Grading the entire 2025 Dallas Cowboys draft class: Multiple picks could have big roles early on but team neglects top need
Seven rounds are in the books and now know who will make up the 2025 Dallas Cowboys draft class. So it's inevitably the time of the year where we grade each of the nine picks made by Will McClay and Co. Disclaimer: Yes, it's true we won't know how these players will turn out until at […]
Seven rounds are in the books and now know who will make up the 2025 Dallas Cowboys draft class. So it's inevitably the time of the year where we grade each of the nine picks made by Will McClay and Co.
Disclaimer: Yes, it's true we won't know how these players will turn out until at least a few years from now. But that shouldn't stop us from talking football.
Let's dive in.
Round 1, Pick 12 overall: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Most complaints about this pick are all about the Cowboys passing on other needs. That shouldn't matter when it comes to grading the pick. Dallas went for their best player available and Booker has some of the most dominant tapes in this year's class.
The Cowboys have described Booker as an immediate starter at right guard and for good reason: He was an impressive pass pro lineman at Alabama, allowing two sacks in over 1,000 career pass blocking snaps and he's a mauler in the run game. The cherry on top? Will McClay compared his grades and leadership to Zack Martin in 2014.
GRADE: B+
Round 2, Pick 44 overall: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
Ezeiruaku was 29th in the consensus board and A to Z Sports projected him to go 35th overall. The value is great and the Cowboys get someone who is NFL-ready thanks to polished technique as a pass rusher. Expect him to compete with Marshawn Kneeland and Dante Fowler Jr. for the starting job alongside Micah Parsons. He'll be on the field often as a rookie.
GRADE: A-
Round 3, Pick 76 overall: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
The only reason why this grade isn't an A is Revel's injury concerns. Not only did his season come to an end in 2024 due to a torn ACL, but he's had multiple injuries throughout his career. With that being said, when healthy, Revel projects like an immediate NFL starter thanks to his size, length, and physicality in press coverage.
Last year, the Cowboys stole a starter in the third round in the shape of Cooper Beebe. While Trevon Diggs comes back from injury, can Revel Jr. be the same? He's expected to be ready to go in July, which would make this a steal.
GRADE: B+
Round 5, Pick 149 overall: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
According to Nick Harris from DallasCowboys.com, some people in the Cowboys organization had Blue as their third best running back in the class. The big reason why is explosion and big-play ability, which the team's offense was seriously lacking.
Blue fumbled five times in 2024 and his size will likely keep him from taking on a huge chunk of snaps. But Klayton Adams wants explosive runs so you can expect him to get on the field.
GRADE: B-
Round 5, Pick 152 overall: Shemar James, LB, Florida
James was ranked outside the Top 200 in the consensus board but he's an athletic player that's still 20 years old. James' football IQ is still developing but he's a rangy player with speed and violence on film. Matt Eberflus is known as a coach who develops linebackers left and right so this is a great landing spot for the former Gator.
GRADE: B-
Round 6, Pick 204 overall: Ajani Cornelius, OG, Oregon
Cornelius' calling card at the NFL level will be his play strength. He will probably move from tackle to guard with the Cowboys and will add competition to a crowded interior linemen room.
GRADE: B
Round 7, Pick 217 overall: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
Not only is Toia someone many analysts had ranked higher in their draft boards but he addresses one of the Cowboys' most underrated needs: Nose tackle competition for Mazi Smith.
GRADE: B+
Round 7, Pick 239 overall: Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
If healthy from a 2024 shoulder injury that clearly impacted his play, Mafah is someone who could very well end up with a significant role on a committee room. He's not that fast but his patience, power, and physicality make him a strong option for the offense in early downs. The problem is he isn't much of a factor in the passing game. But I'd expect him to carve out a role for himself on offense early on.
GRADE: B+
Round 7, Pick 247 overall: Tommy Akingbesote, DT, Maryland
Graded by most analysts as a UDFA, this pick was probably more about securing the player and not having to fight for him post-draft.
GRADE: C+
Final Draft grade: B+
By sticking to their board, the Cowboys nabbed Day 2 players that can realistically start as rookies or at least have big roles on defense in the case of Ezeiruaku and Revel Jr. In Day 3, the Cowboys' couple of running backs could very well be the ones who spearhead the RB room, complementing each other with different play styles. It was a solid draft, even though the team's wide receiver need was completely neglected. Let's see what the front office does to make that right.
