ESPN's Todd Archer writes that there will be a battle for the No. 2 running back role in training camp this summer behind starter Javonte Williams that will consist of Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, and Malik Davis. Davis won the job a year ago and had a 100-yard game, but he "seems to be something of a forgotten man entering camp." The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of the University of Florida had 52 carries for 250 yards and two touchdowns in his third NFL season in 2025, adding two receptions for 16 yards for the Cowboys. It sounds as though Davis is going to need to step up in camp to hold off both Blue and Mafah. Blue didn't live up to expectations in his rookie campaign, but he has impressed the coaching staff this offseason and can be a difference-maker with his speed. Mafah, a seventh-rounder last year, could also be a dependable depth back. Davis averaged a healthy 4.8 yards in 2025, but he doesn't have any standout traits in the backfield and isn't much of a pass-catcher. Don't automatically assume that he's the handcuff to roster in 2026 if you take Williams
Hello football friends, and welcome to the Monday edition of the Pick Six newsletter! After spending the past week on vacation, I'm back. And it's just in time, because the NFL is also back. Starting this week, the NFL is going into full training camp mode. Although we saw several teams have their rookies report to camp last week, the real stuff starts this week. Six teams will have their full roster in camp by the end of the week: the Cardinals (July 22), Panthers (July 22), Patriots (July 24), Seahawks (July 24), 49ers (July 25) and Rams (July 25). The 26 other teams report on July 28, so get ready for total chaos next Monday. Speaking of chaos, let's get to today's newsletter. As always, here's your reminder to tell your friends to sign up for the newsletter . Let's get to the rundown. Over the past month, we've ranked the top quarterbacks and the top duos in the NFL, and now we're going to take those two things one step farther by ranking the top offensive triplets. When you think of triplets in the NFL, the most famous trio was probably Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, who won three Super Bowls together with the Cowboys in the 1990s. Jerry Jones might not know how to build a Super Bowl-winning team anymore, but he does know how to find a set of triplets. Our triplet ranking consists of one quarterback, one running back and a pass-catcher from each team, and the Cowboys ranked in the top five on our list. So who has the best set of triplets in the NFL this year? Let's find out. 1. Bengals (QB Joe Burrow , RB Chase Brown , WR Ja'Marr Chase ) 2. Rams (QB Matthew Stafford , RB Kyren Williams , WR Puka Nacua ) 3. Lions (QB Jared Goff , RB Jahmyr Gibbs , WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ) 4. Ravens (QB Lamar Jackson , RB Derrick Henry , WR Zay Flowers ) 5. Cowboys (QB Dak Prescott , RB Javonte Williams , WR CeeDee Lamb ) Six NFL writers here at CBS Sports voted, and we ranked all 32 teams. If you want to see the breakdown of the vote or find out why the Bengals ended up on top, be sure to check out Jared Dubin's full story here . After an offseason of waiting, the NFL fun finally starts this week with several teams reporting to training camp. With camp getting underway, we thought now would be a good time to break down one key storyline for each team. Let's check out a few of the storylines (via Zach Pereles): If you want to know when your favorite team reports to training camp and see all 32 storylines to watch, we've got everything here . The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and if you don't have a good QB room, there's a good chance you're going to struggle. Jordan Dajani ranked the five worst QB situations in the NFL this year, and if your favorite team is on this list, I think it's safe to say you can probably go ahead and assume they're NOT going to win the Super Bowl . This ranking didn't just take into account each team's starter; it took into account every QB on the roster. So who has the worst QB room in the league? Let's find out. (And remember, being ranked at the top of this list isn't a good thing. That means you have the worst QB room.) 1. Browns ( Deshaun Watson , Shedeur Sanders , Dillon Gabriel , Taylen Green ). The Browns have owned the weirdest quarterback room in the NFL for years now. Deshaun Watson is still on the roster thanks to that five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed deal he signed in 2022. He owns the worst completion percentage, yards per attempt and TD-INT ratio in the NFL in the five years since one of the worst trades of all time. To make matters worse, Watson hasn't seen any NFL action since October 2024 after tearing the same Achilles twice. Will he be able to win the competition he's favored in? 2. Jets ( Geno Smith , Cade Klubnik , Bailey Zappe , Brady Cook ). Geno Smith is back in New York, and he actually became the first quarterback to return to his original draft team via trade since Fran Tarkenton in 1972, according to CBS Sports Research. However, Smith went fr
