In the optimistic haze of the NFL offseason, every trade, signing, and draft pick sparkles with potential. The Dallas Cowboys, like many teams, dove into the market with high hopes, but ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has cast a shadow over two of their key acquisitions, labeling them as potential flops. The Cowboys invested $6.6 million and a draft pick to bring in wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams, but these moves carry significant risks that could derail Dallas’ 2025 season.
George Pickens: A High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble
The Cowboys acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2026 draft pick, with his $3.6 million salary in the fourth year of his rookie deal. The move was heralded as a way to bolster Dallas’ passing game, transitioning Pickens from Pittsburgh’s run-heavy, low-pass offense to the Cowboys’ pass-happy attack. In 2024, Dallas ranked third in pass rate in neutral game scripts on early downs before Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9, while Pittsburgh lagged at 25th. With Brian Schottenheimer taking over as coach, the Cowboys’ fast-paced style is expected to continue, potentially giving Pickens more opportunities to shine.
Prescott’s pinpoint accuracy on slants, digs, and back-shoulder throws aligns perfectly with Pickens’ skill set, offering a significant upgrade over the quarterback play he experienced in Pittsburgh. At 6-foot-3, Pickens has the frame and catch radius to dominate, but Barnwell warns that his production may not live up to the hype. Despite his physical gifts, Pickens has struggled in the red zone, scoring just five touchdowns on 48 targets inside the 20-yard line across his first three seasons. For a team expecting him to fill the role vacated by Brandin Cooks, who drew targets on 19% of his routes in 2024, Pickens’ 25% target share in Pittsburgh could take a hit, potentially costing him 40 targets over a full season. If Schottenheimer can’t scheme one-on-one matchups to leverage Pickens’ size, this trade could fizzle.
Javonte Williams: A Puzzling Free-Agent Signing
The Cowboys also signed running back Javonte Williams to a one-year, $3 million deal after his stint with the Denver Broncos. The move raises eyebrows, as Dallas already had Rico Dowdle, a capable back, for a similar cost. Barnwell questions the logic of prioritizing Williams, whose upside appears limited compared to Dowdle’s potential, especially with the added cost of a possible 2026 draft pick. Williams is likely to slot into a committee approach, splitting carries and reducing his impact as a feature back. Without a clear edge over Dowdle, this signing risks being a costly misstep for a team aiming to maximize every dollar.
Boom or Bust for Dallas?
The Cowboys’ offseason moves were designed to elevate an offense led by CeeDee Lamb, with Pickens and Williams expected to play pivotal roles. A breakout season from Pickens could unlock opportunities for Jake Ferguson, Kavontae Turpin, and Jalen Tolbert, creating a dynamic passing attack. However, if Pickens’ target share drops and he fails to deliver in the red zone, or if Williams proves redundant in a crowded backfield, Dallas could be left regretting their $6.6 million investment and the loss of a draft pick.
Every offseason move is a gamble, and the Cowboys are banking on Pickens and Williams defying the odds. But with Barnwell’s warnings ringing loud, Dallas faces the very real possibility that these acquisitions could crash and burn, leaving their 2025 aspirations in tatters.