Chad Reuter expects LB Shemar James to be a starter

[Kwyn]

"Ezeiruaku projects as the next Demarcus Lawrence"

They are not at all similar. Where do they get these things?

I can only think he meant he would replace Demarcus Lawrence who was usually on the other side from Micah.

Still, yeah, they aren’t the same type of player

 

[Mr_437]

It's all on him. He's got to study and take to the coaching to have a chance. Truthfully, as much as I like his upside, I like Mongenson more. He's a young linebacker on special teams and he's Scrappy. I like our LB room.

Exactly. There are some guys who've been around that aren't going to be easy to overthrow.
Liaufa, Murray, Sanborn, Clark, Buddy, Darius, Morgensen, Shemar. Probably 5 guys battling for 2 spots.

 

[plymkr]

. I understood why they decided to trade up for James. I expect him to earn a starting role in Dallas.

Really! Wow! I am just hoping he contributes on STs but I hope he’s right. That’s a big boost if he’s right. I also am very excited about this draft.

 

[plymkr]

So if he has a good year does this draft grade go up?

That’s one question I want to ask. Also if Milton becomes anything more than a project does that improve our draft grade? Same rules should apply if we traded a 5th for a QB that may contribute.

 

[Rayman70]

"Ezeiruaku projects as the next Demarcus Lawrence"

They are not at all similar. Where do they get these things?

DLaw is nothing like this kid. I agree. Donovan will be better. But this kids game is much more as a bendy edge guy, sack artist that has a lot of tools in the tool bag. Hes a game wrecker. If anything, he's more like Ware or a guy we had here in the 90s, Tony Tolbert, but more bendy.

 

[Carter]

DLaw is nothing like this kid. I agree. Donovan will be better. But this kids game is much more as a bendy edge guy, sack artist that has a lot of tools in the tool bag. Hes a game wrecker. If anything, he's more like Ware or a guy we had here in the 90s, Tony Tolbert, but more bendy.

He reminds me of Randy Gregory and not D-Law. Probably is best as a standup 3-4 OLB though than a classic 4-3 DE. Him and Micah are a load on the pass rushing side. We also got Fowler who had 10 Sacks last year. Pass Rush should be a strenght of this team.

The downfall of this team will again be Rush Defense and Shemar James wont cut that. Hes too light and small to make much impact on run defense. Hes more of a sideline to sideline LB like Clark.

That being said. James was the #1 rated LB coming out of High School so the Talent must be there.

 

[mardwin]

Shemar James is a special teams player at best. He is an undersized LB just like Overshown . These smaller LBs working the middle are more prone to injury.

Navarro Bowman was 6'1 242LB
Sean Lee was 6'1 232LB
When both came out of college.

Shemar is 6'1 222LB there's frame for him to gain another 15lbs and he was a 3 year stater so that's something to value

 

[Coogiguy03]

They're gonna have to make one more trade for WR2

You're breaking my heart

 

[Coogiguy03]

Just remember when you watch Mingo. They got him for pick 114. He should contribute. They also got Milton, the Bills corner, and the Titans linebacker in this draft. 12 players, plus the undrafted free agents in this draft.

We got Lance with a 4th also and didn't let him play when we could have so what do you mean

 

[JW82]

You're breaking my heart

Unless maybe a decent one gets cut.
Wondering if one of the tampa guys might be available they have a bunch of quality receivers now.

 

[Rayman70]

He reminds me of Randy Gregory and not D-Law. Probably is best as a standup 3-4 OLB though than a classic 4-3 DE. Him and Micah are a load on the pass rushing side. We also got Fowler who had 10 Sacks last year. Pass Rush should be a strenght of this team.

The downfall of this team will again be Rush Defense and Shemar James wont cut that. Hes too light and small to make much impact on run defense. Hes more of a sideline to sideline LB like Clark.

That being said. James was the #1 rated LB coming out of High School so the Talent must be there.

We gonna have to count on late rounders at the DT position it appears. We need guys to play above and beyond at dt. It's alot to ask. But we found Jay Ratliffe in Rd 7 so it can be done. Not everyone can be a high pick. Good players have to be found in all rounds, including udfa

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Mentioned in his glowing grade for our draft.

https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-final-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

Dallas Cowboys
Grade
A-

Draft picks​

• Round 1 (No. 12): OG Tyler Booker, Alabama
• Round 2 (No. 44): Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
• Round 3 (No. 76): CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
• Round 5 (No. 149): RB Jaydon Blue, Texas
• Round 5 (No. 152): LB Shemar James, Florida
• Round 6 (No. 204): OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
• Round 7 (No. 217): DT Jay Toia, UCLA
• Round 7 (No. 239): RB Phil Mafah, Clemson
• Round 7 (No. 247): DT Tommy Akingbesote, Maryland

Grades​

• Day 1 grade: B+
• Day 2 grade:A-
• Day 3 grade: A-

Analysis:​

• The Cowboys bypassed the available offensive skill-position players and defensive talent at No. 12 to replace the retired Zack Martin with Booker. The former Alabama guard is a proven starter out of the SEC, but he did not impress in athletic testing this spring. Ezeiruaku projects as the next Demarcus Lawrence, while Revel could be a nice Day 2 find if he’s able to stay healthy (coming off an ACL tear).
• I dropped Dallas' grade slightly because they traded their fourth-round pick to Carolina for Jonathan Mingo last year, a move that has not paid off so far. They proved they could find running backs late, however, picking the speedy Blue in Round 5 and the strong Mafah in Round 7. I understood why they decided to trade up for James. I expect him to earn a starting role in Dallas. Cornelius could play guard or tackle for the Cowboys, while Toia and Akingbesote will help stop the run.

Well, it's not like we have a lot of depth at linebacker.

 

[Scotman]

His age makes me think he hasn't completely filled out yet. Someone mentioned he could add 15 pounds. That would still be a bit on the smaller size for a LB. But, it would make him a pretty large SS.

With his speed, is there a chance they are looking at this guy for a SS role...or hybrid LB/SS?

 

[chicago JK]

Cowboys have a shaky history of trading up for mid round guys. Although lets see if he is worth it. Saw he was a top recruit in his class. Top 20 I saw in one ranking. That doesn't mean much now.

I prefer using 4-6 round picks on non rushing linebackers. That position is a car crash position. I tend to not want to use premium picks on these players... unless they are truly special.

 

[Rayman70]

One DC YouTube channel content creator gave our draft a C. This dude was using logic that made no sense. At worst, we found 3 starters that move the needle, and a few core special teamers. At best, we found 3 starters and core players on defense AND all phases of the team. We did well. A for effort.