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In 2025, the Cowboys under new Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer had plenty of offense. But the defense was erratic and that led to an uneven season as they tried to move on from the Micah Parsons era. This off-season, the focus was squarely on the defense. Will it be enough for the Cowboys to move forward? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

The Cowboys lost only a handful of players. Role-player receiver Jalen Tolbert moved on to Miami. Meanwhile, the team lost a few veteran defensive players, including Jadaveon Clowney, Donte Fowler, Jr., and Payton Turner on the defensive line. That was part of an overhaul on that side of the ball that saw the team add veteran Von Miller and rookie Malachai Lawrence to improve the defensive front.

On the back end, the Cowboys made a point to improve the safety position. In free agency the team signed veteran P.J. Locke from the Denver Broncos. The team also used its First-Round draft pick on Caleb Downs. The Cowboys added a few other veterans, including receiver Marquis Valdez-Scantling and Tyler Johnson.

Fantasy Impact

Last year, Dak Prescott was solid at quarterback, finishing as QB5. The Cowboys’ offense is still talented, and I think Prescott is still a QB1 for fantasy. Javonte Williams answered a lot of questions in the Cowboys’ backfield last season, too. He finished as RB12, but I like him better as an RB2 this season.

In the passing game, CeeDee Lamb is back and healthy, so, too is George Pickens. Pickens is on the Franchise Tag, but I think he’ll be motivated to show what he can do. Both have WR1 upside, but I like Lamb as a WR1 and Pickens as a high-end WR2. Jake Ferguson is solid at tight end. He should be regarded as a low-end TE1.

Prediction

The Cowboys have enough offense, but do they have defense. And can they finish games. Those are big questions. I think they are sleepers in the NFC East that could be in the playoff discussion.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.