Brian Schottenheimer’s coaching shift: What it means for fantasy football in Dallas

In a surprising yet familiar move, the Dallas Cowboys have appointed Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. Known for his lineage as the son of legendary NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian has been a part of the league since 1997, starting as an assistant with the St. Louis Rams. With a coaching career spanning over two decades, he has held various roles, including offensive coordinator for teams like the New York Jets, the Rams, the Seattle Seahawks, and most recently, the Cowboys.

The question on every fantasy football enthusiast’s mind is: how will Schottenheimer’s hiring impact the Cowboys’ offensive production and, more importantly, the fantasy value of their key players? To understand this, we need to take a closer look at Schottenheimer’s track record across different teams.

Schottenheimer’s Offensive Philosophy

One thing is clear: Schottenheimer’s offenses have had their ups and downs. During his tenure with the New York Jets, his teams averaged a pass-to-run ratio of 52.2% to 47.8%. While this might seem balanced, it’s important to note that in three of his six seasons, he leaned heavily on the passing game, exceeding 55% passing attempts. However, there was a significant outlier in 2009 when his Jets ran the ball 58.9% of the time.

Despite this, the Jets’ offense struggled to find its rhythm, finishing an average of 16th in points per game and 21st in yards per game. The highest-ranking quarterback under Schottenheimer was Mark Sanchez, who managed to finish 10th in fantasy points in 2011, but that was largely due to his rushing ability, as he scored six rushing touchdowns that season. In his other two seasons with Schottenheimer, Sanchez fell to 25th and 18th in fantasy rankings.

Running Backs and Wide Receivers Under Schottenheimer

When it comes to the running backs, Thomas Jones was the standout performer, finishing sixth and ninth in fantasy points during his time with the Jets. However, the rest of the backfield, including LaDainian Tomlinson, failed to make a significant impact, with no other runner finishing better than RB15 during Schottenheimer’s watch.

As for wide receivers, the Jets did not produce a single top-10 fantasy wideout under Schottenheimer. The closest was Laveranues Coles, who finished 14th in 2006. Outside of 2007, no Jets wideout managed to crack the top 20 in points. This lack of production raises questions about how Schottenheimer can unlock the potential of Dallas’s talented receiving corps, including CeeDee Lamb.

St. Louis Rams: A Tougher Challenge

Schottenheimer’s stint with the St. Louis Rams was even less impressive. His offenses ranked an average of 22nd in points per game and 27th in yards per game. Quarterback Sam Bradford’s best fantasy finish was only 16th, while Steven Jackson barely cracked the top 20 as the RB16 in 2012. The wide receiver corps was lackluster, with Brandon Gibson finishing as the WR45 in 2012, which paints a bleak picture of offensive productivity during those years.

Success in Seattle

However, things took a turn for the better during Schottenheimer’s time with the Seattle Seahawks. With a wealth of talent at his disposal, including Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, Schottenheimer’s offenses thrived. He maintained a pass-to-run ratio of 53.7% to 46.3%, with his final season seeing him throw the ball 59.8% of the time.

On average, his Seattle offenses ranked eighth in points and 14th in total net yards per season. Wilson was a fantasy star, finishing in the top nine every year Schottenheimer was at the helm. Chris Carson also made his mark, finishing in the top 20 among running backs in all three seasons, including an RB12 finish in 2019. Meanwhile, Lockett and Metcalf both showcased their talents, with Lockett finishing 16th, 13th, and eighth in points during those years.

What This Means for the Cowboys

So, what does all this mean for the Dallas Cowboys? With a talented quarterback in Dak Prescott and a rising star in CeeDee Lamb, there’s potential for a productive offense. Schottenheimer has shown that when he has the right talent, he can deliver impressive results in both real and fantasy football. The Cowboys might not dominate the league under his leadership, but the presence of Schottenheimer shouldn’t deter fantasy managers from considering their players.

As the NFL draft approaches, it’s likely that the Cowboys will look to bolster their roster, potentially adding more talent to complement their existing stars. Could we see a new running back or wide receiver join the ranks? The possibilities are exciting!

In the end, while Schottenheimer has had his share of struggles, his success in Seattle demonstrates that he can elevate an offense when given the right pieces. As fantasy football enthusiasts prepare for their drafts, keep an eye on the Cowboys. They could be poised for a breakout season under their new head coach, with plenty of fantasy points to be had.

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