There's been a more intentional Brian Schottenheimer during this busy NFL Draft process.
As the NFL announced teams' offseason program schedules just before this Easter weekend, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones used an appropriate metaphor to describe his second-year head coach, Brian Schottenheimer.
"He's like a budding spring flower. He's just — you can just feel him," Jones at the owner's meetings in Phoenix, via the Dallas Morning News. "You can feel him growing."
Schotty's done most of the growing through his mileage, traveling to pro days across the state to scout future NFL talent ahead of the draft in late April.
It marks the head coach's second NFL Draft process, and while he adjusted to many different aspects of being a head coach last year, he finds this phase of the season to be an enjoyable one.
"I'm great with people," Schottenheimer has said. That was on full display in the month of March, and it's carried over into Dallas' 30 visits at The Star in April.
The News' Joseph Hoyt reports that Schottenheimer has taken a "hands on" approach to this year's scouting, which comes as more of a requirement with young defensive coordinator Christian Parker getting acclimated in his new role, just as Schottenheimer went through last season.
Vice president for player personnel, Will McClay, has also been instrumental in the process. For the Cowboys, this year's first round isn't just a pivotal step for the new coaches, but a monumental opportunity for the organization as a whole. Schottenheimer himself knew he needed to be involved as much as possible, whereas last year he was easing into the position after being hired.
"A big part of it is that I missed some time last year and I'm not going to do that [this year], especially with the firepower that we have in the first round," the coach said.
No one is dismissing how the Cowboys played some of their worst defense in decades in 2025, but armed with two first-round selections (No. 12 and 20) and adding pieces in free agency, the team believes a turnaround is possible.
But pressure most rests on nailing these two picks, because those could just as likely be future Pro Bowlers as they could be busts. Dallas has seen some of both options with their recent top picks.
That's why Schottenheimer has been intentional with each 30 visit he's had, even if it's with "freak" prospects like Arvell Reese or David Bailey, who by nearly every mock projection, will be long gone before Dallas No. 12 pick comes around. No stone is left unturned here, even if its the potential for a first-round trade-up.
There's buzz about the Cowboys being in conversations with the Arizona Cardinals about jumping up to the No. 3 spot and potentially drafting either of the top outside linebackers Reese or Bailey. There's some fact and fiction intertwined in there, but you can read more on that here.
All in all, this scouting and personal recruitment is an area where Schotty's personality thrives.
"The more you’re around these guys, the more you see them interact, it gives you an insight into what they’re going to do in our locker room," Schottenheimer said, "whether it’s playing ping pong, whether it’s doing different things, it was really cool.
We know Schottenheimer's locker room culture - yes, including the infamous ping pong table - was a major point of emphasis in last year's draft, where Dallas walked out with Alabama leader Tyler Booker on the offensive line and workhorse edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Now it appears a similar outlook has taken shape in 2026, and Schottenheimer is as close to the action as ever to see it through.
