Analyst Proposes George Pickens in Trade Package for CeeDee Lamb
With Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb holding out of mandatory minicamp because of a contract dispute, Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report tabbed four trade packages for Lamb that the Cowboys couldn’t deny.
One of proposals includes the Pittsburgh Steelers sending wide receiver George Pickens and a second-round pick to Dallas for Lamb.
The Steelers kicked the tires on San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel this offseason, but nothing materialized. There was a report from Micheal Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle that the Steelers were unwilling to meet the 49ers’ price for Samuel.
That doesn’t mean a blockbuster trade for a wide receiver is off the table, however. Steelers general manager Omar Khan could have something up his sleeve later this summer.
A player-for-player deal with Pickens and Lamb would be pretty surprising, though. The Steelers’ receiver corps is already thin as it is. Departing from Pickens wouldn’t solve the depth concerns, even though Lamb’s a more accomplished receiver.
Gagnon thinks his trade proposal makes sense as Dallas would save money and gain some draft capital and Pittsburgh will be in better position to win now. He also notes that the Steelers are in better cap shape than the Cowboys to pay Lamb.
Lamb, who was named first-team All-Pro last season, recorded 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. With those eye-popping numbers, Lamb is probably seeking a mega deal.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott “immediately” called his Lamb once the news broke that Justin Jefferson got a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings.
Prescott isn’t concerned about his star wideout. He thinks everything will work itself out.
“CeeDee’s handling business,” Prescott said. “Nobody’s more in his corner than I am, understanding that that’s his chess move, and he’s got to do that. So I know him, I know he’s been working. As I said, I’ve thrown with him. He’s just fine.”
Pickens caught 52 passes for 801 yards and four scores in his rookie season in 2022. Last season, he elevated his game with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report tabbed Pickens among six players who are primed to make an All-Pro leap in 2024.
Pickens responded late last season with stellar play after being criticized for displaying a lack of effort in the Week 15 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Immaturity issues have popped up in Pickens’ two seasons with the Steelers, but that’s all in the past now. The Steelers believe they have a bona fide No. 1 wide receiver in Pickens.
A Lamb-Pickens swap along with the Steelers sending a second-round pick to Dallas seems far-fetched. A first-round pick and additional draft capital seems like the route that Khan would go if he makes a blockbuster trade for a receiver. Trading Pickens wouldn’t make much sense.
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