George Pickens didn't torch the Eagles secondary like many Dallas Cowboys expected, but the attention he garnered from star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell gave CeeDee Lamb more than enough real estate to dominate. Lamb should have won the game for Dallas, but he had an uncharacteristic case of the drops.
Rest assured, Lamb will bounce back and Pickens will be a bigger part of the offense. How much Pickens produces - and whether he keeps his act together - will determine whether the Cowboys re-sign him after the season.
Unfortunately, those odds took a sizable hit on Sunday when the Lions gave receiver Jameson Williams a three-year extension worth up to $83 million.
Cowboys may lose George Pickens after Jameson Williams' massive Lions extension
Trading Micah Parsons gives the Cowboys a lot more money to work with next offseason, but this only drives up Pickens' price.
Williams is one of the better secondary receivers in the game, along with Pickens. He broke out last season to the tune of 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. His 17.3 yards per reception ranked first among WRs with at least 70 targets, per PFF.
The year-to-year breakdown of Williams' contract hasn't been revealed. At face value, though, it's worth $27.6 million per year, which puts him in the top 15 highest-paid wideouts.
Pickens has a case to get more than that. He averaged 947 receiving yards, four TDs and 16.2 yards per catch in three years with the Steelers. Williams missed all but six games of his rookie year recovering from a torn ACL and he had just 354 receiving yards in 12 games the following year.
The 24-year-old Pickens has been more consistent and durable. He could command up to $30 million per year by next offseason regardless if more receiver deals get done between now and then.
As long as Pickens keeps his head on straight and stays healthy, the Cowboys should do whatever it takes to keep him. A duo of Pickens and CeeDee Lamb could keep Dallas in playoff contention as long as Dak Prescott is under center, but it might cost more than this front office is comfortable spending.