2026 Dallas Cowboys Team Preview
Brian Schottenheimer returns for a second season as the head coach
of the Dallas Cowboys. He’s been in their coaching system since 2022
(coaching analyst and offensive coordinator). The Cowboys regained
their edge on the offensive side of the ball by ranki ng 7th in points
scored (471) and leading the NFL in offensive yards (6,871).
Schottenheimer went 7-9-1 in his first year leading a pro franchise, with
his failure tied to massive regression on the defensive side of the ball
over the past two years. He’s been coaching in the NFL since 2001,
with 13 of those seasons working as an off ensive coordinator for the
Jets, Rams, Seahawks, and Cowboys.
Klayton Adams returns for a second season as the Cowboys’ offensive
coordinator, which was a step up from his previous coaching role
(offensive line) with the Arizona Cardinals over the previous two
seasons. He started his professional coaching career in 2 019 with the
Colts (assistant offensive line coach), leading to two seasons as their
tight ends coach.
After allowing 511 points (the most in the NFL), Dallas shifted to
Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator for 2026. At age 34, he’s
been coaching in the NFL for seven seasons with Green Bay (defensive
quality control coach), Denver (defensive back s coach), and
Philadelphia (passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach). His
new opportunity is a massive step up in job. The Cowboys’ defense
allowed 6,654 combined yards last year (third most in the league).
Offense
Dallas continues to be a pass-first offense, highlighted by them throwing
the ball 57.2% of the time last year and ranking third in the NFL in
passing attempts (624). They finished ninth in rushing yards (2,136)
while gaining 4.6 yards per carry, with 22 scores and 13 runs of 20 yards
or more. Dallas ran the ball 27.4 times a game.
The Cowboys led the NFL in passing yards (4,735), resulting in 31
touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Their offensive line gave up 31 sacks,
helping Dallas rank first with Seattle in completions of 40 yards or more
Teams RATT YDS Run% ATT YDS Pass% Plays Yards
Dallas C owboys 466 2136 0.428 624 4735 0.572 1090 6871
Offensive Run/Pass Splits
(12). They gained 7.6 yards per pass attempt, with a competitive
completion rate (67.2%).
Quarterbacks
WR George Pickens, DAL
George Pickens projects for 95 catches for 1394 yards and 9 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR CeeDee Lamb, DAL
CeeDee Lamb projects for 8 carries for 1248 yards and 0 TDs, plus 103 catches for 1248 yards and 9 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
QB Dak Prescott, DAL
Dak Prescott projects for 4476 passing yards, 31 passing TDs, and 11 INTs, with 188 rushing yards and 1 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Dallas Cowboys. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
RB Javonte Williams, DAL
Javonte Williams projects for 261 carries for 1123 yards and 9 TDs, plus 25 catches for 141 yards and 2 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Ryan Flournoy, DAL
Ryan Flournoy projects for 50 catches for 562 yards and 3 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
TE Jake Ferguson, DAL
Jake Ferguson projects for 71 catches for 0 yards and 6 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR KaVontae Turpin, DAL
KaVontae Turpin projects for 16 carries for 271 yards and 1 TDs, plus 20 catches for 271 yards and 1 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Jaydon Blue, DAL
Jaydon Blue projects for 65 carries for 287 yards and 2 TDs, plus 19 catches for 145 yards and 1 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Malik Davis, DAL
Malik Davis projects for 44 carries for 179 yards and 1 TDs, plus 3 catches for 25 yards and 0 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
TE Luke Schoonmaker, DAL
Luke Schoonmaker projects for 19 catches for 0 yards and 1 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, DAL
Marquez Valdes-Scantling projects for 6 catches for 75 yards and 0 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
QB Joe Milton, DAL
Joe Milton projects for 220 passing yards, 1 passing TDs, and 1 INTs, with 27 rushing yards and 0 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Dallas Cowboys. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
RB Phil Mafah, DAL
Phil Mafah projects for 13 carries for 50 yards and 0 TDs, plus 2 catches for 12 yards and 0 TDs in the Dallas Cowboys offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.