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It is a heavy time for rankings throughout the NFL. This is the case thanks to the worldwide leader. ESPN has been slow-playing their release of rankings of various position groups, an exercise they have been doing for a couple of years now (basically the new-look version of the old-school NFL Top 100). For context it should be understood that ESPN assembles these rankings based on their sourcing of executives, coaches, and scouts throughout the league, so the thought is that these rankings are built by people who know the current game the best. Most notably the Cowboys have seen Tyler Smith rank atop all interior linemen and both Dak Prescot t and Quinnen Williams come in at number 6 in their respective positions. Players like Javonte Williams , Jake Ferguson , Tyler Booker (among the interior linemen that Tyler Smith topped obviously), and DaRon Bland pick up honorable mentions. You can officially count DeMarvion Overshown among that honorable mention crew at off-ball linebacker . DeMarvion Overshown, Dallas Cowboys : “He moves like a safety. Incredibly talented. I want to see how he does this year after the injuries.” — NFC scout Obviously Overshown played safety early in his collegiate career at the University of Texas, so that he “moves like” one makes sense. There is zero question that Overshown has flashed serious potential to date at this point in his career. The issue with him has unfortunately been one of injuries as he has had a difficult time staying on the field. ESPN also listed Overshown as someone who could be a breakout player in 2026, and given that he has done so before they even termed it as a potential “ re-breakout .” Him reaching the heights that we have seen in the past would go a long way towards returning this defense to a respectable form. Here are the top 10 off-ball linebackers from the ranking, if you are curious: Fred Warner , 49ers Roquan Smith , Ravens Carson Schwesinger , Browns Zack Baun , Eagles Jack Campbell , Lions Azeez Al-Shaair , Texans Jordyn Brooks , Dolphins Nick Bolton , Chiefs Edgerrin Cooper , Packers Devin Lloyd , Panthers New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker was around the Eagles obviously, and so perhaps he has a vision for building his own version of what Zack Baun offers to Philadelphia . Along those lines, the Cowboys were connected at points this offseason to trade rumors involving both Azeez Al-Shaair and Jordyn Brooks. It seems obvious that they understand they have to improve at this spot. Hopefully DeMarvion Overshown can be the answer. Do you think he can/will?
The Dallas Cowboys might actually have a good season this year. That’s not a crazy thought. How good they will be is anyone’s guess, but would it be absolutely insane to have Super Bowl aspirations? Consider this: the Seattle Seahawks ranked 20th in championship odds last year. We know how that story unfolded. The Cowboys currently sit with the 15th-best odds for the 2026 season. Is a title run unlikely? Yes. Is it impossible? Not at all. Since winning it all is the ultimate goal, let’s splash around in this hypothetical. Let’s assume the stars aligned, February arrived, and we are actively rejoicing as our beloved team has finally returned to glory. If such a beautiful thing were to happen, how would we explain the way it all went down? Let’s reverse engineer this joyous season and predict exactly how things fell into place. This scenario is easy to imagine because we have already seen Dak Prescott string together fringe MVP seasons. When he is on, he is one of the best in the game. Since the offense returns its core cast intact, Brian Schottenheimer and Klayton Adams just need to scheme up plays that keep defenses guessing while keeping things simple for Dak and company. They certainly have the weapons to do it. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens remain a terrifying duo, and the team retained its physical running game led by Javonte Williams . A potent offense is not just believable; it is the expected result. All eyes will be on the bright young mind of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Is he the chosen one who will bring balance to the Force? Many will argue he does not need to recreate the dramatic 2021 single-season defensive turnaround, but rather just field a middle-of-the-pack unit. That is a reasonable bar, but what if he is a smidge better than that? What if he delivers on his promise to confuse opposing offenses, resulting in timely stops and a heap of takeaways? Sneaking just inside the top ten on defense would easily open the door for a deep playoff run. Let’s be honest. If the defense does not produce at least one breakout star, the