Cowboys fans are divided as the 2025 rookie class stumbles halfway through the season, leaving critics and believers at a standstill.QQ
The Dallas Cowboys had nine draft picks back in April. Only three of them have had a noticeable impact on the team so far.
Unlike his two previous predecessors, first round pick Tyler Booker has had a solid year so far.
His only negative was a three-game stretch missed due to an ankle sprain.
But when he’s been on the field, he’s been solid at right guard. The same cannot be said about the first rounders from 2023 and 2024.
Tyler Guyton is already in jeopardy of losing his starting job for a second time in as many seasons.
Mazi Smith, the 2023 first rounder, was sent packing to New York in a trade last week.
Booker is the front-runner for offensive rookie of the year for Dallas. That’s by default, because the other three picks on offense have done next to nothing so far.
On the defensive side, defensive end Donovan Ezieruaku (2nd Round) and linebacker Shemar James (5th Round) have had strong seasons. Ezieruaku has a slight edge over James for the Cowboys top rookie on defense.
The First Three Picks
Booker (1st Round) has played in all 432 offensive snaps when he has played. Booker has another 30 snaps (18%) on special teams.
He has two holding penalties this year and Dallas is 2-4 when he starts.
Ezeiruaku (2nd Round) has played in all nine games and got his first start against Arizona.
In 319 defensive snaps (51.6%) for the season, he has two sacks, 20 tackles, six for a loss, and 10 QB hits. He’s added another 80 snaps (30.9%) on special teams.
Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (3rd Round) has spent the entire season so far on IR.
However, he may finally make his NFL debut this Monday night against the Raiders.
The Day 3 Rookies
Running back Jaydon Blue (5th Round) was expected to push free agent Javonte Williams for RB1 this fall. He has fallen woefully short of that goal.
Blue has only played in four games and has 65 yards on 22 carries.
He has one catch for five yards and is still looking for his first NFL touchdown.
James (5th Round) has played in the last six games after being inactive for the first three. He has started the last four.
James has a sack, and a forced fumble on the same play, along with 49 tackles, two for a loss.
He also has four QB hits in 330 snaps (77%) on defense and another 50 snaps on special teams (28%). James has allowed 20 completions on 24 targets for 185 yards and two touchdowns, however.
Offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (6th Round) has played in one game, at the NY Jets, and saw just seven snaps on special teams.
Defensive tackle Jay Toia (7th Round) has played in four games. Toia has three tackles and one QB hit in 77 defensive snaps (29%) and 22 snaps (20%) on special teams.
Running back Phil Mafah (7th Round) looked very promising in the preseason, but was sidelined by an injury in the final preseason contest.
He has been on IR all year.
Defensive back Trikweze Bridges was drafted in the seventh round by the Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas traded for him just before the regular season began.
He has been active for all nine games and started against Denver. He played 48 snaps (76.2%) and had 4 tackles, two passes defended and an interception against the Broncos.
For the season, Bridges has 13 tackles on 134 snaps (21.7%) on defense, and another 78 snaps (30.1%) on special teams.
The Cowboys’ final pick of the draft, defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote (7th Round) was cut before the regular season.
The Undrafted Rookies
Cornerback Alijah Clark missed the Monday night loss to Arizona with a rib injury. He had been active for the four games prior.
Clark has 11 tackles, six against Denver in his first NFL start, and allowed a catch for 16 yards on three targets in 33 snaps vs. Broncos out of 38 total for the year.
He has played another 50 snaps on special teams.
Defensive back Zion Childress started the year on the Cowboys’ practice squad, was signed by the Texans, and then re-signed by Dallas on November 4th.
Receiver Traeshon Holden, tight end Rivaldo Fairweather, and linebacker Justin Barron have all spent the year on the practice squad.
