Locked On Cowboys Podcast Summary

Episode: George Pickens THRUST Into Spotlight as Cowboys' New WR1 | Will He Step Up In Primetime?
Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool
Network: Locked On Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Dallas Cowboys’ rapidly changing offensive landscape, with George Pickens taking over as the WR1 due to CeeDee Lamb’s injury. Marcus and Landon set expectations for Pickens, evaluate Dak Prescott’s growing responsibility, break down issues with the defensive end rotation, and debate potential lineup changes as the Cowboys try to adapt during a pivotal stretch of the 2025 NFL season.

Main Discussion Points

1. George Pickens as WR1: Can He Rise to the Challenge?

[03:12]

• Opportunity Knocks: With CeeDee Lamb sidelined, Pickens is suddenly "the focus of the defense to try and stop" (Landon, 03:12). Unlike substitutes before him, Pickens will draw legitimate WR1 attention and defensive schemes.
• Measuring Success Beyond the Box Score: Both hosts emphasize that "it's not necessarily a number thing" (Marcus, 04:58). Success will be judged by meaningful impact, reliability, and the ability to command defensive respect rather than raw statistics.
• On Defensive Adjustments: Pickens’ reputation as a downfield threat might keep “one less guy in the box,” potentially helping the run game even when he's not getting targets (Landon, 05:23).
• WR1 Experience: Unlike Tolbert or Mingo, Pickens has already been a #1 option (in Pittsburgh), so “he’s going to have to be reliable... it’s the consistency in the little things” (Marcus, 06:18). There have been some miscues on route-running and timing with Dak, which they hope this stretch will iron out.

Key Quote:

"It’s not just about production. If our run game is efficient because defenses fear Pickens, that counts as being a threat — he still has to make those key plays when the coverage shifts."
— Landon McCool, [05:23]

• Building Chemistry with Dak: With CeeDee out, this is “the best way for Dak and George Pickens to get into rhythm and in sync is to play a lot together” (Marcus, 06:37).
• Responsibility on Dak: "Dak needs to take some ownership here... some of these mistargeting with Pickens and Dak, it’s been a lack of chemistry, which is a two-person thing" (Landon, 07:43).
• Play to Pickens’ Strengths: The current offense should adapt because Pickens, not being a great slot/YAC guy, “is at his best making vertical plays” (Marcus, 08:46). Dak and the coaching staff must shift their approach; more catchable deep balls and a tailored game plan are essential.

Memorable Moment:

"For Pickens, getting down the field, creating vertical stretch on the defense, opening things up underneath... that’s what he does."
— Landon McCool, [09:36]

2. Defensive End Rotation: From Depth to Desperation

[10:40]

• Shuffling Roles Hurts Production: The departure/injury of top players forced everyone a rung up in the hierarchy, exposing lack of depth. “You're having to force [rookie] Donovan Ezraku to play more than five or six snaps a game, which is not exactly what you want” (Landon, 12:23).
• Scheme Challenges: As Marcus notes, “Offensive tackles aren’t having to guess who’s rushing,” so no easy wins, plus confidence is low.
• Individual Performances: Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark are “still winning at a really high rate,” but edge rushers like Sam Williams and as Raku aren’t converting pressures into sacks (Marcus, 15:19).
• Short-term Fixes & Long-term Needs: Adding Jadeveon Clowney helps in the short term but may disrupt rhythm for young players who need development snaps ([17:42]).
• Draft Priorities: Both expect the team to use a high pick at edge:

  “I would be shocked if one of those four first round picks in the next two years is not an edge rusher.”
  — Landon, [19:10]
  “I will be shocked if two of the first round picks aren’t edge rushers over the next two years. Honestly.”
  — Marcus, [19:22]

3. Potential Lineup Changes and Young Player Integration

[22:38]

• Wanye Thomas at Safety: Both call for more snaps. With veterans struggling, especially Donovan Wilson (“he’s always been a high variance player,” Landon, [23:44]), youth should be prioritized.
  • Marcus challenges the idea Wilson returns after 2025:

