The Cowboys boast two elite weapons in Pickens and Lamb, but who is the true No. 1 option?
When the Dallas Cowboys traded for George Pickens last offseason, the immediate thought was who would be the No. 1 receiver.
Was it still CeeDee Lamb? Or is now Pickens?
We heard both state throughout the offseason that they are both No. 1's, and it worked out pretty well for the Cowboys. Lamb and Pickens formed a formidable receiver tandem that you can argue is one of the best in football.
Pickens posted 1,429 yards and 9 TDs from 93 receptions, while Lamb, in a down year, managed 1,077 yards and 3 TDs from 75 receptions.
Both have different elements to their game, with Pickens being the downfield, contested-catch beast, who is also nasty in the open field.
While Lamb does everything an elite receiver needs to do. He excels on short, intermediate, and deep routes, is superb after the catch, and loves the physicality of contested catches.
In truth, you could pick either to be your No. 1 receiver, and you'd be happy with your choice.
But what do people outside of the organization think?
In ESPN's ranking of the top 10 receivers in football, one NFL coordinator, when asked who Dallas' No. 1 receiver is, according to Jeremy Fowler, didn't hesitate with their answer.
"It's Pickens," the coordinator said. "He has emerged."
Is it really Pickens? In truth, it is subjective.
But for the sake of this argument, let's go through it, and yes, we are splitting hairs here.
Pickens had one really good year in the NFL, and that was last season. His other years have been fine but not outstanding.
As for CeeDee? Five Pro Bowls, an All-Pro, and five straight seasons of 1,000 yards. That's some resume already for Lamb.
Now, Pickens is more explosive as a downfield threat, so he has that over Lamb, but when CeeDee has the edge, you know what you are going to get from him on a weekly basis, with George? Not so much.
But are elite with the ball in their hands, and command the defense's attention, so you can easily make the case both are true No. 1 receivers.
Who you have as the better receiver is purely subjective, and in truth, either is fine as they both lift the offense in a way a true No. 1 should.
It is a fun debate, but if I had to choose, it's CeeDee, simply because he's done it for longer and is a more consistent weapon on a down-to-down basis.
But again, we're splitting hairs here, aren't we?
Let's just enjoy both...while we still have them.