season will feel pretty disappointing. The roster has plenty of wildcards who could change the outlook of the team in a hurry. Maybe a young edge rusher like Donovan Ezeiruaku or Malachi Lawrence steps up. Perhaps one of the new safeties like Caleb Downs or Jalen Thompson takes over, or maybe we get a healthy, star-talent season from young hopefuls like DeMarvion Overshown or Shavon Revel Jr. That only scratches the surface. If we are talking about a sizeable jump in performance, Dallas will need a few different guys to stand out. It is not too difficult to fathom. If the team churned out three All-Pros from a group featuring Quinnen Williams , Caleb Downs, and DeMarvion Overshown, would you be flabbergasted? I wouldn’t. If we told you that Lamb and Pickens would flirt with a combined 3,000 receiving yards, that wouldn’t be a hard sell. Those guys being great is not news, and we are absolutely counting on big things from them. However, the offense still needs another explosive playmaker to emerge from the shadows. Everyone is already penciling in wide receiver Ryan Flournoy for a breakout season since he has Dak’s trust and faces endless single coverage. What about Jaydon Blue ? He has the home-run speed to add instant acceleration if he can just figure things out. This surprise contributor could come from anywhere. Maybe the gadgety KaVontae Turpin finally maxes out his terrifying speed, or perhaps veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling brings a historic deep threat to the offense. Even rookie receiver Anthony Smith could flash his vertical skills. Dallas has plenty of under-the-radar candidates ready to add excitement to a powerful offense. For good teams to have great seasons, they need a little help from the football gods. That means good fortune in the health department, but it also means having the ball bounce their way more often than not. They say great teams make the
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ESPN's ranking of tight ends, based on input from league executives, coaches, and scouts, placed Jake Ferguson as an honorable mention outside the top 10. While praised for his all-around solid play and high catch volume, Ferguson's fumbling issues were cited as a significant reason for his ranking. All seven of his career fumbles have occurred in the last two seasons and were against NFC opponents
The Dallas Cowboys pretty much wiped the slate clean on the defensive side of the ball after the completion of the 2025 season, bringing in an entirely new coaching staff as well as many new faces, but are running it back with the same offensive unit in 2026. This was an offense that was one of the best last season and has a chance to be even better this year. Returning all of their starters from a season ago means Dallas’ offense should pick up where they left off last year. But, they shouldn’t be complacent with the past success they had. They should want to improve upon the production they had last season and to do that they will need several players to step up their game. Below are the ones that need to improve the most. Guyton, the 29 th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has struggled with both consistency and injuries in his first two seasons with the Cowboys. Because of that, the starting left tackle job is currently up for grabs heading into training camp. Guyton and Nate Thomas are reportedly in a head-to-head battle to earn the starting LT job, with No. 60 being the favored option. One of the two needs to step up, otherwise All-Pro LG Tyler Smith would have to kick back outside, further weakening the interior of Dallas’ OL. Other than re-signing Javonte Williams to return as their RB1, the Cowboys surprisingly didn’t do much of anything to upgrade the running back position. As things stand right now, Jaydon Blue is the favored option to back up Williams this year. He’s a perfect complementary back to do his home run ability as a runner or receiver out of the backfield. But, he only appeared in five games last season, falling well below expectations. He needs to make a significant second-year jump to earn the RB2 job though, otherwise Dallas may need to look elsewhere. For someone who’s never played the center position in his entire life, Cooper Beebe has done an admirable job starting in the middle of the Cowboys OL the past two seasons. He’s continued to improve each year, but entering Year 3 more is needed from him. Beebe has the talent/skill set to potentially be a first-time Pro Bowl player this year, but only if he continues to develop his game. There’s still room for him to improve as a run blocker and even more so in pass protection. The interior of the OL could be dangerous if he ups his game. Despite playing less offensive snaps then former second-round pick Luke Schoonmaker last year, Brevyn Spann-Ford outplayed him and moved up to the TE2 spot behind starter Jake Ferguson last year. A former undrafted free