2025 Cowboys NFL Draft grades: Grades for every Dallas selection
The Dallas Cowboys head into the 2025 NFL Draft looking for ways to build a Super Bowl contender.
With an offensive core of quarterback Dak Prescott and All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, Dallas is a formidable opponent during the regular season. However, "America's Team" has loftier expectations than a solid regular season record.
The Cowboys are coming off an injury-riddled season during which depth on the roster became a glaring issue. Dallas will look to the draft to add more pieces and depth to a roster again in win-now mode.
Dallas parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy following the regular season and hired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as its new head coach. The team hopes this offseason change will revitalize the franchise and help them break a 30-year Super Bowl drought.
Dallas aims to find itself contending in the NFC with a healthy roster and plans to bolster its depth during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cowboys have 10 draft selections, with their first pick being the 12th overall selection in the first round.
Some draft experts and fans expect Dallas to land an offensive skill-position player like top wide receiver prospects Tetairoa McMillan or Matthew Golden. Others think the team could land a running back with one of the teams top selections. How will the Cowboys approach the draft?
Here's a look at the Cowboys 2025 draft picks grades from Paste BN Sports and the Paste BN Network.
Cowboys NFL draft grades
This section will be updated when Dallas makes its picks.
Round 1, Pick 12: Tyler Booker, IOL, Alabama
New coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke earlier this month of his belief in building a team outside in, with a focus on cornerbacks, wide receivers, defensive ends and offensive tackles. But this is Jerry Jones' show, so the boss gets his road-grading offensive guard. The 6-5, 321-pounder can be a force in amplifying Dallas' ground game, but passing up on both wide receiver Matthew Golden and tight end Tyler Warren is going to once again leave Dak Prescott with an unstable receiving corps outside of CeeDee Lamb.
Booker is one of the more polarizing prospects taken in the first round. There is no denying his power as a run blocker, length, size and demeanor. But he was one of the slowest offensive linemen at the combine and is limited foot speed-wise. They filled a need with Zack Martin's retirement but there were many better players at other positions of need that they could've addressed instead.
Round 2, Pick 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
Nice bounce-back pick for Jerry Jones after the questionable use of resources in taking Tyler Booker at No. 12. Ezeiruaku was second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 16 1/2 sacks last season, and he should be able to continue deploying his advanced approach to rushing the passer effectively as he operates opposite Micah Parsons.
Ezeiruaku entered the night as one of the best value picks and the Cowboys get a steal here. He's arguably the most pro-ready pass rusher thanks to his array of pass-rush moves. He doesn't win with power but uses his bend, burst and length to get after the quarterback.
Round 3, Pick 76: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Brian Schottenheimer spoke early this month about his desire to build the team outside in. With Revel, Dallas does exactly that, giving itself a smothering coverage presence who likely would have been a first-round talent if not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in September.
Revel slipped out of the first two rounds in the draft because he tore his ACL early in the 2024 season. When healthy, he is an elite athlete with ideal outside cornerback size (6-foot-2, 197 pounds) and length with a hard-hitting attitude in run defense. Dallas got another steal on Day 2.
Round 5, Pick 149: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
Dallas needs more from its running backs and Blue could be an immediate contributor. The Texas running back had to wait behind top NFL draft picks Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks but made the most of his opportunity in 2024. He's an electric runner with the ball in his hands who can take it the distance at any time. He's also a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Round 5, Pick 152: Shemar James, LB, Florida
Dallas could use more linebacker depth with DeMarvion Overshown coming back from injury in 2025. James is slightly undersized at 6-foot-1 and 228 pounds but moves well and has the tools to be an athletic run defender. He needs to improve his coverage consistency but should be a contributor on special teams right away.
Round 6, Pick 204: Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon
Cornelius was less heralded than teammate Josh Conerly Jr. but projects very well on the interior at the NFL level. His footwork and hand usage should make him an asset for the Cowboys as they look to solidify the offensive line.
Round 7, Pick 217: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
Toia is an outlier size-wise at 6-foot-2 and 341 pounds and that shows up in run defense. He'll be a rotational piece as a rookie with the power to stand his ground against taller blockers. He's limited as a pass rusher by his short arms but he'll be a useful nose tackle for the Cowboys.
Round 7, Pick 239: Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
Dallas is rounding out their backfield with a great compliment to fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue. Mafah is a big, bruising power back who lacks explosiveness but runs over defenders at will. At 6-foot and 239 pounds, he'll bring the early-down skillset to the Cowboys' backfield.
Round 7, Pick 247: Tommy Akingbesote, DT, Maryland
Dallas gets another defensive tackle with their final pick in the draft. Akingbesote is talented at 6-foot-3 and 307 pounds with a long wingspan. He's steadily improved each year and his best football is ahead of him. As a rookie, he's a depth piece at best.
Cowboys NFL draft picks
Ten selections:
- Round 1: No. 12 overall: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
- Round 2: No. 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge, Boston College
- Round 3: No. 76: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
- Round 5: Pick 149: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
- Round 5: Pick 152: Shemar James, LB, Florida
- Round 6: Pick 204 (Lions via Bills from trade for CB Kaiir Elam): Ajani Cornelius, OL, Oregon
- Round 7: Pick 217 (Titans via Patriots from trade for QB Joe Milton): Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
- Round 7: Pick 239 (Packers via Titans from trade for LB Kenneth Murray): Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
- Round 7: Pick 247 (Chiefs via Panthers from trade for WR Jonathan Mingo)