FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys star WR George Pickens made ESPN’s top 100 NFL players list for the 2026 season.
This is notable because Pickens didn’t make the list in 2025.
After his stellar 2025 season, Pickens comes in at No. 46 this year on ESPN’s list.
“After putting up career highs in catches (93) and touchdowns (nine) last season, expectations are as high as ever for Pickens, and he has been the dominant performer of training camp,” ESPN’s Todd Archer wrote. “Pickens is playing on a $27.3 million franchise tag, so he is still trying to show the Cowboys — and potentially other teams — that he is worth a hefty payday. Also, whatever issues he had in Pittsburgh have not been a problem in Dallas. “When it’s a different vibe and environment, then that’s mostly what you’re seeing out of me now.”
Pickens’ 1,429 receiving yards in 2025 were the most by any player in their first season with the Cowboys. His campaign included five games with 100-plus receiving yards.
Pickens Was Brilliant In 2025
In his first season with the Cowboys, Pickens was nothing short of spectacular. He finished with 93 receptions for 1,429 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns en route to making his first Pro Bowl.
Pickens enters this season with 267 receptions for 4,270 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cowboys. He played in two playoff games with Pittsburgh in 2023 and 2024, putting up 10 catches for 137 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
Pickens and Co. begin the 2026 season against the New York Giants. Pickens had six catches for 77 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown against the Giants last season.
‘The Guy Wants To Play Football’
Pickens signed his non-exclusive franchise tag in late April, and after the July 15 deadline passed without a multi-year deal, league rules dictate he must play out the 2026 season before contract talks can resume next winter.
Rather than letting the uncertainty linger, Pickens immediately set the tone for the offense in training camp in Southern California, pairing high-flying highlights with steady practice intensity.
“Going into training camp, playing on the (franchise) tag, the guy wants to play football and he wants to be around his teammates,” Cowboys QB Dak Prescott said. “You just get a vision of that every day and what that looks like when he gets on the field. He’s able to just fully be George, bringing the energy, making the catches, making the plays, obviously with what he brings to this offense he showed last year.”
Pickens will play the 2026 season on his $27.3 million franchise tender. Dallas acquired the talented wideout from the Steelers last year.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was impressed with Pickens’ play in training camp, which is a good sign that the WR won’t be a distraction this season despite not getting a long-term deal.
“He was as dialed in in meetings as I’ve seen him since he’s been here, just following along, questions,” Schottenheimer said. “I think you’re going to see a very motivated George Pickens going into the season. And I think that’s great news for us and maybe bad news for the rest of the league.”
