Explosive No. 2 option. Complement. Running-mate. Whatever you wanted to call the Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver target to pair with CeeDee Lamb this offseason, they found it … and then some.
Pickens has all the makings of a star. At just 24 years old, he gets a fresh start with the best quarterback he’s ever had and already a proven track record as one of the NFL’s best deep threats. He’ll also join Lamb who has a bucket full of Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors to prove that he too has made a name for himself.
The duo could quickly become one of the best in the league, but early discussions since the trade have focused on which receiver will overtake the other as the clear “number one option” for QB Dak Prescott.
If you ask CeeDee, he believes there is no such thing as just one top target.
At Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s inaugural celebrity softball game, Lamb made his first public statements about his new teammate Pickens.
Lamb was asked about how the two will fit together within the offense – as in who might be classified as the “number one and two” receivers. But in leadership fashion, CeeDee took the high road.
“Oh, no, we’re both ones,” Lamb said frankly. Pickens chirped a quick “yeah” in approval.
CeeDee continued: “It ain’t no A, B, none of that. It’s one. You look over there, you see one. You look over here, you see another one. So do what you gotta do with that.”
For a Cowboys fan base that has suffered years of Lamb being the clear-cut “one” and no other receivers coming close to solidifying a “two” title, this is music to their ears.
Cowboys players are happy to see this duo, too. Here is what star edge rusher Micah Parsons had to say:
“Ceedee done found a new best friend 🤣🤣🤣”
For fantasy football owners, don’t be surprised if Lamb sees a dip in targets on this new-look Cowboys offense. He may still lead the team, but Pickens is here to rescue Lamb from leading all other teammates by large receiving margins like in years past.
The Cowboys will also have a revitalized run-game under head coach Brian Schottenheimer that hopes to alleviate pressure off of the recovering Prescott.
Lamb has been Dallas’ top receiver since entering the league in 2020 out of Oklahoma. He is on a streak of four consecutive 1,000+ seasons and has brought in 38 touchdowns in his Cowboys career.
Pickens also has plenty of experience as a “one”. In Pittsburgh for his first three seasons in the league, Pickens’ was the Steelers’ obvious No. 1 option for the last two. His best season came in 2023 when he totaled 1,140 yards and five touchdowns on a league-leading 18.1 yards per reception.
Cowboys fans got what they wished for in another starting-caliber receiver.
But they’ll be ecstatic if both Lamb and Pickens can turn into “one”-caliber receivers in 2025.
