# Dallas Cowboys NFL team. Team code: **DAL**. ## Quick Facts - **Team code:** DAL - **Head coach:** Brian Schottenheimer (Brian Schottenheimer — Dallas Cowboys Head Coach) - **Offensive coordinator:** Klayton Adams (Klayton Adams — Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator) - **Defensive coordinator:** Christian Parker (Christian Parker — Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator) - **Coaching tree:** see Coaching Trees ## Fantasy Footprint Cowboys finished 5th in scoring last year but have clear improvement paths. Offense tied for 3rd-worst turnover differential (21 giveaways vs 12 forced) — correcting this improves consistency. Jake Ferguson had career-high 82 receptions but with career-low 7.3 yards per reception and lowest average depth of target (4.7 yards). Prescott excels on seam routes and vertical throws to tight ends; leveraging Ferguson more on these routes is stated priority. Javonte Williams had breakout 2025 season (career highs in carries, yards, YPA); signed three-year deal. Finding true No. 2 RB (veteran Malik Davis or youth options Jaydon Blue/Phil Mafah) to preserve Williams' health and reduce load is critical (per 5 ways the Cowboys' offense can improve in 2026). ## 2026 Outlook Dallas went 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs in Year 1 under Brian Schottenheimer, largely due to a historically bad defense that allowed 30.1 PPG (last in NFL). Schottenheimer, now relocating closer to the team facility to maximize his commitment, is betting the team can right the ship through defensive improvement. First-round pick Caleb Downs (safety, #11) and Rashan Gary trade target a major weakness. Offense remains elite: Dak Prescott (4,552 yards, #3 in NFL) and George Pickens (1,429 yards, #3, franchise-tagged at $27.3M) headlined a 5th-ranked scoring offense. FanDuel gives Dallas +200 odds to win the NFC East, behind Philadelphia's +140 (per Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer all-in for 2026). Success depends entirely on defensive transformation—if the unit improves to average or better, the Cowboys' firepower positions them as division contenders. Defensive approach emphasizes depth over star power: Rather than trading for a top pass rusher like Myles Garrett (who went to LA), DC Christian Parker (from Philadelphia Eagles) is building a multi-front attack with Rashan Gary (7.5 sacks in 2025), Donovan Ezeiruaku (43 pressures, 2 sacks as rookie), Malachi Lawrence (first-round tackle), and second-year development of other edge rushers. This strategy mirrors successful Seattle (Super Bowl XLIX with trio of seven-sack rushers) and Denver defenses under Parker's tenure. Cowboys also added pass-rush consultant B.T. Jordan from Denver. Interior linemen Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark should create favorable matchups for edge rushers. (per Lacking a star, Cowboys lean on depth for their pass rush) Dallas also viewed veteran free-agent edge rusher Haason Reddick (Tampa Bay 2025, Philadelphia 2022-2023 Pro Bowler) as a potential late-offseason depth add—a high-risk, high-reward veteran rotational piece that aligns with Schottenheimer's and Parker's strategy of building depth-based pressure rather than relying on a single star (per Former Fan Favorite Eagles Edge Named as Best Free Agent for Rival Cowboys). In the draft, Cowboys traded up to No. 20 to land Ohio State receiver Makai Lemon—a high-upside prospect the Eagles' scouting confirmed would not reach Dallas if passed. Coaching staff views fourth-round tackle Drew Shelton as ceiling-heavy prospect ("only so few humans can play tackle in the NFL"); despite day-2 emphasis, team prioritizes developmental arc over immediate depth. Team did not receive inquiry from Pittsburgh about pick 20, suggesting they got their target. (per 2026 NFL draft: Scouts, coaches, execs on 32 teams' classes) Defensive overhaul also included additional draft reinforcement with Malachi Lawrence (#23, tackle) and free-agent acquisitions Rashan Gary (DE trade), Jalen Thompson (S), P.J. Locke (S), and Cobie Durant (CB), alongside anchor kicker Brandon Aubrey's multi-year extension. (per 2026 Cowboys Offseason Calendar: OTAs, Minicamp, Preseason) Parker's scheme hinges on disguising coverages and using zone-heavy calls to mask defensive intentions; coverage rules rotate safeties from depth and emphasize pre-snap deception to create uncertainty for opposing QBs. With cornerback depth issues (DaRon Bland allows explosives; Cobie Durant was cut by LA after playoff exposure), the Cowboys will rely on three-safety/nickel-heavy packages where Caleb Downs slides into the slot to play safety—acting as a physical third linebacker against the run while providing cover-2 poach abilities in the secondary. This scheme requires a versatile safety who can cover elite slot receivers like Ladd McConkey in tight space; Downs' college film and early OTA performance suggest he can meet that demand. Run defense improves via gap-and-half technique (controlled gaps) rather than the gap-shooting style Eberflus favored, necessitating the trade of Osa Odighizuwa and the additions of Quinnen Williams and Rashan Gary to set the edge from light boxes. (per Inside the Cowboys' massive defensive overhaul after the Micah Parsons trade) **June 30 update:** Christian Parker's first year as defensive coordinator is part of an ambitious head-coaching arc. At 34, Parker has solid secondary experience with Philadelphia and Denver, molding elite defensive backs like Pat Surtain II, Cooper DeJean, and Quinyon Mitchell. If the Cowboys' defense inches toward top-10 territory in 2026 (a significant improvement from 32nd), Parker could be poised for a head-coaching opportunity by 2027. His coaching trajectory suggests that if the defensive overhaul succeeds, a HC job could materialize sooner rather than later (per 15 head-coaching candidates entering the 2026 NFL season - PFF). **July 8 update — Offensive infrastructure rank:** CBS Sports ranked the Cowboys 4th among all 32 NFL teams in offensive infrastructure (score: 4.40), placing them in Tier 1 ("Best Ecosystems"). The rankings excluded the QB and measured how well teams have set up their quarterback for success across play-calling (Schottenheimer rated above-average), offensive line, pass catchers (CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens rated as an excellent duo), and running backs. The Cowboys' slight advantage on the offensive line over Detroit is offset by the Lions' stronger running back depth (per 2026 NFL offensive infrastructure rankings: Which teams have best set up their quarterback for success?). Offensive line coach Christian Adams also earned recognition for his contributions to the Cowboys' run game success; Adams helped propel Dallas' rushing attack to top-10 EPA per play in 2025 after ranking 20th or worse the prior year, largely through Javonte Williams' career-high 81.7 PFF rushing grade under Adams' inside-zone and counter-heavy scheme (per 15 head-coaching candidates entering the 2026 NFL season - PFF). **July 12 update — Head coach aspirations:** Entering Year 2, HC Brian Schottenheimer is openly ambitious about winning a Super Bowl, motivated by both his desire to win for his players and to fulfill a family legacy—his father Marty Schottenheimer was regarded as one of the greatest NFL coaches never to reach a Super Bowl. With the 2027 Super Bowl scheduled for February 14, Schottenheimer stated the Cowboys "plan on being there," signaling high expectations for the 2026 season. (per Brian Schottenheimer wants to win Super Bowl for Cowboys players) Free-agency overhaul is hampered by the league's worst cap deficit (-$63.6M), forcing Dallas to use the draft as the primary rebuild tool. Edge rusher position is heavily depleted: four of their top pass rushers—Sam Williams, Jadeveon Clowney, Payton Turner, and Dante Fowler Jr.—hit the 2026 free-agent market. The pass-rush depth strategy under Parker becomes essential given the inability to retain these veteran defenders. Cornerback and safety depth also suffered free-agent departures, requiring younger prospects and converted players to fill holes. (per 2026 NFL free agency primer: Start date, time, projected free agents, top needs, cap space for all 32 teams - CBS Sports) **2025 draft class development:** Second-year improvement potential is substantial across Dallas' 2025 draft class. OG Tyler Booker ranked top-half among all rookie guards in PFF metrics and shows a complete grasp of Schottenheimer's playbook entering Year 2. DE Donovan Ezeiruaku transitioned to OLB under Parker but must develop his pass rush (2 sacks, 36 pressures as rookie, led rookie edge rushers in defensive stops). CB Shavon Revel had a slow start in zone coverage but projects as shutdown cornerback in man coverage with his 6-2 frame — key if health holds after full offseason recovery from college ACL injury. RB Jaydon