GeorgePickens

News: 2 days agoPickens secured nine of 13 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys' 24-16 loss to the Buccaneers on Thursday night.

Spin: Pickens was a bit player in the air attack during a Week 4 comeback win against the Texans in which CeeDee Lamb (quadriceps) recorded a massive 17-189-1 line on 21 targets, but it was the former's turn to shine Thursday. The fact Lamb was in and out of the game during the latter stages of the fourth quarter did have some impact on Pickens' involvement, but the latter was already having a big night that included his first receiving touchdown of the season on an 18-yard grab in the fourth quarter. Pickens ultimately finished with new season-high figures across his receiving line, and he'll be in line for a similarly busy night in a Week 6 road matchup against the Packers on Sunday night, Oct. 18 if Lamb is limited or misses that contest altogether.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Pickens drew the franchise tag from Dallas after a career year in which he ranked near the top of the wide receiver position in most categories, including catches, yards, TDs, end zone targets (second with 18) and air yards (fourth with 1,576). Fantasy's No. 5-scoring receiver in 2025 certainly benefited from CeeDee Lamb missing time (24% target share, or 8.8 per game, and 24.2 fantasy PPG in four games Lamb was injured), but his "with Lamb" splits were also strong. Consider: In 12 full games with Lamb, Pickens handled a 23% target share (8.3 per game) and averaged 16.1 fantasy PPG, which would've ranked eighth at the position over the full season. The 25-year-old will play the same role in Dallas' high-scoring offense in 2026 and has the look of a strong fantasy WR2.