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RotoBaller's Dallas Cowboys 2025 NFL draft picks and recaps. Grades for all 9 of the Cowboys selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dallas Cowboys 2025 Draft Grades
Below, read the breakdown, analysis, and grades for all nine selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, featuring Tyler Booker, Jaydon Blue, and more.
No. 12 - Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Grade: B
Analysis: Booker is a Day 1 starter after an impressive collegiate career at Alabama. He’ll bring his nasty streak and physical style to Dallas right away and help a rebuilding offensive line after the losses of a few future Hall-of-Famers over the last few offseasons. That said, this range of the draft felt early for Booker, who was one of the worst athletes at the position in the draft. Could Dallas have entertained a trade down and still acquired a starting guard?
No. 44 - Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
Grade: A+
Analysis: Despite Ezeiruaku being undersized, his 2024 production profile is off the charts. The former BC Eagle registered 16.5 sacks in 12 games a year ago and racked up at least three sacks in two games. He was expected to be a late first-round pick, but he fell to Dallas and will be a nice piece opposite Micah Parsons in the pass-rush game. They nailed this one.
No. 76 - Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Grade: A
Analysis: Revel was the consensus No. 6 cornerback in the class during the pre-draft process, and Dallas landed him in Round 3 as the ninth CB off the board. Revel stands 6-foot-3 and will immediately add depth and competition to the Dallas secondary that struggled in 2024. We love this pick.
No. 149 - Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
Grade: B
Analysis: Many projected Dallas to take a running back on Day 2 of the NFL Draft, but Jerry Jones waited until the fifth round to take his shot. With Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders slotted in as the lead backs in Dallas, Blue will have the chance to earn a role right away. He isn’t the workhorse type, but he can be a weapon in the passing game, as demonstrated by his 42 receptions and six receiving touchdowns last season.
No. 152 - Shemar James, LB, Florida
Grade: C+
Analysis: While linebacker depth was a need with DeMarvion Overshown’s injury and three veterans on expiring contracts, the trade-up for James, who was outside the top 200 of the consensus big board, wasn’t ideal. The Florida product has speed to chase down the football, but he’s another undersized defender who will likely be overpowered by NFL offensive linemen.
No. 204 - Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon
Grade: B+
Analysis: You can never have enough offensive line depth, and Cornelius is a physical run-blocker who fits what new head coach Brian Schottenheimer is trying to do in Dallas. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that he was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. Good pick.
No. 217 - Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
Grade: A
Analysis: Many expected Toia to come off the board much sooner, so here’s another example of Dallas staying patient and letting defenders fall into their laps. It would’ve been nice to see Dallas address its run defense earlier, but Toia is a seventh-rounder with legitimate starting potential.
No. 239 - Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
Grade: B-
Analysis: It’s hard to criticize any seventh-round pick harshly, and taking another shot on a running back is fine. However, Mafah never took the step forward that many expected him to at Clemson, and he likely doesn’t present much upside other than being a goal-line hammer.
No. 247 - Tommy Akingbesote, DT, Maryland
Grade: C+
Analysis: Akingbesote was likely to go undrafted, but defensive tackle was still a need after selecting Toia. The only reason this pick is lower than a B is the value on the player.
