The 2025 NFL Draft officially concluded, and the Dallas Cowboys added nine rookies to their roster across the seven rounds.
Although the Cowboys were far from perfect in this draft, many of the players selected should contribute to the team early in their careers, with multiple players having the potential to see the field in their rookie seasons.
Here are The Dallas Express’ full grades for all nine of the Cowboys’ draft selections are below:
Tyler Booker, Guard, Alabama: B
Dallas used its first selection of the 2025 NFL Draft in a move that should immediately improve the offensive line. Booker was the best pure guard in the entire draft and could become a starter for the Cowboys by Week 1, meaning this selection cannot be looked upon too harshly.
Booker is unathletic compared to many of his peers, but he plays with an aggression that cannot be taught, and he already possesses many of the necessary skills to be a high-level guard in the league.
Although it would have been nice for the Cowboys to select an offensive skill position player, the draft board did not have many options available at this point in the draft. A defensive player also would have been nice to add early in the draft, but Dallas is quickly improving at a position of need following the retirement of Zack Martin.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College: A+
Dallas got a steal by Ezeiruaku early in the second round of the draft, with many believing the defensive end would have been selected at some point in the middle of the first round.
Ezeiruaku already has an array of pass-rush moves that he used to dominate his competition in college. While he may be slightly undersized for the position, he is incredibly athletic and should not take long to transition into the NFL.
As previously predicted by The Dallas Express, Ezeiruaku was projected to be selected near the end of the first round, making the Cowboys’ second-round selection a steal in comparison. These selections should excite Cowboys fans for the future of this defensive unit under new Defensive Coordinator Matt Eberflus.
Shavon Revel Jr., Cornerback, East Carolina: A+
This is yet another move in which Dallas chooses to select the best player available at the time, as many expected Revel to be selected either late in the first round or early in the second round.
Revel reportedly fell due to concerns about his injury history, though many had him graded as one of the highest cornerbacks in the draft. Revel excels at press coverage and is expected to be fully healthy by the beginning of training camp, which makes him a potential starter in Week 1 with Trevon Diggs expected to miss time to start the season.
Many Cowboys fans were likely disappointed at the lack of offensive skill positions selected in the first three rounds, but the value of picking up one of the best cornerbacks available was likely too good to pass up for the Cowboys.
Jaydon Blue, Running Back, Texas: B-
The Cowboys finally invested in a running back in the fifth round by selecting Blue out of Texas. Blue is an incredibly quick back who will likely be used for a change of pace. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and displayed his quickness throughout his final college season at Texas.
Blue fumbled four times last season for the Longhorns and will have to work on holding onto the ball more consistently, but that is a trait that should come with more experience and strength at the position.
Regardless, Dallas’ selection of an explosive player in the fifth round is still very solid for a team desperate for playmakers.
Shemar James, Linebacker, Florida: B
James is an experienced linebacker who can play both downhill and in pass coverage. He would be a solid addition to a linebacker room that is expected to be without Demarvion Overshown for a significant amount of time next year.
The former Florida Gator logged over 1,200 snaps over the past three seasons and played the majority of these snaps in pass coverage, though he has the necessary athleticism to grow into a solid pass rusher in blitz packages.
Dallas is looking for a bounce-back from James following a down year in his final season with the Gators, but that is not an uncommon outcome for many players transitioning into the NFL.
James missed 13 tackles in his final season at Florida, but with the right coaching, he could become a consistent player for the Cowboys.
Ajani Cornelius, Offensive Tackle, Oregon: C+
Dallas once again invested in the offensive line with its second selection in the fifth round, selecting Cornelius with a pick that seems somewhat confusing after investing heavily in the first round.
Cornelius is a solid player who could become a contributor within the next few seasons, but this selection felt like the time to invest in an additional pass catcher. Multiple pass catchers were selected to finish this round, and Cornelius will likely start the season buried on the Cowboys’ depth chart.
This move was a solid selection for the future, but it also raises questions about how much the Cowboys actually trust the current offensive linemen on the team.
Jay Toia, Defensive Tackle, UCLA: B+
The Cowboys clearly focused on investing in the trenches, and adding a defensive tackle was absolutely necessary at some point in the draft.
Dallas struggled all season to stop the run, and Toia is a fantastic run defender at 6-foot-3 and 325 pounds, though he struggles at times to consistently beat his man during passing sets.
The Cowboys will have to work on developing pass rush moves to add to Toia’s repertoire, but this late-round selection could solve an immediate need for this team entering the 2025 season.
Phil Mafah, Running Back, Clemson: B
Dallas added a second running back late in the draft to strengthen the overall position once again. Mafah is a very different type of player than those currently on the roster.
Mafah is a solid power back who could be utilized well in short-yardage situations, meaning he could see the field early in his career on late downs or in the red zone. Although Mafah is not a running back who will be on the field for every situation, he could play a vital role for the team early in his career.
Picking up a potential contributor in the seventh round makes this a very solid selection for a team that had a solid draft as a whole.
Tommy Akingbesote, Defensive Tackle, Maryland: B-
Dallas double dips at defensive tackle to close out the 2025 NFL Draft and selects Akingbesote, who stands at 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds and projects as a solid run defender in the future.
Akingbesote will not be expected to contribute in his rookie season and might not even make the final roster with the various other additions on the defensive line, but adding another potential depth piece should not be overlooked heading into next season.
Injuries can take down any team in the league, and adding a player who should be able to hold his own on running-downs is never a bad strategy.