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OXNARD, CA \u2013 It was the last play of practice. George Pickens, running a sharp comeback route, snagged Dak Prescott\u2019s short pass to the left flat and urgently juked a defender near the sideline. Then he cut against the grain and streaked across the field for at least another 50 yards with a purpose. The crowd roared.<\/p>\n
Pickens didn\u2019t stop until he crossed the goal line. Then he added theatrics. The wide receiver stretched both arms toward the sky and crashed on his back.<\/p>\n
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It was also significant that two of his new Dallas Cowboys teammates \u2013 Cee Dee Lamb and tight end Jake Ferguson \u2013 sprinted downfield to join Pickens in a celebration.<\/p>\n
What a snapshot of training camp bliss. Big play, big celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cTeam brotherhood, yeah,\u201d Pickens told USA TODAY Sports a few minutes later. \u201cReally, I\u2019m just embracing it. And it\u2019s about them embracing me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Welcome to the next chapter of Pickens\u2019 NFL career. The Cowboys obtained the fourth-year pro from the Pittsburgh Steelers in a post-draft trade in May and there are grand visions of the big plays he can produce as another target for Prescott, opposite the All-Pro Lamb. Since he entered the NFL as a second-round pick from Georgia, only Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown have produced more receptions of at least 25 yards than Pickens (41). Last season, Pickens’ 14 catches in that category were topped only by Jefferson and Ja\u2019Marr Chase.<\/p>\n
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And Pickens, 24, is clearly elite when it comes to hauling in contested catches.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the reason the home run threat was available in the first place. Too often, Pickens was his own worst enemy with the Steelers, a headache waiting to happen. Being explosive, it seems, is a double-edged sword. There were hotheaded scuffles with opponents. During at least one game, he argued with fans. He was also criticized for lacking professionalism while dodging the media.<\/p>\n
After Pickens drew two unsportsmanlike conduct flags during a game at Cincinnati with fits of immaturity, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of the receiver: \u201cHe\u2019s got to grow up in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Undoubtedly, the Steelers embraced the idea of moving on from Pickens.<\/p>\n
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Hello, Dallas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issues, they don\u2019t deter me at all,\u201d Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told USA TODAY Sports in May, shortly after the trade.<\/p>\n
Dallas sent a third-round pick in 2026 and a fifth-round choice in 2027 to Pittsburgh for Pickens and a sixth-round pick in 2027. \u201cYou get these guys that are really in the right place, that makes a big difference,\u201d Jones said.<\/p>\n
Jones has a history of taking chances on players who either fell out of favor elsewhere, or carried baggage related to off-the-field issues. Some cases worked out, while others flopped. The former category would include Hall of Famer Charles Haley, who became a key cog in three Super Bowl championship teams after he was obtained in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. The latter category would include Adam \u201cPacman\u201d Jones and Greg Hardy, whose legal issues didn\u2019t end when they joined the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe biggest issue of all is that I\u2019ve never met a human that didn\u2019t have frailties,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAs a matter of fact, someone once said, \u2018Jerry might be the most flawed individual I\u2019ve ever met.\u2019 As one flawed person to the other, I look forward to working with George.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pickens is well aware of the reputation he hopes to leave behind with his fresh start.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can push a certain narrative. I know, personally, myself, that I\u2019m not an issue,\u201d Pickens said. \u201cNow, I\u2019m just following the Cowboys way. They always want to win a Super Bowl. So, I\u2019m on their agenda now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n