Keeping an eye on the Eagles’ NFC East rivals.
The Dallas Cowboys enter a new era with a new head coach and high expectations for 2025. Dak Prescott will be back healthy and the team will have their sights set on winning the division. Dallas has historically drafted pretty well, which has not translated into any major postseason achievement. Their 2025 draft looks like one of the more impressive groups in the NFL. Will it translate?
Tyler Booker, Offensive Guard, Alabama
This was a classic safe, boring, smart pick by the Cowboys. Tyler Booker will immediately be a quality starting guard on their offensive line. Booker is a big, powerful, experienced player who will thrive as a run blocker and has the tools to be a quality pass blocker.
While there will be a learning curve for him as a taller guard, he should very quickly smooth over technical issues into being a solid player. The Cowboys have historically drafted linemen well and this is no exception.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge Defednder, Boston College
The way I groaned when Dallas made this selection. Donovan Ezeiruaku was one of my favorite players in the class and now… he is a Cowboy.
Donovan Ezeiruaku was arguably the best pure pass rusher in a very talented 2025 class. He is undersized, but makes up for it with speed, quickness, technique, and ferocity.
Ezeiruaku should be an immediate impact pass rusher in the NFL. The big question is if he can stay on the field for running downs. Is he too small to hold up as a full time edge defender? It wasn’t a problem at the college level, but NFL size and physicality are a very different animal.
Shavon Revel Junior, Cornerback, East Carolina
Shavon Revel was thought of by many to be a first round talent. A knee injury dropped him all the way to the third round but the appeal is obvious.
On the field, Shavon Revel is a big, fast, and disciplined cornerback. His size makes allows him to bully receivers at the line and the catch point.
The major concern for Revel will be health. He suffered an ACL during the 2024 season. His recovery will determine his timeline to get on the field for the Cowboys defense, but a fully healthy version of Shavon Revel is an NFL starter.
Jaydon Blue, Running Back, Texas
The Cowboys had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL last year after running the ball was their calling card for over a decade. It makes sense Dallas dipped (in fact double dipped) into a very good running back class.
Jaydon Blue was part of a talented Texas running back committee, meaning he doesn’t have the mileage, nor the experience, of a featured back. Blue is athletic, with the agility and breakaway speed of a game changer, but there is a lot to his game that will improve with experience.
His vision, consistency catching the ball, fumble issues can all improve as he has more carries under his belt. If he can improve, he has the talent to be a dynamic three down back in the Cowboys offense.
Shemar James, Linebacker, Florida
The Cowboys have prioritized speed on their defense for a few years now and the Shemar James pick feeds into that.
James does not have ideal size for an NFL linebacker, but is very quick and flashed at Florida the ability to make flashy plays with his speed.
James never put it together during his time in college, so Dallas’ hope is that he develops under Mike Zimmer and can turn his talents into production.
Ajani Cornelius, Offensive Lineman, Oregon
The Cowboys continue to build out a young offensive line room after some turnover over the last few years. Ajani Cornelius started a ton of games in college at Rhode Island and then Oregon. He is a smart, physical player who was a really good right tackle but might be a guard in the NFL.
Jay Toia, Defensive Tackle, UCLA
The main thing to know about Jay Toia is that he is huge. At 6’2” and nearly 340 pounds, Toia is a stout, immovable nose tackle who makes life hell for centers trying to run block.
Toia is not an urgent mover and will not be much of a factor rushing the passer, but could be a solid two-down defender for the Cowboys.
Phil Mafah, Running Back, Clemson
The second running back swing is one I particularly like. Phil Mafah had a ton of experience running the football at Clemson and could be an impact role player in the NFL.
Mafah is a big, punishing runner who is hard to bring down at top speed. He is not a quick or agile player, nor can he contribute much as a pass catcher, but he can be a great part of a committee.
Tommy Akingbesote, Defensive Tackle, Maryland
This was an interesting final pick by the Cowboys. Not just because of the player, but what the pick is signaling.
Tommy Akingbesote is a big-bodied, physical player who does his best work as a run defender. He is not much of a pass rusher nor does he possess the upside to be a plus three-down defender.
Dallas drafting two big, physical defensive tackles in the late rounds shows they know who their going up against in the division. The Eagles ran all over the Cowboys defense (and everyone else) in 2024. That trend likely won’t change in the coming years with the way Philly is constructed. In fact, the NFL seems to be shifting back more towards getting more physical and running the ball.
The Cowboys are looking to stay ahead of the curve by getting bigger and more physical in the middle of their defense. Let’s see if it works.
