George Pickens Joins the Cowboys: What It Means for CeeDee Lamb, the Slot Game & Offensive Strategy in 2025
Let’s be real — the Dallas Cowboys’ offense is walking into the 2025 season with a shiny new toy and a very delicate puzzle to solve. The big offseason move? Trading for George Pickens — a legit X receiver out of Pittsburgh who’s got the size, swagger, and stats to make a difference. But here’s the million-dollar question: how does that impact All-Pro wideout CeeDee Lamb, the undisputed engine of Dallas’ aerial attack?
The Slot Dilemma: Lamb vs. Pickens?
The Cowboys knew exactly what they were getting into when they brought Pickens into the fold. And while on paper it may look like a “problem solved” kind of move — get a true X guy to free up Lamb in the slot — the situation’s a bit more layered than that.
See, Pickens doesn’t just hang out wide. In fact, 143 of his 811 snaps in 2024 came from the slot, according to PFF. That’s not a trivial number. Sure, it’s nowhere near Lamb’s monster 396 slot snaps, but it’s enough to create a bit of a tug-of-war. If Pickens were to match that slot usage again in 2025, Lamb’s inside snaps could drop by as much as 35%, potentially reducing his slot count to around 256.
That's a big dip — and it raises the stakes for the offensive schemers in Dallas.
CeeDee Lamb Is Still The Guy
No matter what happens with formations, alignments, or play designs, Lamb is the heart and soul of this Cowboys offense. He’s signed to a four-year, $136 million contract, and he's not just a WR1 — he’s the WR1. Past, present, future — all of it runs through No. 88.
Lamb does his best work from the slot, where he can use his route tree mastery and athleticism to torch defenders with two-way release options. So when the Cowboys went hunting for a WR2 this offseason, the priority wasn’t just talent — it was finding a true complement, not a competitor for the same real estate.
Spread? Not So Much — Welcome to Condensed Formations
Now here’s where things get juicy. New offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is a different breed from Mike McCarthy. Forget the wide-open spread looks of the past — Schottenheimer loves condensed formations. That’s a game-changer.
In condensed sets, you pull outside receivers in toward the middle of the field. It’s a chess move that opens up 180-degree releases, usually reserved for slot players, and it adds all kinds of motion, deception, and unpredictability.
That’s good news for both Lamb and Pickens. You can create inside leverage without sacrificing outside threat. It’s a scheme that allows multiple players to thrive “inside” even in base 11 personnel — the traditional three-wide receiver set.
Pickens: Not Just a Sideline Guy
While George Pickens is built like your prototypical X receiver — long, physical, and able to win one-on-ones on the outside — he’s far more versatile than he gets credit for.
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In 2024, Pickens posted 2.13 yards per route run from the slot. That's elite territory.
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He’s shown he can be deadly when moved around — just like Lamb.
So, does it make sense to glue him to the sideline in 2025? Not even close. Doing that would not only limit Pickens’ strengths, but also make the offense predictable and easier to defend. The Cowboys would be handing the advantage back to defensive coordinators by locking into rigid roles.
And let's not forget — the Cowboys already tried the whole "let's force an outside WR into a box" thing with Michael Gallup, and we all saw how that panned out.
You Can Have Both — Thanks to Schottenheimer’s Playbook
Here’s the beauty of it all: this doesn’t have to be a Pickens vs. Lamb scenario. Schottenheimer’s system gives both receivers the chance to operate from the slot — sometimes at the same time — thanks to intelligent formation design.
Think of condensed formations like a hybrid playground. Your “outside” guys are lined up tighter, giving them some of that same juicy inside release room as a slot receiver. It's like slot privileges without officially being in the slot.
And if you’re wondering how tight ends fit into all this: Jake Ferguson quietly logged 43 snaps split out wide in 2024 and 73 the year before. With more condensed looks coming in 2025, expect Ferguson to see even more reps lined up outside, allowing guys like Pickens to sneak into inside roles.
This kind of flexibility is gold for a creative OC, and Schottenheimer clearly knows how to use it. The more the Cowboys mix it up, the harder it’ll be for defenses to keep up.
But Wait, There's More...
This isn’t just about lining up guys in different spots — it’s about making the defense guess wrong, every single time.
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Condensed looks pull defenders into traffic.
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Motion and bunch sets disguise routes.
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Tight ends and receivers switch roles on a dime.
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Lamb and Pickens can both attack inside leverage.
If you’re a defensive coordinator prepping for this Cowboys team, you’re probably sweating bullets.
Final Thoughts: Let Them Both Cook
Bottom line? There’s no reason to limit either CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens in this offense. They can both thrive inside. They can both work outside. The only real constraint here is how far Schottenheimer wants to go with his creativity — and judging by his past, he’s just getting started.
There’s no need to turn Pickens into a boundary-only guy just to give Lamb the entire slot. And there’s no need to force Lamb outside when Pickens rotates in. The Cowboys finally have the tools to be flexible, dangerous, and balanced — something this team has lacked at times in recent years.
The idea isn’t about who owns the slot. It’s about using every inch of the field, every possible matchup, and every weapon available to make life miserable for opposing defenses.
So buckle up, Cowboys fans. 2025 is about to get fun — and unpredictable.
Want to stay in the loop with the latest takes, roster updates, and in-depth film breakdowns? Follow Reid on X (@ReidDHanson) and be sure to hit up Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join the debate with fellow fans. The season can’t get here soon enough.
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