NFL Insider Says Cowboys' George Pickens is WR1 Over CeeDee Lamb on Opposing Game Plans

Even though CeeDee Lamb is the highest-paid wide receiver on the Dallas Cowboys, at least one coordinator in the NFL believes George Pickens is the true No. 1 receiver for that offense.

The coordinator told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Pickens "emerged" as the primary target in Dallas' offense during his first season with the club.

"It's Pickens," the coordinator said. "He has emerged."

Lamb did miss three games due to injuries in 2025 that impacted his numbers and performance, but Pickens was superior to him even on a per-game basis.

Pickens led the Cowboys with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns. His 15.4 yards per reception was the best on the team among all players with more than five targets.

The per-game stats for Pickens were 5.5 catches and 84.1 yards. Lamb, by comparison, averaged 5.4 receptions and 76.9 yards per game.

Pickens' success rate was 65.0 percent, compared to 51.3 percent for Lamb.

The Cowboys acquired Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason in a deal that only cost them a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round pick in 2027.

It turned out to be a shrewd move by Jerry Jones with Pickens elevating an already-strong offense to another level. His future in Dallas is a storyline that is still being monitored.

Pickens took some drama out of the equation by signing the one-year franchise tender for a guaranteed $27.3 million in 2026. There is no expectation a long-term deal will be worked out, nor is he likely to be traded.

If Pickens has another strong season in Dallas, it will significantly increase his value as he looks to secure a long-term deal next offseason.