Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

DAL

Dallas Cowboys

NFL team. Team code: DAL.

Quick Facts

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.

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)

Players (Fantasy-Relevant)

Coaches

Team Defense as a Fantasy Unit

(filled in by ingest — how this team's defense projects as a fantasy DST unit for 2026)

Recent News

  • 2026-05-31 — 4 NFL post-June 1 trades to watch for (4 NFL post-June 1 trades to watch for)
  • 2026-05-16 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2026 Schedule: The Good, Bad, And Ugly (Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2026 Schedule: The Good, Bad, And Ugly)
  • 2026-05-28 — SI's 2026 Ranking of the NFL’s Coach-QB Duos (SI's 2026 Ranking of the NFL’s Coach-QB Duos)
  • 2026-05-15 — Los Angeles Rams 2026 schedule: Game-by-game breakdown and predictions (Los Angeles Rams 2026 schedule: Game-by-game breakdown and predictions)
  • 2026-05-14 — Los Angeles Rams 2026 schedule: Tough opening stretch highlights primetime-heavy slate... (Los Angeles Rams 2026 schedule: Tough opening stretch highlights primetime-heavy slate...)
  • 2026-05-30 — Eagles' second-year defender has no choice but to break out in 2026 (Eagles' second-year defender has no choice but to break out in 2026)
  • 2026-05-08 — Bucs Skipper Todd Bowles Placed on Chopping Block (Bucs Skipper Todd Bowles Placed on Chopping Block)
  • 2026-05-21 — 2026 NFL Preview: The 10 New Coordinators Who Could Shape Upcoming Season (2026 NFL Preview: The 10 New Coordinators Who Could Shape Upcoming Season)
  • 2026-05-29 — 2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Giants WR Carted Off At OTA's (2026 NFL Offseason Buzz: Giants WR Carted Off At OTA's)
  • 2026-05-31 — Trump gushes over Giants' Jaxson Dart, says he wondered if QB was a 'male model' (Trump gushes over Giants' Jaxson Dart, says he wondered if QB was a 'male model')

Open Questions

  • 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

Sources

(receipts — every claim above should link to a source here)