agent, Spann-Ford has continued to get better in each of his first two seasons with the Cowboys and could be more heavily involved in 2026 if Dallas does indeed use more two TE sets as rumored. Where Spann-Ford really needs to up his game the most is to become a more reliable/consistent in the receiving game. Milton was Dak Prescott ’s primary backup a season ago, appearing in only four total games. The Cowboys brought in veteran Sam Howell to compete with him this year and they are both supposedly in a head-to-head battle to earn the QB2 job. Of the two, Milton possesses the most talent/upside due to his God-given arm strength and athleticism. Despite his immense upside though, he has thus far lacked the consistency needed to lockdown the QB2 job. With better accuracy/touch throwing the ball, he could become the backup behind Prescott
Chase Brown had a slow start to last year, largely due to the Joe Burrow injury that resulted in Jake Browning getting four starts. The running back averaged just 2.46 yards per carry through Week 5, but then turned it around and averaged 5.14 yards per carry after Joe Flacco took over for Browning and then Burrow returned to the field. Still, that slow start has the quick running back’s stock dropping to the point that coaches, scouts, and executives do not consider him to be among the top ten backs in the NFL, according to a survey conducted by ESPN . In his article on the survey, Jeremy Fowler shared the list of top-10 running backs and explained how it came together: Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions. Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed contributed to placements. Here’s the list: Bijan Robinson , Atlanta Falcons Jahmyr Gibbs , Detroit Lions Saquon Barkley , Philadelphia Eagles Christian McCaffrey , San Francisco 49ers Jonathan Taylor , Indianapolis Colts Derrick Henry , Baltimore Ravens James Cook III , Buffalo Bills De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs Breece Hall , New York Jets It’s easy to see why Brown would be left out of the top seven. And Walker is coming off a Super Bowl MVP performance. But Brown could arguably be better than Hall. Now here’s the interesting part: Brown wasn’t even included among the honorable mentions, who were Josh Jacobs ( Green Bay Packers ), Kyren Williams ( Los Angeles Rams ), and Quinshon Judkins ( Cleveland Browns ). Brown was, however, mentioned among those who also received votes, along with D’Andre Swift, Javonte Williams , Ashton Jeanty , TreVeyon Henderson , Travis Etienne Jr. , and Alvin Kamara
ESPN has started releasing their Top 10 position lists for the 2026 NFL season, and started with running backs . In what should be no surprise, Eagles RB Saquon Barkley lands on the list at No. 3 overall, down from No. 1 last offseason. Jeremy Fowler makes it clear in the article that the rankings are not a future projection, or a career-inclusive award, but rather best tried to answer who the best running back in the league is right now . Despite a drop in production in 2025, the coaches, scouts, and team personnel around the league didn’t penalize Barkley for his performance that followed a 2,000-yard season when it came to voting. “I’m not going to penalize him for a terrible all-around offense last year,” a high-ranking personnel official with an NFL team said, according to ESPN . “He’s still a three-down weapon and if I needed a running back for one season I’m still taking him 1.” One NFL coordinator explained that his only criticism of Barkley is that he doesn’t always produce when everything isn’t set up perfectly, with the RB needing lanes to be completely clean — something the coordinator said dates back to Barkley’s time with the Giants. We got to see a taste of that last season with the offensive line struggled and he tried to stretch the field with fancy footwork instead of a bull-like approach. Still, no one is questioning Barkley’s ability to be a game-changer, and hopefully with changes to the offensive scheme and coaching staff, things will be more cohesive for everyone in 2026. Full Top 10 RB list: Bijan Robinson Jahmyr Gibbs Saquon Barkley Christian McCaffrey Jonathan Taylor Derrick Henry James Cook III De’Von Achane Kenneth Walker III Breece Hall Three players received honorable mention — Josh Jacobs , Kyren Williams , Quinshon Judkins — and several other players received votes, including: D’Andre Swift, Javonte Williams , Chase Brown , Ashton Jeanty , TreVeyon Henderson , Travis Etienne Jr. , Alvin Kamara
