Lamb vs Pickens?

[Hawkeye0202]

I have debated this a bit with a couple of other posters. I mean, if you KNOW Lamb contract will need attention in 2027 and you KNOW he will continue to be your #1WR after 2027, why pay Pickens $27M for a one-year rental? Stephen clearly stated it will be a challenge to keep BOTH PLAYERS under huge contracts after next season. So we will see what happens but IMO, if Pickens has another CLEAN ALL-PRO year, the decision can get interesting.

https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/co...ckens-espn-hints-at-cowboys-future-wr-dilemma

Here's CeeDee's contract for some context........2027
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47611/ceedee-lamb
* 46M cap hit
* Only 7M guaranteed left his contract
* Post 6/1 trade
027 Dead Cap: $17,080,785
2028 Dead Cap: $31,211,570
2027 Savings: $29,000,000

CeeDee Lamb vs. George Pickens? ESPN Hints At Cowboys Future WR Dilemma​

Adam Schultz

1d

Partner

 

[Bobhaze]

It’s a nice problem to have Hawk.

But I have always believed that in the salary cap era we live in, it’s not worth having two top of the market WRs on the cap. IMO you don’t win SBs with the most expensive WR room in the league.

One way or another, we will probably have to make a decision between those guys. Perhaps even trade one.

 

[Whirlwin]

We you get a championship this season, worry about it next season
Maybe Jerry finally thought ahead,
George Pickens is on a one year deal.

 

[Tabascocat]

If Pickens has another solid season with minimal distractions…..I would go with the younger player moving forward. A two-year age difference doesn’t seem that much now but it will be a factor in a few years. In a perfect world, you keep both but I don’t think dumb and dumber can figure out how.

 

[Whirlwin]

If Pickens has another solid season with minimal distractions…..I would go with the younger player moving forward. A two-year age difference doesn’t seem that much now but it will be a factor in a few years. In a perfect world, you keep both but I don’t think dumb and dumber can figure out how.

Signing one to a franchise tag, maybe they thought ahead

 

[Tangle_Foot]

Just give me this one season and what could be historic wide out production

 

[Verdict]

You can’t have half of your salary cap tied up in 5 contracts and expect to have any real depth. The smart teams decide who they can’t live without, and can’t replace and have the most impact on the team and pay those guys.

Everyone else has to be treated like a fungible commodity and you have to exchange higher priced players for cheaper ones. Smart teams trade valuable players for picks and add new talent through the draft or cheaper players through trades.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

It’s a nice problem to have Hawk.

But I have always believed that in the salary cap era we live in, it’s not worth having two top of the market WRs on the cap. IMO you don’t win SBs with the most expensive WR room in the league.

One way or another, we will probably have to make a decision between those guys. Perhaps even trade one.

Agree 100%........I don't see them letting either walk w/o a trade.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

If Pickens has another solid season with minimal distractions…..I would go with the younger player moving forward. A two-year age difference doesn’t seem that much now but it will be a factor in a few years. In a perfect world, you keep both but I don’t think dumb and dumber can figure out how.

This is not a reach at all IMO.........

 

[Kwyn]

If Pickens is all pro again this year, the decision becomes a coin flip and honestly if he hoping for GP. I think he’s a burning unique talent than Lamb

 

[Jarntt]

I have debated this a bit with a couple of other posters. I mean, if you KNOW Lamb contract will need attention in 2027 and you KNOW he will continue to be your #1WR after 2027, why pay Pickens $27M for a one-year rental? Stephen clearly stated it will be a challenge to keep BOTH PLAYERS under huge contracts after next season. So we will see what happens but IMO, if Pickens has another CLEAN ALL-PRO year, the decision can get interesting.

https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/co...ckens-espn-hints-at-cowboys-future-wr-dilemma

Here's CeeDee's contract for some context........2027
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47611/ceedee-lamb
* 46M cap hit
* Only 7M guaranteed left his contract
* Post 6/1 trade
027 Dead Cap: $17,080,785
2028 Dead Cap: $31,211,570
2027 Savings: $29,000,000

CeeDee Lamb vs. George Pickens? ESPN Hints At Cowboys Future WR Dilemma​

Adam Schultz

1d

Partner

It's not an issue because we can afford both, but in your scenario of "after 2027":
In 2028 CeeDee will be 29. Pickens will be 27. Their respective ages need to be part of the discussion as well. Most importantly of course will be the fact that we will have two more years of performance data and potential injury news and maybe Pickens imploding or continuing to be a great teammate between now and then. That's a lot that can happen that we don't yet know. Why try to decide a post 2027 issue today? Discuss, sure it's a message board and that's what we do, but don't take a firm stance on an open issue.

 

[Whirlwin]

If Pickens is all pro again this year, the decision becomes a coin flip and honestly if he hoping for GP. I think he’s a burning unique talent than Lamb

They both have their unique, skill set,

 

[DanTanna]

I am still in wait and see mode with Pickens. Fingers crossed he is all pro this season. We definitely will have more clarity at the END of the 2026 season, that's when the serious pearl clutching will start IMO LOL. I'm already nervous haha.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I think when you boil it down, the big flaw in our team's cap structure is Dak.

CeeDee, on his own, is worth his $35M a year. Pickens, on his own, is probably a $30M receiver. If either one hit free agency, a team like the Patriots would offer them those contracts tomorrow.

As far as roster construction though, you almost have to keep both, because all your eggs are in your Dak basket. And why are your eggs in your Dak basket, because he's the highest paid QB in the league.

We've seen what this offense looks like when we only have 1 good WR. Playoff defenses double-team that top WR and force everyone else on the Cowboys offense to beat them. We would have to invest that $30M pretty darn well on defense, just to make up for the loss of points on offense. It's a dilemma either way, and I'd honestly just rather pay the known quantity on offense.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

I like Pickens but between the two i have to go Lamb...moves the chains

 

[jazzcat22]

Here is some to consider.

Pickens catches everything within his catch radius.
CeeDee drops passes right in his hands.

 

[charron]

I like both but Lamb can do it all. Lamb has been and can still be a big threat down the field, plus he's so good in the slot. You keep CD and you draft a guy or 2 to develop behind him. It's why I wanted Golden a few years ago instead of the guard in the 1st round.

 

[Whirlwin]

Here is some to consider.

Pickens catches everything within his catch radius.
CeeDee drops passes right in his hands.

It’s like, I’m not catching this ball, this was too easy, make me work for it at Prescott or I’m not catching it.

 

[Whirlwin]

I like both but Lamb can do it all. Lamb has been and can still be a big threat down the field, plus he's so good in the slot. You keep CD and you draft a guy or 2 to develop behind him. It's why I wanted Golden a few years ago instead of the guard in the 1st round.

He was getting pretty beat up at the end of the season last year, put on 10 pounds of muscle, can’t wait to watch him

 

[charron]

He was getting pretty beat up at the end of the season last year, put on 10 pounds of muscle, can’t wait to watch him

I hope he has a down game when we play him. If my memory is correct he went to GB.