    “Do you see any scenario where Donovan Wilson is back in 2026?” (25:09)
    Landon's answer: "Unless it’s for the vet minimum and he’s part of a rotation? No." ([25:51])

• Offensive Tackle: Terence Steele vs. Nate Thomas: Marcus is willing to "ride with Steele" for his run blocking but hints at sharing reps if the season derails ([25:09-26:25]).
• Tight End Brevin Span-Ford: Identified as PFF’s highest-graded player, “he’s outright earned his spot to continue to get more and more snaps” (Landon, [27:58]). Leaning into two and three tight end sets makes sense with injuries at WR.
• Philosophy: “If you’re gonna have a lost season... I want to see these young guys get opportunities so we can see what we’ve got in them” (Landon, 26:25).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "You need to find a way to take advantage when the teams kind of drop their guard a little bit, make the big play down the field, remind everyone, hey, I'm George Pickens. I have to be accounted for."
  — Landon, [05:23]
• "Some of the mistargeting with Pickens and Dak, it's been a lack of chemistry, which I think is a two-person thing."
  — Landon, [07:43]
• "Pickens is at his best when he's making plays vertically... he's not fantastic at playing in the slot and YAC and all that kind of stuff."
  — Marcus, [08:46]
• "You like Fowler as an alternate pass rusher... not as the primary. You like seeing Sam Williams mixed in, but right now… he’s basically the primary pass rusher at this point."
  — Landon, [12:23]
• "Is it as simple as just drafting a first round edge rusher and hoping he becomes that guy?"
  — Marcus, [18:43]
• "If the Cowboy season starts to go to a certain spot, rotating series with Nate Thomas… makes sense to me."
  — Landon, [26:03]
• "Brevin Span-Ford... he's outright earned his spot to continue to get more and more snaps. This isn't even about trying to develop a young guy. He's just better than Schoonmaker."
  — Landon, [27:58]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:12] – George Pickens’ expectations as new WR1
• [05:23] – Impact on offense and Dallas' run game
• [06:18] – Pickens’ history as #1, chemistry concerns
• [09:36] – Pickens’ skillset vs. CeeDee’s, offense adjustments
• [10:40] – Defensive end rotation issues
• [12:23] – Depth problem: why it’s happening
• [15:19] – Pass rush struggles, schematic factors
• [17:42] – Jadeveon Clowney’s impact and the value of development snaps
• [19:10] – Rebuilding the defensive end with draft priorities
• [22:38] – Lineup changes: safety, offensive line, tight end
• [27:34] – Brevin Span-Ford’s emergence as a top run-blocker

Summary for the Uninitiated

If you haven’t listened to this episode:

• The Dallas Cowboys are entering a critical juncture, forced to rely on George Pickens as their primary receiver in CeeDee Lamb’s absence. The hosts are cautiously optimistic but note that Pickens’ impact will be felt beyond just stats—it’s about consistency, chemistry, and the ability to stretch defenses to help the run game.
• Defensive end depth, once a strength, has turned into a liability due to injury and role-shuffling, leading to speculation about the need to prioritize the position in upcoming drafts.
• The team should start giving more snaps to promising young players (notably at safety and tight end), especially if playoff hopes fade, to evaluate roster pieces for the future.
• The tone is realistic but not despairing; both Marcus and Landon blend analysis, measured optimism for certain young players, and a call for practical adaptation as the Cowboys weather this tough stretch.

In Their Words

• "If you're gonna have a lost season... I want to see these young guys get opportunities so we can see what we've got in them." (Landon, [26:25])
• "It's not going to be where [Dak] is with CD... but you need it to get to the point where if [Pickens] is going to be the number one wide receiver, you're converting more of these targets." (Landon, [07:43])
• "You need that kind of player—physicality and pass rush up front in the worst way." (Landon, [19:33])
• "Lean into that, right? You're going to have to change your offense up anyways because of the injuries." (Marcus, [28:22])

For the full episode and deeper Dallas Cowboys insights, follow Landon (@mccoolbcb) and Marcus (@Marcus_Mosher) on Twitter, and don’t miss the next crossover episode with Locked On Packers.