The more we get acquainted with Brian Schottenheimer, the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, the clearer our understanding becomes of what the team might resemble during the 2025 NFL season. On Tuesday, Schottenheimer shared his thoughts on constructing an NFL roster, potentially revealing a significant clue regarding the Cowboys’ intentions for their first-round Draft pick.

Schottenheimer expressed his reluctance to select at No. 12 again, emphasizing his desire to maximize a top-tier pick. To him, this means choosing a player who can significantly impact the game. “You’re targeting individuals who can affect the game, and how do you do that?” Schottenheimer explained to reporters via The Athletic’s Jon Machota.

“You pressure the quarterback and secure sacks, strip sacks, fumbles, whatever it takes. (…) Think of it like this: you build from the outside-in. Corners, receivers, they face one-on-one situations. Pass rushers, tackles, they also face one-on-one situations.”

While Schottenheimer won’t be making the selections on draft night—that responsibility primarily falls to Cowboys VP of player personnel, Will McClay, who has a commendable history of successful picks—coaches can certainly steer a team’s Draft direction.

If Schottenheimer’s roster-building philosophy is taken into account on April 24th, his remarks could strongly hint at the team’s possible choice at No. 12. When the Cowboys are on the clock, wide receiver is a position likely to be considered, not only based on team requirements but also on the available talent: Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) and Matthew Golden (Texas) might be promising candidates for the front office as they aim to enhance the lineup alongside CeeDee Lamb.

“That’s my perspective: when constructing a roster, consider building it from the outside-in focusing on players frequently isolated,” Schottenheimer elaborated. “Because facing isolation without assistance can be quite challenging.”

It’s important to note that Schottenheimer’s approach may not be universally accepted. Some people prioritize positions like defensive tackle and the interior offensive line over skill positions such as wide receiver and cornerback.

Nevertheless, advanced metrics like WAR (Wins Above Replacement) indicate that wide receivers and defensive backs are among the most valuable roles, meaning Schottenheimer is certainly onto something. “It’s astonishing (…) that the farther a player is from the ball, the more valuable they seem,” Pro Football Focus’ explanation of WAR suggests. “Beyond quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs, and tight ends exhibit the highest average WAR.”

Despite Schottenheimer’s roster-building ideas, when the clock starts ticking, all options will be open for the Cowboys. Ultimately, Schottenheimer believes in sticking to the basics. “When we enter the Draft, we should opt for the best player available,” Schottenheimer stated. “In my view, that’s the optimal approach.”