Blue showed offseason professionalism improvements and could emerge as explosive complement to Javonte Williams. RB Phil Mafah impressed in preseason and offers tough, balanced option if needed. (per Second-year jump? These Dallas Cowboys have a chance to make waves in 2026 season) ## Players (Fantasy-Relevant) - **QB:** Dak Prescott (PPR #86), Sam Howell (PPR #NR), Joe Milton (PPR #NR) - **RB:** Javonte Williams (PPR #49), Israel Abanikanda (PPR #NR), Phil Mafah (PPR #NR), Jaydon Blue (PPR #NR) - **WR:** CeeDee Lamb (PPR #7), George Pickens (PPR #16), Ryan Flournoy (PPR #200), Jonathan Mingo (PPR #NR), Kavontae Turpin (PPR #NR), Anthony Smith (PPR #NR) - **TE:** Jake Ferguson (PPR #104), Michael Trigg (PPR #NR) - **K:** Brandon Aubrey (PPR #NR) ## Coaches - Head coach: Brian Schottenheimer (Brian Schottenheimer — Dallas Cowboys Head Coach) - Offensive coordinator: Klayton Adams (Klayton Adams — Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator) - Defensive coordinator: Christian Parker (Christian Parker — Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator) ## Recent News - 2026-03-24 — Cowboys depth chart: Updated look at defensive starters for 2026 - Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys depth chart: Updated look at defensive starters for 2026 - Dallas Cowboys) - 2026-04-27 — Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft winners and losers: New DC Christian Parker, WR George Pickens... (Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft winners and losers: New DC Christian Parker, WR George Pickens...) - 2026-07-02 — NFL Trade Rumors: Maxx Crosby to Cowboys, 49ers, or Patriots? (NFL Trade Rumors: Maxx Crosby to Cowboys, 49ers, or Patriots?) - 2026-06-23 — NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys' $6 Million WR linked to Kansas City Chiefs in... (NFL Trade Rumors: Dallas Cowboys' $6 Million WR linked to Kansas City Chiefs in...) - 2026-03-05 — Dak Prescott's demanding message to George Pickens will force him to have his best... (Dak Prescott's demanding message to George Pickens will force him to have his best...) - 2026-02-25 — There's a huge reason to believe George Pickens would miss Dallas Cowboys training... (There's a huge reason to believe George Pickens would miss Dallas Cowboys training...) - 2026-07-12 — Brian Schottenheimer wants to win Super Bowl for Cowboys players – and get 'extra'... (Brian Schottenheimer wants to win Super Bowl for Cowboys players – and get 'extra'...) - 2026-07-12 — Brian Schotteneheimer wants to win Super Bowl for Cowboys players – and get 'extra'... (Brian Schotteneheimer wants to win Super Bowl for Cowboys players – and get 'extra'...) - 2026-07-11 — Blockbuster Trades Dallas Cowboys Should Look to Make Before Week 1 of 2026 NFL Season (Blockbuster Trades Dallas Cowboys Should Look to Make Before Week 1 of 2026 NFL Season) - 2026-07-10 — Cowboys Get Good News on George Pickens Offseason (Cowboys Get Good News on George Pickens Offseason) ## Open Questions - Can Dak Prescott finally reach 5,000 passing yards with the Cowboys' increased pace of play and career-high 600+ attempts, or will game script and receiver availability prevent him from hitting this elusive milestone? **Source:** 10 predictions for 2026 NFL season: division winners, trades - ESPN **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-07-01 - Will the Cowboys actually trade George Pickens at the deadline if Ryan Flournoy breaks out, or will Dallas hold its WR1? **Source:** Early Bold Predictions for the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-06-18 - Will George Pickens sit out or force a trade over Dallas' refusal to offer long-term deal beyond his $27.3M franchise tag? **Source:** 100 days to the 2026 NFL season: Predictions, injuries, more **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-07-01 - Can the Cowboys' historically bad defense (30.1 PPG allowed in 2025) improve enough to support Dak Prescott and make the playoffs? **Source:** Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer all-in for 2026 **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-05-28 - Can Jake Ferguson's seam-route chemistry with Dak Prescott be unlocked for deeper average depth of target in Year 2 under Schottenheimer? **Source:** 5 ways the Cowboys' offense can improve in 2026 **Status:** open **Last touched:** 2026-05-27 --- Source: https://chatffb.com/teams/dallas-cowboys · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.