Not every position battle is created equal. Some determine depth, while others could shape the Cowboys’ ceiling in 2026. Let’s analyze some of the position battles that could determine the Cowboys’ fate this season. We know Brian Schottenheimer has declared left tackle an open competition, but it’s hard to believe he isn’t using a motivational technique on Tyler Guyton , so we’re skipping it here. This is the only offensive group on this list, and it’s on here because of the question marks behind Javonte Williams . Williams accounted for 52% of the Cowboys’ rushing attempts last season, 56% of rushing yards and 61% of the Cowboys’ rushing TDs. The term bell-cow is used a lot, but there is no denying how important Williams is not only to the run game, but to the entire offense. The next rusher in 2025 after Williams was Malik Davis , and although he has proven to be a serviceable back, the dropoff in stats is immense. Davis gained 250 yards on 52 carries and scored two touchdowns last season, a 951-yard difference in yards gained and a difference of over 200 attempts. Williams is not going to get 300 carries. Another one of these backs needs to emerge like Davis, Jaydon Blue or Phil Mafah , to not just spell Williams, but bring a different dimension to the run game that complements him. Both the floor and the ceiling for this offense, that was already an exceptional unit in 2025, will be taken to new heights if they get an explosive RB2. It is no secret how bad Dallas’ defense was last year. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus paid for it with his job. Linebacker was one of those positions that was constantly getting exposed. Perpetual missed gap assignments and a lack of speed and athleticism exposed this corps. They were among the reasons Cowboys fans were despondent of the defensive performance in 2025. Now the energy has shifted. Christian Parker’s move to a base 3-4 has insulated the interior linebacker position and afforded the would-be starters, DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters , the opportunity to shine. Outside of those two, the position will be defined by depth. Solid depth will allow Overshown and Winters to stay fresh when they need a spell, without having a huge drop-off. There is also the specter of Overshown’s injuries which means someone needs to be ready to step in. This will all depend on whether the second and third unit can develop. As it stands, Jaishawn Barham , Justin Barron , Shemar James , Curtis Robinson and Langston Patterson are penciled in as the backups behind Winters and Overshown. It’s a safe assumption Barham will be playing all over the line of scrimmage and the second level; his ceiling is high, but he still might be a project. Can Barham and James make enough noise to solidify their standing on the roster? If that happens, the second level that saw so much turbulence last year could finally gel and get the Cowboys the stops they couldn’t last season. Another maligned position group in what was a terrible defense, the cornerback battle will be a contest where multiple positions are up for grabs. The projected starters are DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant. Durant will be trying to establish himself in Dallas as a first-year Cowboy; Bland is trying to bounce back from another injury-riddled season. The Cowboys’ secondary allowed the second-worst defensive passer rating last season, as opposing QBs averaged 109.6; only the Jets were worse, averaging 110. The Cowboys will look to make something out of a healthy mix of veterans like Bland and Durant, along with youngsters like Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson , and Devin Moore. The key here for the cornerbacks is simply improving on what was bottom-of-the-barrel defense from a year ago. With reinforcements along the front seven and help on the back end with Caleb Downs , who will be seeing a ton of action at the nickelback position, this proposition isn’t far-fetched. The corners will be pushed by facing a great Cowboys receiving corps in pr
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Cobie Durant, acquired by the Cowboys on a one-year, $4 million deal, is expected to significantly bolster the team's struggling defense, particularly at the slot corner position vacated by Jourdan Lewis. Durant, a former Rams' fourth-round pick, brings experience and playmaking ability, having recorded three interceptions in last year's playoffs for Los Angeles. His versatility to play both inside and outside, along with his ball-hawking skills, makes him a valuable addition for Dallas
Dallas Cowboys training camp is just under a month away, and players will soon report to Oxnard, Calif., to begin their 2026 camp/preseason. That will be a major step on the long journey toward the season, the playoffs and, hopefully in the Cowboys’ case, the Super Bowl. Today we’ll analyze a couple of players, one on each side of the ball, that could surprise in training camp. The running back room beyond Javonte Williams is not settled. The second RB spot is up for grabs, and Phil Mafah could be somebody who breaks through this training camp and separates himself as the best back behind Williams. The second-year pro, who dealt with a nagging shoulder injury much of last season, is healthy and looking to make a sophomore jump. Mafah has the frame, at 6’0” 234 lbs., and running