Lamb & Pickens vs. Brown & Smith: Who's the NFL's Best Receiver Duo in 2025?

[Bamx]

The NFL has no shortage of elite wide receiver pairings, but two duos stand out in 2025: the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Let’s compare them across production, skill sets, efficiency, and impact.

Career Production Comparison (Through 2024)​

Player	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Rec	Games Played
CeeDee Lamb	520	6,655	39	12.8	81
George Pickens	184	2,978	13	16.2	48
A.J. Brown	487	7,624	54	15.7	90
DeVonta Smith	351	4,606	27	13.1	63

Key Takeaways:​

• Brown + Smith have the edge in combined production and playoff success.
• Pickens has the highest yards per catch, showing explosive potential.
• Lamb is the most productive volume receiver overall

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Lamb & Pickens, Brown & Smith’s Skill Sets​

• CeeDee Lamb is an elite yards-after-catch (YAC) receiver, especially effective on short and intermediate routes. Lamb had a 5.6 YAC compared to an expected YAC of 3.4.
• George Pickens thrives on vertical routes, averaging 13.5 total air yards and contested catches at 57.3%.

https://insidethestar.com/lamb-pickens-vs-brown-smith-whos-the-nfls-best-receiver-duo-in-2025

 

[StarOfGlory]

Both duos are excellent. I still am amazed that DeVonta Smith, the NFL’s version of a toothpick, can take the hits and keep going.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I mean I’d rather have Pickens and Lamb but I mean you can’t go wrong either way. Devonta hasn’t had the chance to show what he can do with number 1 reps but he also benefits from playing with AJ. But if I ranked all the guys….

1. Lamb
2. Brown
3. Pickens
4. Smith

 

[thunderpimp91]

Good question and I'd have no issue taking either duo.

I think Lamb/Pickens has the higher ceiling as Pickens is a legit WR1 talent.

This wont be a very popular comment here, but I think AJ Brown is the best WR of the four listed. He has a real argument that hes the top WR in the league right now. For that and the risk Pickens brings I'd go with Philly's due, but its not a huge gap between these duos.

 

[jazzcat22]

Much also has to do with offensive schemes, play calling. OL to protect the QB to have time to pass.
Still the WR needs to get open and get separation.

I give the edge to Lamb / Pickens. I am sure come game 1 opening night, this will be discussed.

 

[MarcusRock]

Brown + Smith have the edge in combined production and playoff success.

Oh, is that all? Lol.

 

[MarcusRock]

Good question and I'd have no issue taking either duo.

I think Lamb/Pickens has the higher ceiling as Pickens is a legit WR1 talent.

This wont be a very popular comment here, but I think AJ Brown is the best WR of the four listed. He has a real argument that hes the top WR in the league right now. For that and the risk Pickens brings I'd go with Philly's due, but its not a huge gap between these duos.

Yep, said it when there was a thread on who's the best WR in the division that AJ at his best is better than all there and maybe the conference.

 

[Bamx]

Much also has to do with offensive schemes, play calling. OL to protect the QB to have time to pass.
Still the WR needs to get open and get separation.

I give the edge to Lamb / Pickens. I am sure come game 1 opening night, this will be discussed.

Having Barkley behind that O-Line doesn't hurt either.

 

[jazzcat22]

Having Barkley behind that O-Line doesn't hurt either.

Yeah, but now we have Blue. So it equals out.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yep, said it when there was a thread on who's the best WR in the division that AJ at his best is better than all there and maybe the conference.

Agree completely. I think Brown, Jefferson, and Chase are your legitimate tier 1 guys. I have zero issue with Lamb being the #1 guy starting that next tier, but Brown just does so much with minimal opportunities being in run 1st offenses his entire career so far.

 

[Proof]

Yep, said it when there was a thread on who's the best WR in the division that AJ at his best is better than all there and maybe the conference.

oh whoa, you said it before? lol. the literal same could be said about ceedee.

 

[Proof]

Agree completely. I think Brown, Jefferson, and Chase are your legitimate tier 1 guys. I have zero issue with Lamb being the #1 guy starting that next tier, but Brown just does so much with minimal opportunities being in run 1st offenses his entire career so far.

ehh.... not in tennesee he didn't. philly sure, but even then his opportunities weren't all that limited. not nearly the volume as ceedee obviously.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

I chose the two that have played and produced together and won a Super Bowl over the ones that have done nothing.

 

[Bamx]

I chose the two that have played and produced together and won a Super Bowl over the ones that have done nothing.

Would you still look at it that way If the roles were reversed with Pickens/CeeDee playing for the Eagles and Brown/Smith playing for the Cowboys.

 

[jazzcat22]

I chose the two that have played and produced together and won a Super Bowl over the ones that have done nothing.

Would you still look at it that way If the roles were reversed with Pickens/CeeDee playing for the Eagles and Brown/Smith playing for the Cowboys.

He is against anything pro Dallas.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

Would you still look at it that way If the roles were reversed with Pickens/CeeDee playing for the Eagles and Brown/Smith playing for the Cowboys.

Of course.

Proven production/winning together over zero experience being on a field together any day.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

He is against anything pro Dallas.

You’re going to get embarrassed this season.

I’ve been saving receipts.

 

[OmerV]

The NFL has no shortage of elite wide receiver pairings, but two duos stand out in 2025: the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Let’s compare them across production, skill sets, efficiency, and impact.

Career Production Comparison (Through 2024)​

Player	Receptions	Yards	Touchdowns	Yards/Rec	Games Played
CeeDee Lamb	520	6,655	39	12.8	81
George Pickens	184	2,978	13	16.2	48
A.J. Brown	487	7,624	54	15.7	90
DeVonta Smith	351	4,606	27	13.1	63

Key Takeaways:​

• Brown + Smith have the edge in combined production and playoff success.
• Pickens has the highest yards per catch, showing explosive potential.
• Lamb is the most productive volume receiver overall

​

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​

Lamb & Pickens, Brown & Smith’s Skill Sets​

• CeeDee Lamb is an elite yards-after-catch (YAC) receiver, especially effective on short and intermediate routes. Lamb had a 5.6 YAC compared to an expected YAC of 3.4.
• George Pickens thrives on vertical routes, averaging 13.5 total air yards and contested catches at 57.3%.

https://insidethestar.com/lamb-pickens-vs-brown-smith-whos-the-nfls-best-receiver-duo-in-2025

Using career production doesn't make sense given that they haven't all been in the league the same length of time, plus Pickens spent 2 years with Pickett, Rudolph and Trubiski as rotating QB's.

 

[Bamx]

Of course.

Proven production/winning together over zero experience being on a field together any day.

It mentions that in the write-up, but also includes other factors.

• Brown + Smith have the edge in combined production and playoff success.
• Pickens has the highest yards per catch, showing explosive potential.
• Lamb is the most productive volume receiver overall

Your point is valid, but looking at *pure-talent* alone Pickens and Lamb do hold the advantage.

 

[MountaineerCowboy]

It mentions that in the write-up, but also includes other factors.

• Brown + Smith have the edge in combined production and playoff success.
• Pickens has the highest yards per catch, showing explosive potential.
• Lamb is the most productive volume receiver overall

Your point is valid, but looking at *pure-talent* alone Pickens and Lamb do hold the advantage.

I care about winning and proven ability to play together.

If Dallas traded Lamb and Pickens for Brown and Smith today my answer would still be the same.

Give me the proven product over the “looks good on paper” product.