-round draft pick and has flashed immense talent as a pro, but he's lacked consistent on-field production. Dallas presents the perfect opportunity for him to change the trajectory of his career, both in the short term for redraft purposes and long term in dynasty. The timing couldn’t be better. He’s in a contract year, and a big season in Dallas — both in terms of production and staying quiet off the field — could lead to a major payday, whether with the Cowboys or another franchise.
A move of this magnitude alters the outlook for multiple players. This looks like a rare fantasy football trade with multiple winners.
George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys
It’s hard not to get excited about George Pickens in his new role with the Dallas Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb has dominated usage in Dallas and should continue to do so, but Pickens is in a great position to thrive as the team’s No. 2 option. Stylistically, Lamb will remain in his slot-heavy role, while Pickens operates primarily on the outside. Even with Lamb commanding his usual 150 targets, there’s still plenty of opportunity for Pickens to have his best season as a pro. Jalen Tolbert and Brandin Cooks combined for 132 targets in 2024, and a significant portion of those should head Pickens' way.
Pickens also escapes the purgatory of being a No. 2 receiver in an Arthur Smith offense — a virtual death sentence for fantasy production. It’s not overly optimistic to think Pickens could set career highs in targets (current high: 106), touchdown receptions (five), and catches (63), while potentially challenging his 1,140-yard mark from 2023.
At quarterback, Pickens also receives a significant upgrade in Dak Prescott.
This is a win for Pickens in all formats. Expect his current Underdog ADP of WR39 and FFPC ADP of WR42 to both rise this month as drafters adjust to his improved outlook. Dynasty-wise, although Dallas is not guaranteed to re-sign him, this landing spot is certainly a win. It allows Pickens not only to put up strong numbers on the field, but clean up his image and reputation off of it.
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is coming off an injury-plagued 2024 season in which he played only eight games. But he is also only one season removed from a QB4 PPG finish in 2023. The Pickens acquisition changes the narrative for this offense. Prescott has his best WR duo to work with since Amari Cooper teamed up with Lamb. The lack of quality at running back could make Dallas even more pass-happy under new offensive coordinator Klayton Adams. During his strong 2023 season, Prescott was fourth in the NFL with 590 pass attempts — a number that fantasy managers should be rooting for.
Fears will linger with drafters about a recurrence of Prescott’s hamstring injury from last season, but right now he looks like one of the best ADP values at the quarterback position — he’s QB19 on Underdog, which is insane.
DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pickens wasn’t the biggest winner from this week’s trade. The biggest winner was the wide receiver remaining in Pittsburgh: DK Metcalf.
It’s been nothing but wins this offseason for Metcalf. He escaped Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Seattle, separating himself from a third-year wide receiver coming off a franchise record–tying 100-catch season. Then the NFL told us exactly how the market values Metcalf — Pittsburgh sent a second-round pick for the right to not only acquire him, but to pay him a massive contract extension.
Metcalf’s four-year, $132 million contract provides insulation and clarity about where the 27-year-old will play well into his 30s. Pittsburgh clearly values him, and his ability to thrive off play action in what should be a run-heavy offense will be vital to the team’s success — regardless of who starts at quarterback.
Last season, the Steelers ranked 10th in play-action pass rate and 7th in deep ball pass percentage — two metrics that bode well for Metcalf. He should deliver strong WR2 production this season, but don’t rule out a WR1 finish. He’s the focal point of the offense, and Pittsburgh will want a return on its investment.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Freiermuth could be a low-key winner from the Pickens trade fallout. On paper, he looks like the number two target in Pittsburgh. “Wait, Theo, I thought that was a fantasy football death sentence!”
For a wide receiver, yes. But for a tight end? Come on down.
Freiermuth quietly set a career high with 65 receptions last season and led Pittsburgh with seven touchdown catches. His production was boosted by a strong finish over the back half of the season. From week 10 on, Freiermuth had five top-8 weekly TE finishes. Besides Metcalf and a 33-year-old Robert Woods, Freiermuth is the most accomplished receiver on Pittsburgh’s roster. He has a great chance to finish as a top-10 scorer at the tight end position this season.
