2026 Fantasy Managers Are About to Overpay for Cowboys Stars

The Cowboys’ offense is loaded with names people in fantasy football know, and that could be how somebody ends up drafting one of those guys too early.

I’ve been there before.

I love what Dallas has on offense, and before long I will talk myself into taking a Cowboys player probably before I should, because I know the potential of this offense.

That is where I think several Cowboys fans could get themselves into trouble.

CeeDee Lamb is Still Worth a First-Round Pick

I’m not going to overcomplicate this one because, if healthy, Lamb is a beast.

He averaged 14.3 points per game (PPG) last season with only three touchdowns. I would expect the touchdowns number to climb, and the targets should keep him from killing a lineup during a rough week.

In his career, the fantasy football PPG was nearly three points higher at 17.0.

We all know he has a connection with Dak Prescott, so that part isn’t going to be a problem. They have been together long enough to be able to almost feel where each other is at on the field.

I would be perfectly fine taking CeeDee Lamb in the back half of the first round. If he gets pushed near the top of drafts, I would personally take an elite running back because they are harder to find.

Lamb is the safest Cowboys pick, but he’s not the only good one.

George Pickens Proved to be the Real Deal

I don’t see George Pickens as the second receiver in Dallas. I see him as the other number 1.

Pickens averaged 17.2 points per game in 2025, which was higher than Lamb. The thing with Pickens that I quickly found out last season is that he is boom or bust. In nine games last season, he had less than 15 PPG.

Lamb normally gives the steadier score, but Pickens can make one or two catches that travel half the field.

If CeeDee Lamb goes in the first-round, George Pickens may be taken shortly after. If you’re in a league where he falls to the second or third round, you better pounce on him.

Dak Prescott is My Favorite Value Pick on the Roster

Dak averaged 18.5 PPG in 2025, but now he is going into his second year with George Pickens and a revamped offense with a running game.

Last season, Dak Prescott was hovering around the 10th quarterback taken. His draft rank was around 77th, which would put him in that 5th to 6th round range.

In smaller leagues, you could get him in the 7th round, but would you spend a pick on a quarterback early and let the top receivers and running backs go? If another manager wants to grab him too early, more power to them. I’ll take the skill position.

Javonte Williams is a Great Fourth Round Pick

I don’t believe Javonte Williams will last until the fourth-round in 2026, but if he does, that is an excellent pick. Most fantasy players, like myself, want that skill position filled before I take a quarterback, defense, or kicker.

After Williams averaged 15.2 PPG last season, it may have catapulted the running back into the first-round. His 13 touchdowns could also increase this year if the Cowboys figure out they can run the ball in the red zone.

I feel like that type of year and the possibility of more red zone opportunities could push him up in fantasy drafts, but I wouldn’t count on another 13 touchdowns before the season even starts.

Jake Ferguson Can Wait

In 2025, Jake Ferguson averaged 11.2 PPG, and he should get some good looks around the goal line, but can he capitalize on them?

I would be fine drafting him in fantasy football. I just wouldn’t go out of my way and force the pick to make sure he’s on my team with the amount of firepower around him.

Lamb and Pickens are going to take a big chunk of the targets, and Williams is going to touch the ball. Ferguson can still help, but I’m looking for him in the late rounds.

If he goes before that, I’ll find another tight end.

Brandon Aubrey Can Flip a Fantasy Team

I normally ignore kickers until the end of the draft, but Brandon Aubrey has changed that strategy for me.

Aubrey is one of the few kickers who can get you 12–20 PPG, and we know Dallas will send him out to kick from just about anywhere.

Last season Brandon Aubrey averaged 10.4 PPG, and leagues that hand out extra points for long field goals couldn’t draft a much better kicker for those points.

I took Brandon Aubrey in the mid-rounds last year, and he won me my league, so I’m pretty high on Aubrey.

My Two Dark Horse Fantasy Options

How many times have you went late into the fantasy football season and needed a skill player on a bye week or injury? Well, these two could be options.

Jaydon Blue and Ryan Flournoy will get some fantasy points this season.

If I had to put a number on Blue it would be 5 to 7 PPG if his role stays small, but if he gets more carries, you could be looking at a back who moves closer to 10-12 PPG once the trust is gained.

Ryan Flournoy, on the other hand, turned it on late last season and is in firm control of the WR3 spot and having Lamb and Pickens outside will open up plenty of opportunities.

Early in the season look for about 6 PPG, but if an injury happens, that goes up to about 12 PPG.

I wouldn’t draft either of these two expecting big numbers, but if you are able to stash them. They could pay off later in the season.

Personally, I would leave them on waivers and pay close attention to news coming out of Dallas and the injury reports during the fantasy season.