style, downhill and physical, that sets him apart from the rest of the backs on the roster. He could find a niche on this team moving the pile and in short-yardage situations, which is where he scored his first touchdown last season against the Giants, Week 18. But that niche could just be the beginning for Mafah, as he continues to build on an offseason in which he’s put in extra work and stood out at OTAs. He has at least one believer in Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Phil Mafah looked good with his first-team reps, grabbing a touchdown in red zone work,” Harris reported for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “Mafah has specifically drawn a lot of praise for his work this offseason, with one source saying he is ‘night-and-day’ different from last year.” For Winters, the story isn’t so much whether he can nab one of the starting ILB spots – he’s basically a shoo-in for that – it’s whether or not he can finally shine and give us more of what he did last year which included a 74-yard interception to the house. The soon-to-be fourth-year pro is looking to break out in a big way. Winters has amassed 155 total tackles over the three previous seasons he spent with the San Francisco 49ers , solid numbers at this point in his career. Obviously, the touchdown alluded to earlier displayed his athleticism, which Dallas could always use more of, and our very own Dan Rogers reported that Winters was the only LB last season, of 80 LBs that made an interception, to eclipse 20mph after the interception. It’s that athleticism and versatility that may have some fans thinking of peak Rolando McClain , who could cover ground, make plays on the ball, and help lead a defensive unit aching to grow. The stars don’t need to align for this to happen; Winters seems primed for a breakout season, and camp should put everybody that hasn’t noticed the potential on alert. Who is you breakout player for the 2026 season?
After running back Javonte Williams went to Dallas on a one-year, $3.5 million contract last year, he gave the Cowboys more than their money’s worth, having the best season of his career with 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. That earned him a more lucrative contract, but Williams doesn’t think he’s arrived yet. Williams said the three-year, $24 million contract he signed this offseason to remain in Dallas was gratifying, but it also motivated him even more to reward the Cowboys for their faith in him. “It felt good,” Williams said, via the Dallas Morning News , “just knowing all my hard work paid off and I got a little bit of security. But I’ve still got a lot more to prove. I at least want to go to the Pro Bowl and definitely want to get to a Super Bowl with the team. Just working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself. That’s all I’m worried about.” After more than doubling his annual salary, Williams is going to need some very big years in Dallas to prove he’s worth the salary cap space the Cowboys will be devoting to him
After running back Javonte Williams went to Dallas on a one-year, $3.5 million contract last year, he gave the Cowboys more than their money's worth, having the best season of his career with 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. That earned him a more lucrative contract, but Williams doesn't think he's arrived yet. Williams said the three-year, $24 million contract he signed this offseason to remain in Dallas was gratifying, but it also motivated him even more to reward the Cowboys for their faith in him. "It felt good," Williams said, via the Dallas Morning News , "just knowing all my hard work paid off and I got a little bit of security. But I've still got a lot more to prove. I at least want to go to the Pro Bowl and definitely want to get to a Super Bowl with the team. Just working hard, grinding, and trying to be a better version of myself. That's all I'm worried about." After more than doubling his annual salary, Williams is going to need some very big years in Dallas to prove he's worth the salary cap space the Cowboys will be devoting to him
Running back Jaydon Blue had a hard time getting on the field during his rookie season with the Cowboys. Blue did not make his regular season debut until Week 5 and only appeared in five games over the course of the season. He finished the year with 38 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown after being drafted in the fifth round out of Texas. Blue’s work habits were questioned last summer and he suggested that he’s learned from that experience while discussing his preparation for Year 2 earlier this month. “I didn’t start off like I should have,” Blue said, via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. “Maybe if it was not practicing the right way or just on a maturity level, I think I wasn’t really there. But just learning from all the vets, having the offseason that I’ve had, I think I’m ready to go. Just looking back on the things I didn’t do too well and some of the reasons I wasn’t on the field last year, taking the stuff my coaches were saying and making sure I apply them, whether that’s this offseason or when I’m by myself.” Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he was “very honest” with Blue about why he was inactive so often last season and that the running back “came back with a different look” this spring. That should help his bid to earn more time behind Javonte Williams, but there will be more work to do on that front when the Cowboys kick off camp this summer
