What I am hearing Pickens, might be our best deep threat in years!

[CCBoy]

I hate to be the wet blanket but it is going to be so important now to be able to run the football. I just can’t get that home loss to the 49ers in the playoffs when Martin and Tyron got whooped. Amari and CeeDee were cooking for most of the season but we couldn’t run the ball so the 49ers only had like 6 in the box. Ferguson and Schoonmaker might be the key to the offense when we run the 12 personnel so you can’t just key on CeeDee and Pickens.

The current interior line starters will ensure that ability and when mixed with a variety of runners also, now. Tight ends and a fullback can improve ability to run where wanted.

 

[speedkilz88]

 

[Havic]

Serious question.

Dak lacked zip on the ball last year, can he even throw a deep ball to take advantage of his skillset?

 

[gimmesix]

His ability on the field is of absolutely no question.

Hey if those 7th round DTs turn into instant studs then grabbing Pickens was certainly the right move.

He will either produce or open it up for others. Then you have to figure out how to replace that for 2026 because you can’t pay him and Lamb.

You can, but Dallas won't. JaMarr Chase is the highest-paid receiver in APY at $40 million, $5 million than the next highest. The Bengals are also paying Tee Higgins $28.7 million APY. And it's not because they are cheap at QB, since Burrow is averaging $5 million less per year than Dak.

Cincy is not the only team doing that, either. The Eagles pay A.J. Brown $32 million APY ($2 million behind Lamb) and DeVonta Smith $25 million APY. And the Eagles are doing that while paying their QB and paying an RB $20 million APY.

 

[CWR]

His ability on the field is of absolutely no question.

Hey if those 7th round DTs turn into instant studs then grabbing Pickens was certainly the right move.

He will either produce or open it up for others. Then you have to figure out how to replace that for 2026 because you can’t pay him and Lamb.

I imagine you could find a way. We wouldn't be the only team who pays more than one stud wr. I guess it depends on how "worth it" he ends up being. The Eagles are paying both their wideouts aren't they? Also the Bengals, although I don't know who else has big contracts in Cincy. I do know Phily has quite a few guys getting paid well.

 

[gimmesix]

I imagine you could find a way. We wouldn't be the only team who pays more than one stud wr. I guess it depends on how "worth it" he ends up being. The Eagles are paying both their wideouts aren't they? Also the Bengals, although I don't know who else has big contracts in Cincy. I do know Phily has quite a few guys getting paid well.

Fans say we need to be more like the Eagles. What the Eagles have done is show they value their top skill position players.

 

[fivetwos]

You can, but Dallas won't. JaMarr Chase is the highest-paid receiver in APY at $40 million, $5 million than the next highest. The Bengals are also paying Tee Higgins $28.7 million APY. And it's not because they are cheap at QB, since Burrow is averaging $5 million less per year than Dak.

Cincy is not the only team doing that, either. The Eagles pay A.J. Brown $32 million APY ($2 million behind Lamb) and DeVonta Smith $25 million APY. And the Eagles are doing that while paying their QB and paying an RB $20 million APY.

Yep, agree but they are all #1 and #2 money. Lamb is obviously the guy in Dallas, but if Pickens can find a way to behave himself, he can probably command #1 money elsewhere.

I suppose they could do it, but are two #1 contracts the right move?

Goes right back to why this trade made no sense unless this team was ready to win this year. It makes them better, on the field anyway, but it doesn’t change its ceiling much IMO.

 

[gimmesix]

Yep, agree but they are all #1 and #2 money. Lamb is obviously the guy in Dallas, but if Pickens can find a way to behave himself, he can probably command #1 money elsewhere.

I suppose they could do it, but are two #1 contracts the right move?

Goes right back to why this trade made no sense unless this team was ready to win this year. It makes them better, on the field anyway, but it doesn’t change its ceiling much IMO.

I think if he plays like he's worth it and doesn't cause problems, then you find a way to do it. The NFL is set up to allow teams to move money around to keep their players. (Dak's contract, for instance, has another large base salary number next year at $40 million that can be restructured. It wouldn't even prevent Dallas from cutting him in 2028, the first year it's realistic, at a cap savings.) The Joneses only complain about not being able to pay everyone when they don't want to pay someone.

We could also tag Pickens next year for, I believe, less than $30 million.

