Dallas Cowboys find answer for major weakness from one of the biggest bargains in the 2025 NFL Draft that could make impact early
The run defense for the Dallas Cowboys was a major issue during the 2024 season, allowing opponents to rush for over 137 yards game and 4.8 yards per carry. Improving the front seven this offseason, particularly in that department is a big priority. The Cowboys didn’t attack that need early in the 2025 NFL Draft, […]
The run defense for the Dallas Cowboys was a major issue during the 2024 season, allowing opponents to rush for over 137 yards game and 4.8 yards per carry. Improving the front seven this offseason, particularly in that department is a big priority. The Cowboys didn’t attack that need early in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they did find an intriguing answer later on Day Three.
With the No. 217 overall selection in the seventh round, the Cowboys selected former UCLA defensive tackle Jay Toia. The 6-2, 342-pound run stopper was expected to go a bit earlier than he did, but Dallas now gets potentially a huge value, quite literally. There is a lot like about Toia, and all that he brings to the table.
Toia is obviously a massive body, and he does a lot of the little things, including playing with a good motor and impressive strength at the point of attack. Over the last three seasons, Toia became a very important contributor inside for UCLA. He ended his career with 91 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks.
Playing mostly nose tackle in his career, the box score isn’t going to tell the full story of impact that Toia brings. He has been asked to do much of the dirty work for the Bruins, allowing guys like Carson Schwesinger, and Femi Oladejo to run around and make plays. There is, however, some underlying athleticism to continue developing.
From a depth chart perspective, the Cowboys are going to feature Osa Odighizuwa inside. Next to him, Nazi Smith holds down the nose tackle potion. There isn’t much nose tackle depth behind him, and Toia could conceivably fight to be the main backup for the 2025 NFL season.
The linebackers are going to be mostly the same group from a season ago, as well as the addition of Kenneth Murray. If Dallas is going to maximize the talent, it must allow players like Murray and DeMarvion Overshown to be kept clean. A massive presence like Toia should help tremendously with that.
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