FRISCO — Dallas Cowboys fans have begged and pleaded in recent years for their team to make the gamble and go after a big name by trade or through free agency. A year ago, they infamously allowed Derrick Henry to sign with the Baltimore Ravens despite a perfectly clear avenue to pursue him.
This offseason, they made the necessary moves through free agency and the draft. However, they had not pursued any needle-moving players through those major acquisition periods.
That all changed in May when the Cowboys traded for George Pickens, providing a major upgrade at the wide receiver position. This gives Dallas one of the most formidable duos on paper heading into next season.
But the Cowboys are not the only ones aware of the enormity of this deal. Their aggressive maneuvering has their most staunch adversaries on notice.
“The spotlight is on him because I’ve talked with a lot of people around the league, including the NFC East. That Pickens trade has their full attention,” ESPN's Fowler said Saturday.
“They believe that really does add a new dimension because he’s one of the best contested ball-catchers in the entire league. If he can stay on the upright, keep that maturity sort of in check in a contract year, he’ll do big things with CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.”
The duality of Pickens' and Lamb's talents should blend together with brilliance. Lamb's precision as a route runner out of the slot combining with Pickens' downfield presence makes for a tantalizing air-raid punch.
But if foes around the NFC East are taking notice, it's because they have done the same things to establish themselves as contenders. The Washington Commanders made trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel at the star of the offseason while the Philadelphia Eagles have stretched their big moves over the last several years.
A trade for A.J. Brown a few years back and the signing of Saquon Barkley a year ago made them undeniable in their quest for a title.
Time will tell if a similar fate awaits the Cowboys. Regardless, the trade for Pickens is reflective of that contending mindset and one that could pay off in a major way.