4 Reasons WR George Pickens is a fantasy football “TRAP” in 2025

BAD BOY DECOY

While researching my TOP 5 WRs to target in fantasy football this season, I wanted to share four reasons why I won’t draft George Pickens this fall. Once he was traded, I initially tried to make sense of it on YouTube.

My first TRAP edition was the RBBC (Running Back By Committee) scenario currently in Dallas. I won’t be drafting any Cowboys RB this season either as a result. The only 2 Cowboys I will draft this season, however, are WR CeeDee Lamb and K Brandon Aubrey.

Just like I’m not drinking the RB Jayden “BLUE KOOLAID,” neither will I sip from the Pickens cup either. For starters, he’s on a 1 year rental deal. How much volume do you think he will get? What if Schotty makes this a run-first offense?

ESPN currently has him ranked 27th among WRs and projects him to receive 117 targets. Oh really? WR1 CeeDee Lamb was targeted 152 times last season. Not to mention KaVontae Turpin’s 52 targets and TE Jake Ferguson’s 86 targets. Pickens will be the low man on the Prescott totem pole. Here’s why.

REASON ONE

He’s on a one-year RENTAL DEAL. I cannot see him getting over 100 targets this season. New Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer wants this offense to be PHYSICAL AND FAST. Sounds like an RBBC scenario to me. Why would Pickens get VOLUME just to become another contract dilemma in the media next year? VOLUME equals leverage at the negotiating table with Jerry. The press will watch his every move, waiting for him to CRASH OUT in Dallas. Pay attention.

REASON TWO

The Dallas Cowboys hired OC KLAYTONADAMS from Arizona, who favors the RUN, apparently giving credence to PHYSICAL AND FAST in the trenches this season, hand-picked by SCHOTTY also. Should the Cowboys develop a “GROUND TOWN” offense that spells trouble for the WR overall targets. I’m hearing the RBBC will be utilized each week to game plan for their opponents’ weaknesses. No clear-cut RB1 in Dallas, yet, but WR1 is a no-brainer.

REASON THREE

CeeDee Lamb is currently ranked 3rd on ESPN’s WR board, just behind Justin Jefferson (2) and Ja’Marr Chase (1). He could easily become the most productive WR in fantasy football thanks to this new “BAD BOY DECOY.” Las Vegas will have fun with Pickens’ prop bets this season. Pickens on opposite sides of Lamb means 1-on-1 for WR1 in Dallas. My money’s on Lamb, not Pickens. Remember the four opponents each NFL team faces each week.

REASON FOUR

Pickens will be sought after because of his size, catch radius, and red-zone appeal. I won’t draft him, but I recommend it if you do; he’s a WR3 FLEX at best each week. Depending on the matchups. If you draft Prescott, he could be a sneaky play week to week as a STACK. He does have explosive play ability. Not enough upside for consistent volume until we see what identity this Cowboys offense develops.

YOUR DALLAS COWBOYS RESIDENT EXPERT

This season, I’m getting back to my fantasy football roots. You’re invited to join me here on Patreon. I will have a Patron league set up for those RAISE THE BAR members here. You’re welcome to bring your talents here this season.

For the last 2 seasons, I shared my weekly game picks. In 2023, I garnered a 68% win rate. Then, in 2024, I followed that up with a 71% win rate, representing a slight improvement. Not to mention my 76% prime time game win rate. My GOAL this season is to reach a 75% win rate. I’m sharing my picks here exclusively on Patreon. Demonstration beats conversation.

You’re welcome to join my FREE Patreon 7-day trial today. Check things out, especially if you’re a new fantasy football player this season. Much of my content will be easy to understand and can be applied directly to your leagues. Take it from a veteran.

To sum it up, Pickens is a one-year rental just enough to tilt the Cowboys’ offense in Prescott’s favor at the line of scrimmage this season. He won’t get much volume because that means negotiations next summer. Most importantly, if this offense is RUN FIRST, he’s simply a BAD BOY DECOY for CeeDee on the opposite side of the field.