How Dallas Cowboys rookies performed in the preseason: Will they make the team?

With training camp and the preseason now in the books, it’s a good time to take a look at the Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 rookie class.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first class has seen some big moments on both sides of the ball during the offseason, and a lot of trust will be put into top players in the class going into the season, such as first-round pick Tyler Booker.

Here is how each draft pick and a select few undrafted players have performed through the offseason program and preseason, and where they project going into the season.

G Tyler Booker (first round, No. 12 overall)

The reviews on first-round pick Tyler Booker continue to be strong. Booker will be the starting right guard for the Cowboys, stepping into the large shoes left by future Hall of Famer Zack Martin after his retirement this offseason.

Booker saw his only preseason action in the second exhibition against the Baltimore Ravens, and he didn’t allow a quarterback pressure in 15 pass blocking snaps.

QUOTE: “He plays with length. He plays with power. Really good communicator with what he sees when he comes off the field based on adjustments and different things. The biggest thing is that I’m not surprised with his run blocking. Some of the pass protection with his length and hand usage is very exciting. He’s a guy that gives you everything he’s got in and out every day at practice.” — Schottenheimer

DE Donovan Ezeiruaku (second round, No. 44 overall)

It was revealed during training camp that Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton was fighting for the team to select Donovan Ezeiruaku in the first round after he fell in love with the player during the draft process. He didn’t get his wish, but his praise made it a no-brainer to select Ezeiruaku when he was on the board at No. 44.

In training camp, Whitecotton’s evaluation has garnered an early stamp of approval, as the Boston College product has been a pass rush weapon, consistent run defender and even a pass defender dropping in coverage. His versatility and athleticism has the staff excited about his role as a rotational pass rusher in 2025.

QUOTE: “He’s a mature young man. Integrating himself into a professional atmosphere has been pretty seamless. ... There were 2-3 games at Boston College where he ended games with sacks. That’s what you need in the NFL.” — Whitecotton

CB Shavon Revel Jr. (third round, No. 76 overall)

It’s been a tough first offseason for Shavon Revel Jr., as he is still rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in his senior season at East Carolina in 2024.

Revel was initially expected to be cleared in time to participate in some fashion during training camp and the preseason, but he suffered a setback during the team’s time in Oxnard that will keep him out through the start of the season. His exact timeline is uncertain, but he is expected to make it back on the field at some point this season.

QUOTE: “He had a little swelling [in camp], but he’s doing really good now. I’m not going to put a timeline on him, but I think he’s back to where we kind of want him to be. The thing that’s been fun to me is watching how Trevon [Diggs] has been leaning into him. He understands that he’s not getting the physical reps and that there’s things to be learning.” — Schottenheimer

RB Jaydon Blue (fifth round, No. 149 overall)

After starting camp as the running back with easily the most juice and speed on the roster, Jaydon Blue was hampered by an ankle/heel injury that kept him out of the first two preseason games and the final handful of practices of training camp.

Blue made his return in the final exhibition and ran the ball nine times for 25 yards and a touchdown in his team debut. Although he said he was fine after the game, he did exit late with yet another ankle injury and did not return.

How the depth chart plays out at the running back spot will be a big question mark going into cutdown day, but Blue figures to factor into the mix at the top for a feature role in the offense.

QUOTE: “The quickness and the ability to accelerate in the hole, I keep going back to that. He’s got incredible lateral agility and quickness. When he jump-cuts, he’s able to get to top speed in a hurry. He doesn’t need a lot of space. He reminds me, the quickness and acceleration, of Darren Sproles. And I don’t use that lightly.” — Schottenheimer

LB Shemar James (fifth round, No. 152 overall)

The consistency that Shemar James has displayed in his rookie training camp and preseason has caught the attention of the coaching staff, as he figures to factor in as a rotational linebacker — specifically on passing downs — in his first season.

In the preseason, he has flashed with his lateral movement in pass coverage with an interception against the Falcons as well as stepping up and being disciplined in run gaps. For a linebacker room that has seen a lot of turnover this offseason, James has been a welcome addition.

QUOTE: “In this day and age, you have two linebackers that play predominantly most of the game because of all the nickels and stuff, so they have to be able to cover. They have to be able to pressure the quarterback. This kid plays like he loves the game of football and there’s no turning down anything. He’s running a hundred miles an hour.” — vice president of player personnel Will McClay

OT Ajani Cornelius (sixth round, No. 204 overall)

Of all of the rookies, Ajani Cornelius was close to the top early on as far as having a few rough days. After some inconsistent play, Cornelius was kicked out of a practice for fighting.

But once the preseason began, Cornelius came on strong, specifically in pass protection. In 38 pass protection snaps in the first two preseason games, Cornelius did not allow a quarterback pressure, keeping clean pockets for backup quarterback Joe Milton.

QUOTE: “He’s an offensive lineman that has the ability to swing. I think in the NFL nowadays we really cross-train guys to give you flexibility on the offense, and you got to have the ability to do that. We think he can go inside as well as play outside.” — McClay

DT Jay Toia (seventh round, No. 217 overall)

The run defense is one of the bigger questions on the entire roster going into 2025, and Jay Toia has the potential to be the answer if he steps forward early in the season. The Cowboys are desperate for a talented body at the 1-Technique position, and Toia’s 335-pound frame provides a large presence.

Moving forward, it’s about Toia using that size with lateral agility to clog up running lanes, which he flashed at times in the three preseason games. Consider Toia a safe bet to be on the roster, but he will have to show he can be a reliable run defender.

QUOTE: “He’s figuring out the attack front. He’s a really large man that has played really, really well. We’re getting a good evaluation.” — Schottenheimer

RB Phil Mafah (seventh round, No. 239 overall)

The running back position remains up for grabs going into cutdown day, but it seems as though Phil Mafah is on the outside looking in with just so many spots to go around.

The Clemson product’s physicality certainly stands out, but it hasn’t proved to be something that can be a deciding factor in a running back room that brings various traits to the table. If he does make the roster, Mafah has shown that he can provide special teams value, and it could be a big deciding factor at the end of the day.

QUOTE: “I think watching him throughout training camp, when the pads come on you see something. He plays fast, he’s got a little bit of a slasher to him. I thought he did a lot of good things.” — offensive coordinator Klayton Adams

DT Tommy Akingbesote (seventh round, No. 247 overall)

The final draft pick in the class, Tommy Akingbesote, hasn’t gotten many reps with the second-team unit through training camp and preseason and figures to be a lock to begin his career on the practice squad. The coaching staff can develop him to potentially factor into a rotation in 2026 and beyond, but some cleaning up in his run game work will need to be done.

Notable undrafted free agents

Cornerback Zion Childress is in contention to not only make the roster, but to start in Week 1 at the slot position alongside DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam. His man coverage ability paired with his instincts to step up in the run game have provided the defense with some electric moments in the preseason and training camp. In the final handful of practices, Childress began playing a healthy amount of time with the first-team unit.

Wide receiver Traeshon Holden has been one of the training camp darlings with his electric catches and smooth route-running ability. While he’s not expected to make the roster due to a lack of special teams experience, Holden feels like a strong candidate to factor into the mix in 2026 and beyond if he makes it to the practice squad without another team claiming him.

Tight end Rivaldo Fairweather has been one of the more intriguing late risers in the rookie class, as he went from relatively unknown to getting first-team snaps in the span of a couple of weeks. Fairweather caught the first touchdown of the preseason from Milton and hauled in an impressive 25-yard grab in Friday’s final preseason game. He is in the mix to make the bottom of the roster, but it will be close with guys like Luke Schoonmaker and Princeton Fant.