​The NFL has become a market of trends and imitators. One season, spread offenses dominate the playbook; the next, power running takes the spotlight. In 2026, the fad appears to be oversized personnel packages that captivate modern coordinators. This pattern has been developing over several seasons and is likely to hit new heights this year. The Dallas Cowboys, however, aren’t following that trajectory. Brian Schottenheimer’s offense is rich with receiving talent and has leaned heavily on 11 personnel. In 2025 Dallas ranked second in the league in 11 personnel EPA per play, using this three-receiver look 66.43 percent of the time, according to Sumer Sports. With the emergence of Ryan Flournoy at WR3 in 2026, that figure is expected to rise even further.
Going against the grain isn’t always prudent, but it can pay off if it creates mismatches. To understand why, let’s first examine the current trend. Led by Sean McVay’s Rams, 12- and 13-personnel formations have surged in popularity. In response to the NFL’s heavy nickel usage, teams are deploying two- and three-tight-end packages to manufacture favorable matchups. When defenses face this, they must choose between remaining in their nickel base—with an extra cornerback—or pivoting to a base defense that substitutes a third linebacker.
Defenses are forced to pick their poison: if they keep the cornerback on the field, offenses can punish them by running behind larger personnel. If they replace the cornerback with another linebacker, offenses can target the seldom-used “backer” in passing downs. It’s essentially a dynamic where offenses pass against run defenses and run against pass defenses.
The rise of multi-tight-end schemes has spurred defensive innovation as well. Teams respond by deploying hybrid defenders—undersized linebackers or oversized safeties—who can flex into slot duties. This positionally versatile role places a do-it-all defender into action. Players like Nick Emmanwori in Seattle and Caleb Downs in Dallas exemplify this shift, but the trend is visible league-wide. As traditional slot cornerbacks become less of a premium, agile, coverage-oriented specialists are becoming rarer.
Meanwhile, defenses are constructing units designed to counter two- and three-tight-end looks, yet they’re increasingly ill-equipped to slow down a dominant three-receiver attack like Dallas’s. That’s why chasing trends such as 12- and 13-personnel may be a misstep for the Cowboys. Instead, Dallas should lean into what they do best: maximizing 11 personnel with a talent-rich receiving corps and a precise, modern passing attack. CeeDee Lamb remains central to that strategy, complementing the versatile options on the depth chart. Embracing 11 personnel allows Dallas to exploit the mismatches created by defenses still adapting to heavy- and multi-tight-end looks, positioning them to thrive amid an evolving NFL landscape.