{"id":56561,"date":"2025-06-17T03:36:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T03:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=56561"},"modified":"2025-06-17T03:36:50","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T03:36:50","slug":"breaking-george-pickens-could-be-cowboys-new-bob-hayes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=56561","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: George Pickens Could Be Cowboys’ New Bob Hayes.."},"content":{"rendered":"
According to Pro Football Focus, new Dallas Cowboys’ receiver George Pickens is the NFL’s most best at catching passes on go-routes.<\/div>\n
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When in doubt in the 1960-70s, the\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0told Bob Hayes simply to “go long.” They have a similar weapon in 2025 with newly acquired George Pickens.<\/p>\n

Hayes obviously benefitted with world-class speed that won him a gold medal in the 100-meter dash at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and allowed him to lead the\u00a0NFL\u00a0twice in touchdowns and twice in yards per catch including a staggering 26.1 in 1970.<\/p>\n

Pickens, acquired in a trade last month, doesn’t possess Hayes’ blinding speed. But he has proven to be one of the league’s best deep threats.<\/p>\n

According to Pro Football Focus, Pickens was\u00a0the highest-graded receiver on go routes\u00a0last season with a 95.6 mark, just edging out the\u00a0Washington Commanders’ Terry McLaurin and the\u00a0Cowboys’\u00a0CeeDee Lamb.<\/p>\n

Not only did Pickens lead the league with 19 deep routes, but his 26% target clip was the highest on his route tree.<\/p>\n

“He was the only receiver to record double-digit catches from go routes, securing 10 passes for 352 yards and a touchdown,” PFF writes. “Pickens logged 36% of his receiving yardage (987 yards) on go routes last season, with each catch gaining 20-plus yards.”<\/p>\n

Over the last three seasons, Pickens leads the NFL with 48 go-route targets and 23 catches for 822 yards and three touchdowns.<\/p>\n

While Hayes used his raw speed, Pickens’ makes downfield catches using his size, athleticism, body control and elite hand-eye coordination.<\/p>\n

The deep ball from Dak Prescott should be back in the playbook for the Cowboys this season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

According to Pro Football Focus, new Dallas Cowboys’ receiver George Pickens is the NFL’s most best at catching passes on go-routes. 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