Dallas Cowboys Rookie Forecast 2025

Cowboys Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Donovan Ezeiruaka, DE, Boston College – Round 2

There were a lot of projections of the 6-foot-2, 248-pound Ezeiruaka going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The dynamic pass rusher dominated the ACC in 2024, racking up 16.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 80 tackles, one pass batted, and three forced fumbles. However, Ezeiruaka is undersized for a pro edge defender, and that caused him to slide to the second day of the draft.

For the NFL, Ezeiruaka is a natural quarterback hunter with serious pass rush ability. Ezeiruaka is quick off the ball and has enough speed to get around the corner. While he is not Von Miller fast or explosive, Ezeiruaka has a burst to close and can win with speed. Ezeiruaka has long arms (34 inches), and he uses his length well to keep tackles at a distance and keep them from getting into his chest to latch onto him. With his long arms and active hands, Ezeiruaka has a very effective swim and arm-over move to get on the edge of tackles and then charge past them. He also throws in a dangerous spin move, so tackles have to be prepared for a variety in pass rushing moves from Ezeiruaka. In pursuit, Ezeiruaka can break down in space and adjust to the quarterback. He won’t ever have a dominant bull rush as a pro at his size, but he has a developed repertoire of moves and ways to win. Ezeiruaka has double-digit sack potential as a pro edge rusher.

As a run defender, Ezeiruaka is always going to have some limitations in the NFL. While he is strong for his size and battles tough, Ezeiruaka is undersized and will be giving up 50-90 pounds versus pro offensive tackles. Ezeiruaka can get engulfed with mass and overwhelmed by bigger, stronger tackles. Hence, he is a tweener as an outside linebacker/defensive end. Ezeiruaka may end up becoming a starting Strongside linebacker who moves to end in the subpackage.

The Cowboys signed Dante Fowler Jr from Washington, but he is not a long-term starter, and they need a pass rusher to emerge across from Micah Parsons. After a year developing, Ezeiruaka could take over as that end, and I think he will quickly become a solid starter for Dallas to pair with Parsons.

2024: Cooper Beebe, C
2023: DeMarvion Overshown, LB
2022: Jalen Tolbert, WR
2021: Micah Parsons, LB
2020: Trevon Diggs, CB
2019: Connor McGovern, G
2018: Leighton Vander Esch, LB
2017: Jourdan Lewis, CB
2016: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
2015: Chazz Green, OT
2014: Zack Martin, G
2013: Travis Frederick, C

Most Likely To Bust

The Cowboys were without a fourth-round pick, and I do not think that any of their day one or two picks will be busts. Players drafted on day three aren’t real busts if they don’t stick in the NFL, as the vast majority of day three picks do not make it as professionals. Thus, I don’t see a player with true bust potential from the Cowboys’ draft class.

2024: Marshawn Kneeland, DE
2023: Luke Schoonmaker, TE
2022: Sam Williams, DE
2021: Nashon Wright, CB
2020: Tyler Biadasz, C
2019: Michael Jackson, CB
2018: Connor Williams, OT
2017: Chidobe Awuzie, CB
2016: Dak Prescott, QB
2015: Randy Gregory, DE
2014: Anthony Hitchens, LB
2013: Gavin Escobar, TE

Potential Boom Pick

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama – Round 1

Across the scouting community, Booker was loved as a prospect. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder was dominant at Alabama over the last three seasons and was viewed as one of the safest prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. While guards are not typically taken in the top 12, Dallas fell in love with Booker and added him to their talented young offensive line.

As a run blocker, Booker has heavy hands with sheer power at the point of attack to generate movement. Booker can latch onto defensive tackles and use his strength to manipulate them out of their gap. Finding nasty bullies up front is getting more difficult as the uptempo and spread offense has changed the game, and Booker is a rare college blocker who enters the NFL with a mean streak to set a physical tone at the point of attack. Booker blocks through the whistle, pushes defenders around, buries them into the ground, and finishes them off with violence. Booker has developed strength to push defenders out of their gap and open holes in the ground game. Booker is going to be a load as a run blocker and a real asset in short-yardage or goal-line situations, as his team should have a lot of success running behind him. As a pro, Booker should be a real asset as a run blocker.

In pass protection, Booker has a strong anchor and can stand up bull rushers. Booker uses his strong hands and big mass to sustain blocks well. His power helps him to recover by jarring defenders off their rush, allowing Booker to regroup and tie them up. Fast interior defensive tackles or defensive ends that move inside in passing situations could give Booker problems early in his NFL career, but over time, he should be a steady pass protector.

Booker should be a plug-and-play starter in Dallas, and he should immediately improve the Cowboys’ ability to run the football. If Booker plays up to his ability, Dallas could have the best guard tandem in the NFL with Tyler Smith at left guard. The third Tyler, 2024 first-round pick at left tackle, Tyler Guyton, gives the Cowboys a talented young offensive line with size, strength, and athleticism. Booker may have been a reach to some, but he could pay immediate dividends to help keep Dak Prescott healthy and improve Dallas’ ability to field an effective ground offense in 2025. I think early in his pro career, Booker could be one of the best guards in the NFL and a perennial pro-bowler.

2024: Tyler Guyton, OT
2023: None
2022: Tyler Smith, CB
2021: Kelvin Joseph, CB
2020: CeeDee Lamb, WR
2019: Trysten Hill, DT
2018: Dorance Armstrong, DE
2017: Taco Charlton, DE
2016: Jaylon Smith, LB
2015: Byron Jones, S
2014: DeMarcus Lawrence, DE
2013: Terrance Williams, WR

Future Depth Player

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas – Round 5

The Cowboys had a big hole at running back, and signed some cheap veteran castoffs in free agency with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither one is a long-term starter, and Dallas surprisingly did not use an early-round selection on a running back. They added Blue in the fifth round, and that was a nice value selection. Blue showed some speed and natural running ability in his final season with Texas. Blue (5-9, 190) is undersized to become a three-down starting back in the NFL, but he could be a nice backup who contributes in the passing game. Last season, he had 42 catches for 368 yards and six scores through the air. Blue could be a solid No. 2 back as a pro, providing valuable depth for Dallas.

2024: Caelen Carson, CB
2023: Deuce Vaughn, RB
2022: Jake Ferguson, TE
2021: Jabril Cox, LB
2020: Bradley Anae, DE
2019: Tony Pollard, RB
2018: Michael Gallup, WR
2017: Ryan Switzer, WR
2016: Charles Tapper, DE
2015: Damien Wilson, LB
2014: Ben Gardner, DE
2013: Joseph Randle, RB