Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer is raising the bar on physicality, preaching an ass-kicker mindset for the next two padded practices as they prepare for the season opener. The vibe is intense from the get-go: fighters in practice, pad level under scrutiny, and a clear message that every rep matters. The club showed flashes of a hard-nosed identity during camp, but it was tested in joint sessions with the Rams and in a rocky preseason loss to the Ravens, signaling a need to sharpen tackling and consistency.

Two themes drive the fantasy lens: first, the Cowboys want a more aggressive, physically dominant culture that could shift snap counts and drive success in gritty games. Second, the competition for roster spots has heightened the urgency, with early returns suggesting some surprise players could surface as Schottenheimer’s program takes hold. Expect more forceful run fits and tighter coverage, which could elevate short-area targets and defensive opportunism in the early slate.

In short, Dallas is chasing a tougher, more physical identity that, if sustained, could elevate fantasy relevance for tight ends and defensive-scheme players while pressuring the offense to punch through with better pad level and tackling—especially as they head toward Philadelphia.