 

[Cowboyny]

This WR group, tight ends, and Blue make the passing attack for Dallas tough to try and handle, if that.

Let’s hope our tackles hold up in pass protection

 

[CCBoy]

Let’s hope our tackles hold up in pass protection

Tight ends can double team as well and that puts a ton of speed and talent out and down range.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Pickens averaged 15 yards per catch last season and has a career average of 16. Tyreek Hill's career average is 13. Yes, Hill isn't just a deep receiver, but it shows how much Pickens is successful stretching the field.

He has a tremendous catch radius, long arms, great hands where he can adjust to poor accurate passes. No, he isn't as freaky as Dez Bryant will the ball in the air, but he is darn good.

Isn't consider a great route runner, nor get much separation, but he comes down with all those 50/50 balls. Kindly of sounds like T-Mac in the draft, but with more speed.

Knows how to beat, physical press coverage and won't shy away from contact.

Certainly sounds like an ideal #2 WR who has the ability to stretch the field and keep defense's from loading the box.

I think he WANTS that ball. And will be downfield to get it.

The...concern...I have is if we are capable of getting it near him. Downfield.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Let’s hope our tackles hold up in pass protection

And that Dak can move around to create the necessary space too. he HAS done it before....but...age and injury. Let's hope so.

 

[Gameover]

Better than Harper. As others have said, Pickens is a #1 for a lot of teams.

no need to disrespect Harp

 

[Pass2Run]

no need to disrespect Harp

I didn't mean it was disrespect, but Pickens is good. I don't think many would compare the two anyway.

I mean, Alvin Harper was good in his own right. But Pickens can pretty much be that dude with the right team.

 

[Catpappy]

I often told my Steelers fan friend. Pickens reminds me of Michael Irvin in certain ways.
No, I am not saying he will be. But he has that potential.

lol

 

[Pass2Run]

Someone was saying this earlier. We haven't signed a guy this good in free agency since Haley or at least TO.

Stoked about Pickens.

 

[BoyzBlaster]

Fans say we need to be more like the Eagles. What the Eagles have done is show they value their top skill position players.

Unfortunately they also invest first round picks at DT and it shows BIG TIME.

 

[CowboyoWales]

Serious question.

Dak lacked zip on the ball last year, can he even throw a deep ball to take advantage of his skillset?

If Dak doesnt have the zip or isnt comfortable in throwing into down field contested situations, then the field is going to get mighty condensed on him (and we're black to the Blueprint). But at least he's now got a fair crack at proving us (me included) wrong.....the upgrade on Mingo/Tolbert takes away the weapons 'excuse'.

Quite excited to see whether Dak can step up.....this is a chance, now take it and prove there's hope for 2026/27.

 

[Rayman70]

Pickens averaged 15 yards per catch last season and has a career average of 16. Tyreek Hill's career average is 13. Yes, Hill isn't just a deep receiver, but it shows how much Pickens is successful stretching the field.

He has a tremendous catch radius, long arms, great hands where he can adjust to poor accurate passes. No, he isn't as freaky as Dez Bryant will the ball in the air, but he is darn good.

Isn't consider a great route runner, nor get much separation, but he comes down with all those 50/50 balls. Kindly of sounds like T-Mac in the draft, but with more speed.

Knows how to beat, physical press coverage and won't shy away from contact.

Certainly sounds like an ideal #2 WR who has the ability to stretch the field and keep defense's from loading the box.

He's just 24. We traded a 3rd. This was better than any 3rd round wr we could have reached for in the draft. I look at this like he's part of our draft class in 2025. When examining our draft, you must include him in it as if he's a pick. Then we can properly judge it. When you do that, we may have graded out in the top 5 . We obviously went into the draft fully aware what the plan was and we implemented it beautifully. We did this with Pickens in mind. The guy has tentacles for arms. Much like CD in so many ways, but has more speed. Now our entire offense can eat. Wouldn't be shocked if our running backs have great stats too. Like you said, the man has never had a good NFL QB. He had to play with bums. Now he can just be him. I can argue that the pressure is off of him now. He won't be expected to be the only guy. Some of his antics might have been frustration from the ridiculous QB situation and how poorly the offense in Pittsburgh was run by Tomlin.

 

[JW82]

We basically got what we hoped McMillen could become. But a faster version.