The 2025 Cowboys were a fantasy football force. Dak Prescott finished as QB6 in a bounceback season, George Pickens was the PPR WR5 in his first year with the team. CeeDee Lamb was PPR WR22 despite missing much of the season. Scrap heap pickup Javonte Williams was RB12. Jake Ferguson was PPR TE5 despite not doing much of anything over the last few months of the season. What has changed this year? Not much. What is coming for them as a main enemy? Regression. Points per game: 27.7 (7th) Total yards per game : 391.9 (2nd) Plays per game: 65.9 (4th) Dropbacks per game: 43.6 (2nd) Dropback EPA per play: 0.18 (5th) Designed rush attempts per game: 26.3 (14th) Rush EPA per play : -0.01 (8th) The Cowboys in 2025 rolled out this in their first game of the season: head coach Brian Schottenheimer , offensive coordinator Klayton Adams , Prescott, Williams, Lamb, Pickens, Ferguson, and an offensive line of Tyler Guyton , Tyler Smith , Cooper Beebe , Tyler Booker , and Terence Steele . There isn't a single projected change in the starting lineup from last year — though Nate Thomas may push Guyton for a starting role at left tackle as Guyton appears to have earned some skepticism from the coaching staff after two injury-plagued opening years in the NFL. The Cowboys spent zero draft picks on the offense in the first two days and other than Marquez Valdes-Scantling haven't added anyone in free agency who seems like a real lock to fight for a roster spot. We do have a recent comparison here, but it's not a pretty one: The Atlanta Falcons did this from 2024 to 2025. They fell from 13th in points scored (22.9 per game) in 2024 to 24th (20.8) in 2025. Granted, they did lose offensive linemen Kaleb McGary to injury and Drew Dalman in free agency — the Cowboys suffered no such real losses. The Cowboys should do a better job at handling regression as a fantasy offense than the Falcons did last year, but that doesn't mean it will be a pure runback. QB: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton/Sam Howell WR: CeeDee Lamb, Jonathan Mingo WR: George Pickens, Marquez Valdes-Scantling WR: Ryan Flournoy , KaVontae Turpin TE: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker So, here's the thing: The Cowboys probably won't drop back to throw 43.6 times this year. That was a function of having one of the worst defenses in modern NFL history in 2025. The Cowboys threw on 52.2 percent of neutral situation (20-80 percent win expectancy) downs last year, a number that puts them smack dab in the middle of the NFL at 16th place. I do think there's a chance that number is overemphasized, as the Cowboys simply knew they wouldn't have many of those downs to begin with given how their defense lives. But I'd be lying to you if I said I thought Prescott was dropping back 600 times again in 2026. The defense may not be good in 2026, but they will be hard pressed to replicate last year's terrible showing. The thing is, that's already priced in on him. Prescott is now part of the boring quarterback tier — he doesn't run and he's old — and so he's QB8 and coming off the board well after the top six in most cases with an ADP of around 80-90. I happen to think some of the quarterbacks in that range have more upside than Prescott if everything goes right for them, and so I don't find myself clicking on him often, but I definitely think he's got the elements for a top-10 finish at the position again in 2026. The other easy thing to peg this year is Ferguson — he's a lower-end TE1 by ADP and also someone who produced almost nothing when Lamb was on the field and healthy. From Weeks 3-7, Ferguson scored six touchdowns and received 40 of his 102 targets. In the last 10 games of the season he averaged 4.4 targets per game. He's a worthwhile TE1 play in a good matchup but I'm not rushing out to invest in Ferguson stocks without injuries ahead of him in the passing game pecking order. How the Lamb/Pickens question will unfold is one of the key questions of the fantasy football season. Pickens paradoxi
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The Cowboys are looking to add depth to their roster after minicamp, with a focus on edge rusher and running back positions. Potential additions include veterans like Jadeveon Clowney, and they are also evaluating free agents like Austin Ekeler
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.
