2025 Fantasy Football: Dallas Cowboys Preview

Brian Schottenheimer replaced Mike McCarthy as head coach for the 2025 season after serving as the offensive coordinator from 2023-2024. When Dak Prescott was healthy for Schottenheimer as the OC in 2023, Prescott threw for 4,500+ yards 36 TDs / 9 INTs.

Hiring a former NFL head coach as the defensive coordinator in Matt Eberflus will allow Schottenheimer a little relief in running a team for the first time as he can focus more on the offense specifically instead of being completely hands-on in all aspects.

QB: Dak Prescott

Since 2019, Prescott has started 16+ games every other season and thrived in those seasons of ‘19 (30 TDs / 11 INTs), ‘21 (37 / 10) and ‘23 (36 / 9). Unfortunately, even years have been a struggle, missing 11 (2020), 5 (2022) and 9 games (2024) with 43 total passing TDs and 27 INTs over those 3 years combined.

Prescott hasn’t had a #2 wide receiver with more than 55 receptions / 700 receiving yards since 2021 when he had Amari Cooper to complement CeeDee Lamb. The addition of George Pickens to Lamb should change that.

RB: Javonte Williams

Dallas continues to puzzle with their backfield decisions. Opting to bring in two veteran backs that haven’t surpassed 3.7 ypc in a season since 2022 to compete with 2 day-three draft selections. On a positive note, WIlliams has recorded 40+ receptions in 3 of his 4 NFL seasons.

RB: Miles Sanders

In Sanders rookie season (2019) he rushed for 800+ yards with 500+ receiving yards on 50 receptions. He averaged 5.0 ypc over his first 4 NFL seasons, including a monster 2022 in which he ran for over 1,200 yards with 11 TDs. Since 2022 he hasn’t had a game with more than 75 rushing yards as he’s averaged 3.5 yards per carry over the last 2 years on 184 rushes.

RB: Jaydon Blue

Blue is a smaller, slasher back that is looking to gash defenses. When he’s able to sink into his acceleration he’s explosive with easy speed. Blue has the ability to slice through holes and plays well off the back of blockers.

He’s not a guy that’s going to look for the tough yards, rather assess and look for the path of least resistance to explode through. If he finds space as a rusher or receiver, look out.

RB: Phil Mafah

Mafah is the opposite of Blue as he’s not an easy mover and will make his living on the interior of the line. Whereas Blue excels off the backs of pullers, Mafah lacks the speed, elusiveness and patience to benefit from their blocks and typically runs into the back of them without leaving himself space to create or build momentum.

In the Cowboys backfield he does have a role as a big, short yardage, goal line back as he punishes with his finishes when he’s able to build steam, keeps his legs churning and moves piles, while always falling forward. However, he gets upright and can be had when defenders attack his thighs and legs.

WR: CeeDee Lamb

In 5 NFL seasons Lamb has only missed 3 games, including the last 2 of 2024. His last 3 seasons have seen him be the focal point of the offense without a stud receiver opposite of him to take some attention away from him. His first 2 years he was alongside Amari Cooper.

Now, with Pickens joining the fold, Lamb may see a dip in targets but it also means defenses can’t put all of their attention on him. Lamb has averaged over 160 targets per year since 2022, after averaging around 115 his first 2 years with Cooper. Though a drop is expected in 2025, he’ll still be closer to 160 than 115 and still hit his 9 TDs he’s averaged the last 3 seasons.

WR: George Pickens

Pickens is a legit talent. In 3 seasons with the Steelers he’s averaged 58 receptions for 947 yards for an average reception of 16.3 yards. That’s insane, moreso when you consider his entire career has been played with QBs the likes of Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, a declining Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

WR: Jalen Tolbert

Tolbert had his breakout season last year with 15 starts while recording 49 / 610 / 7. He was the 2nd option among receivers but due to the addition of Pickens, he’s sure to see a major drop from the 79 targets he received in 2024.

TE: Jake Ferguson

Ferguson suffered a couple of injuries in 2024, causing him to miss a game early in the season due to a sprained knee and then later left a game early with a concussion and subsequently missed the following 2 games.

In his first 8 games of the year he totaled 42 receptions but whether it was the injuries or Prescott’s absence from the lineup down the stretch, he only recorded 16 receptions over his last 5 games.

BREAKOUT PLAYER: George Pickens

The best receiver to pull attention away from Pickens during his tenure in Pittsburgh was Diontae Johnson. Now, he has a talented QB in Prescott and with a true #1 WR in Lamb drawing the focus of the defense. Whatsmore, it’s a contract year for Pickens. One in which he’ll double his career-high for TDs in a season (5) by reaching double-digits in Dallas.

BUST: Javonte Williams

By December of last year Williams saw his role reduced to serving as the receiving back as he finished the last 5 games 3rd among RBs on the roster in carries. He’ll be relegated to predominately a receiving option in Dallas and won’t reach 400 rush yards in 2025.

SLEEPER: Jaydon Blue

The Cowboys drafted an offensive lineman named Tyler (Smith / Guyton / Booker) in the 1st round in 3 of the last 4 drafts. Blue has the speed to maximize lanes and landed in a spot where the creases will be created. He’ll lead the Dallas backfield with 800+ rushing yards along with 30+ receptions and 8 total TDs.

BOLD PREDICTION: Dak Prescott

It’s an odd number year which is a recipe for success for Prescott. More importantly he has a true tandem of receiving threats in Lamb and Pickens with a backfield that offers a mix of skill sets. For the second time in 3 years with Schottenheimer, Prescott will put up a 4-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio with 4,500 passing yards along with setting a career-high of 40 TDs through the air.