There is no question that George Pickens is one of the league’s most talented wide receivers. During his second season in the NFL, Pickens led the league in yards per reception at 18.1 and finished the season with 1,158 yards from scrimmage. His numbers dropped some in 2024, but that was due to a hamstring injury that cost him three games.
Since the start of the 2023 season, Pickens has averaged 65.8 yards per game, which is quite impressive considering the lack of consistent targets and the poor quarterback play. Over that two-year stretch, he's played games with the following starting quarterbacks: Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. Going into the 2025 season, you can make a strong case that none of those quarterbacks are inside the top-25 passers in the league.
But the good news for Pickens is that he is now in a much better football situation. He’s joined the Dallas Cowboys and will be the No. 2 receiver next to CeeDee Lamb with Dak Prescott throwing him the ball. But where does Pickens rank among his peers? Because when he is on the field and playing, there aren’t very many receivers you would take over him.
At least, that’s what most think.
Cowboys' George Pickens laughably disrespected in PFF's 2025 WR rankings
In a recent article by Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, he ranked the top 32 receivers heading into the 2025 season. CeeDee Lamb finished as the No. 6 receiver, behind players like A.J. Brown, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and, of course, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
But the most fascinating ranking was a player who wasn’t even mentioned, George Pickens. Pickens did not make the top 32 receivers in Sikkema’s rankings, and names like Josh Downs, Jameson Williams, and Deebo Samuel all were ranked ahead of Pickens.
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Again, that is quite surprising considering that Pickens is 21st in the NFL in receiving yards per game (65.8) over the last two seasons despite awful quarterback play. Pickens isn’t the most refined receiver and the play-to-play consistency isn’t there yet, but he’s been a very efficient receiver for his career (9.7 yards per target) and he’s one of the league’s best deep threats.
There is a lot of non-football stuff that is likely causing Pickens to fall off PFF's list, but in terms of pure talent, there is no doubt that he is one of the top 32 receivers in the league. Pickens is hoping to prove that during the 2025 season and cash in during his contract year.
If he can stay out of trouble and on the field, don’t be surprised if Pickens is easily inside the top 20 of this list at this time next year. In fact, you can make a case right now that he should already be there.