NFL
George Pickens Trade Fantasy Impact: Is Roman Wilson the Biggest Beneficiary?
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Get to know David Evans betterPublished07 May 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have made a big move by trading for George Pickens, shaking up the fantasy football landscape. Let’s look at how this impacts the fantasy outlook for key players on both the Cowboys and Steelers.
Fantasy Impact of Pickens Trade
ESPN sources: Dallas and Pittsburgh are working to finalize a trade that will send wide receiver George Pickens to the Cowboys in exchange for draft pick compensation. The trade is expected to be finalized today. pic.twitter.com/EJvTb9KHG4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2025
Dallas Cowboys
- Role and Fit: Pickens is expected to take over as the WR2 alongside CeeDee Lamb. With Dak Prescott throwing him the ball, Pickens has a good chance to increase his fantasy output compared to his time with the Steelers.
- Fantasy Outlook: Pickens projects as a WR3 with WR2 upside in the Cowboys’ -heavy offense. He’ll be a deep threat with big-play potential, making him especially valuable in best-ball formats.
- Target Competition: CeeDee Lamb remains the alpha, but Pickens’ presence should ease some defensive pressure on Lamb. Jake Ferguson’s role may diminish slightly with more ing routes going to the wideouts.
CeeDee Lamb
- Maintained Value: Lamb’s status as the WR1 in Dallas remains unchanged. Pickens’ presence could actually help Lamb by attracting some defensive attention away from him.
- Fantasy Outlook: Lamb is still a top-3 fantasy WR. Draft with confidence as a WR1.
Jake Ferguson
- Impact of Pickens: With Pickens taking on more targets, Ferguson’s role as a reliable check-down option might decrease. Still, he retains low-end TE1 appeal.
- Fantasy Outlook: His fantasy value drops slightly, but he remains a viable option in deeper leagues.
Which Steelers Benefit From Pickens Trade?
DK Metcalf
- New WR1 Role: As the clear top target, Metcalf will see a substantial increase in targets, especially on deep routes. This move solidifies him as the primary downfield threat.
- Fantasy Outlook: Metcalf now becomes a strong WR2 with upside, especially in standard and half-PPR formats.
Calvin Austin III
- Stepping Up: The speedy receiver could see more playing time, especially in the slot. His yards-after-catch ability makes him intriguing as a late-round flyer.
- Fantasy Outlook: Sleeper appeal in PPR leagues due to his quickness and potential increased volume.
Roman Wilson
- Breakout Potential: As a second-year player, Wilson could see a huge boost in snaps. His combination of speed and size makes him a potential breakout candidate if he can stay healthy.
- Fantasy Outlook: Worth drafting as a late-round stash in deeper leagues, particularly dynasty formats.
Final Fantasy Thoughts
- Cowboys Offense: Expect Pickens to add vertical threat capabilities, while Lamb maintains his top role. Ferguson’s target share may drop slightly.
- Steelers Offense: Metcalf becomes the primary weapon, with Austin and Wilson competing for secondary roles.
- Draft Strategy: Pickens sees a slight rise in value, while Metcalf moves into a more consistent fantasy tier. Keep an eye on Roman Wilson’s development during training camp.
