The Dallas Cowboys’ three-year playoff streak came to a crashing halt in 2024. Now led by a new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys will try to get back on track, starting with the 2025 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at how Dallas’ picks graded out.
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Overall Cowboys Draft Grade: B+
Some of the Cowboys’ picks may have been polarizing in the heat of the moment, but their composite class ended up looking a lot stronger than anticipated. Anchored by a superb early-round slate, the Cowboys’ rookie class has a chance to make an impact right away.
The Tyler Booker selection is simple. He’s not an elite athlete, but he’s an elite competitor with the size, technique, and IQ to last a long time as an NFL starter. Donovan Ezeiruaku has instant value as a pass-rush specialist, and Shavon Revel can help form a top-tier CB trio with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, if he can stay healthy.
The Cowboys’ performance dipped slightly on Day 3, mainly with a fifth-round reach for an unathletic, inconsistent linebacker in Shemar James. But overall, the Cowboys utilized their capital well. Jaydon Blue is a sparkplug at RB, and the rest of the Day 3 additions provide solid depth. This Cowboys class could help the team set off on the right foot with Brian Schottenheimer.
Grades for Every Cowboys Draft Pick
- Round 1, Pick 12
Tyler Booker, OG | Alabama
Grade: B+
In a somewhat surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys drafted Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick, addressing a newly-realized need in the wake of Zack Martin’s retirement. Booker’s selection will be polarizing for many, but his tape rules in favor of his consideration this high.
Booker tested as a below-average athlete, and on tape, it’s clear that his mobility and range aren’t overwhelming strengths. That said, in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, he should be able to thrive. He’s a monster in a phone booth with his 6’5”, 320-pound frame, heavy hands, near-flawless technique, and ruthless finishing mentality, and he has enough urgency and power to execute down and base blocks in the run game.
Booker is a bit of an outlier with his testing athleticism, but he has all of the operational qualities to beat the odds, and he shores up a significant area of need for Dallas. An offensive line with Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Booker, and Terence Steele has exciting potential.
- Round 2, Pick 44
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE | Boston College
Grade: B+
Once viewed as a first-round candidate, Donovan Ezeiruaku’s slide has finally ended, as the Cowboys have taken him with the 44th overall pick. This spot is a better reflection of Ezeiruaku’s value overall, and even here, there are questions to answer, but his immediate pass-rush dynamism is what sells the pick for the Cowboys.
At 6’2 ½” and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku is a lighter EDGE prospect, who doesn’t have high-end speed-to-power or play strength in the run game. Those aspects complicate his projection and his usage alongside Micah Parsons and Dante Fowler.
But with his 34” arms, he does have a wide disruption radius on the rush, and his finesse, agility, bend, and proactive hands enable him to be a down-to-down disruptor on the attack.
- Round 3, Pick 76
Shavon Revel Jr., CB | East Carolina
Grade: A+
The Cowboys’ draft philosophy can sometimes be hit-or-miss, but this was a center hit, all the way past the fences. Shavon Revel Jr. was a top-25 prospect on my board, and assuming he’s on track for a full recovery from the torn ACL he suffered in September, he can be a high-level starter alongside Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, who’ll presumably shift back to the slot.
At 6’2”, 196 pounds, with over 32” arms, Revel has a truly hyper-elite combination of size and athleticism. He’s fast-moving in short areas and over long distances, with the closing explosiveness to hawk in front of ill-fated routes and the short-area twitch, fluidity, and physicality to smother WRs in press.
He may need an acclimation period after making the leap from a lower-level conference, but he has all the tools to be an impact starter in time.
- Round 5, Pick 149
Jaydon Blue, RB | Texas
Grade: B+ - Round 5, Pick 152
Shemar James, LB | Florida
Grade: D - Round 6, Pick 204
Ajani Cornelius, OT | Oregon
Grade: C+ - Round 7, Pick 217
Jay Toia, DT | UCLA
Grade: B
- Round 7, Pick 239
Phil Mafah, RB | Clemson
Grade: B - Round 7, Pick 247
Tommy Akingbesote, DT | Maryland
Grade: B
