Pickens had a career year in 2025, and it appears he could be rewarded for it.
The 2025 season went as well as it could for Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens.
After being traded to the Cowboys in the offseason, many saw the move as a huge risk for Dallas, given the off-field incidents and Pickens' fiery on-field behavior that sometimes got his team into trouble.
But the Cowboys thought they could get the best out of George and man, did they.
What followed was Pickens' best-ever NFL season, as he totaled 1,429 yards and 9 TDs from 93 receptions, all career highs.
He became a matchup nightmare, a true-difference maker, and that was with CeeDee Lamb on the other side as well.
George went through a stretch where he was borderline unstoppable on slant routes as the Cowboys' offense became one of the best in football. Such was Pickens' impact, some even asked if he was the best weapon on the Cowboys' roster.
And now after his first-ever Pro Bowl season, NFL.com's Bucky Brooks thinks George will land in the top 50 when the NFL drops its top 100 players list later this year.
"After being traded to the Cowboys following a topsy-turvy run in Pittsburgh, the 6-3, 200-pounder showed the football world he is a legitimate WR1," Brooks wrote. "Despite sharing the marquee with CeeDee Lamb, Pickens ranked third in the league in receiving yards (1,429), averaging 15.4 yards per catch.
"He has become a nightmare on the perimeter for defenses as a crafty route runner, particularly on slants and other in-breaking routes at intermediate depth."
I'd say that's a fair statement.
Pickens proved to be one of the best receivers in football last season.
He was eighth in receptions (93), third in yards (1,429) and joint-fourth in touchdowns (9), which equates to a Pro Bowl season.
But the big question mark over George is whether or not he can do it again, as 2025 was the first time he had a truly outstanding season.
He hasn't shown up to Dallas OTAs yet, and with mandatory minicamp starting in a couple of days, he has to begin his offseason at some point.
Pickens to land in the top 50 NFL players after his 2025 season is a fair statement, but what does 2026 have in store for Pickens?
Another stellar season or proof that 2025 was a one season wonder?
