2025 Draft Class, things I liked, things I didn't!

[reddyuta]

you have to trust their process of BPA which they were not following the previous 2 years and we ended up with disastrous drafts.

 

[CCBoy]

Overall, the Cowboys’ 2025 draft class appears to be a calculated effort to strengthen key areas while taking measured risks on skill position players with potential upside.

The success of this approach will largely depend on the development of these late-round selections and the immediate contributions of their early-round linemen.

https://insidethestar.com/cowboys-2025-draft-was-one-of-the-best-but-skill-players-still-lack

 

[Verdict]

I think for the first time in years that the Cowboys did a good job of just following their draft board and not reaching for need. The exception to that rule might be the Florida linebacker. They either really love that player or they panicked there.

I love the building of the trenches on both sides. Not only does it signal more running the ball which has to happen since Dak is just a mediocre bus driver, but it helps negate a major advantage of superior DL on other teams in the division.

I think Shotty was patient and got the Jones Boys to stick to the draft board. That’s something that hasn’t happened here in a long time.

 

[CCBoy]

Left Guards

LG1 Tyler Smith

LG2 Saahdiq Charles

LG3 TJ Bass

LG4 Anaji Cornelius

Right Guards

RG1 Tyler Booker

RG2 Robert Jones

RG3 Hakeem Adeniji

RG4 Jack Anderson

 

[CCBoy]

Eyeball test

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

 

[cnuball21]

you have to trust their process of BPA which they were not following the previous 2 years and we ended up with disastrous drafts.

You cant sell me on BPA when we drafted a G at 12 who was ranked 28th on the consensus big board.

 

[Creeper]

My goal for this year's draft was to help the run defense and get more explosive on offense. Didn't accomplish this, but it doesn't mean it was a terrible draft either:

-Things I liked

Adding a legitimate #2 pass rusher. We haven't drafted a player this advanced as a pass rusher in years. To think the rush packages we can now put together is very intriguing.

Drafting a potential #1 CB. Yes, there is some risk taking a player coming off of an acl injury, but if healthy gives the team a lot of flexibility for the future. Keep in mind, Bland is a fa after the season. Don't care if he comes back slowly as we have him for 4 seasons.

Blue is a legitimate, explosive, homerun type of back. Has to get better protecting the football, but he potentially becomes our new Pollard/Felix Jones. When you watch him play, he give off Gibbs vibes to me, although not as talented. He also like that they paired him with a power back late. They are in good shape at the position with multiple options.

Drafted a true, massive run NT. I think he is better that that Kentucky NT we drafted late a few years back and might be that space eater we desperately need.

-Things I disliked

Using a top 15 pick on a Guard. This has nothing to do with the player, but they really to come away with a #2 receiver. I said for weeks, if they don't take one early, probably better off not taking one at all. Was there a huge hole at RG? Think they has some solid options and could of taken a Guard later.

Why trade up for a linebacker that has questionable instincts and lack of size? Our only hope is that Eberflus is good at developing the position. We has similar concerns with Marist last yr, but he played better then we originally thought.

Not a fan of the Right Tackle drafted, I guess you never have enough offensive lineman, especially at the tackle position.

Final Thoughts

I was expecting a 2-3 rebuild as all needs couldn't be addressed in one draft class. They potentially added 4 future starters, which in any draft class means that it was successful. Yes, we need another receiver, but a short-term solution can be found. Think next year, receiver remains a top need, with Safety, Linebacker and still more help inside the DL.

My early grade would be a C+ as they did land a few day 1 starters that should help, but didn't do enough to help their run defense and address the #2 WR position.
.

Ezeiruaku is a smaller, smarter version of Sam Williams. If Williams. If Williams had a brain, he would be much better than Ezeiruaku. It will be interesting to see how they use Williams, Kneeland, Fowler and Ezeiruaku.

I agree with you about the guard. That was a reach pick. I would have preferred a difference maker there.

I liked that they picked 2 RBs and 2 DTs. I would have liked to see them make those picks sooner.

 

[reddyuta]

You cant sell me on BPA when we drafted a G at 12 who was ranked 28th on the consensus big board.

by all accounts he was BPA on our board.

 

[Cowboyny]

Ezeiruaku is a smaller, smarter version of Sam Williams. If Williams. If Williams had a brain, he would be much better than Ezeiruaku. It will be interesting to see how they use Williams, Kneeland, Fowler and Ezeiruaku.

I agree with you about the guard. That was a reach pick. I would have preferred a difference maker there.

I liked that they picked 2 RBs and 2 DTs. I would have liked to see them make those picks sooner.

They have to make it a priority to fix their run defense, not just in the draft but also in fa. We hear every year that they want to fix their run defense, but do nothing about it

 

[baltcowboy]

My goal for this year's draft was to help the run defense and get more explosive on offense. Didn't accomplish this, but it doesn't mean it was a terrible draft either:

-Things I liked

Adding a legitimate #2 pass rusher. We haven't drafted a player this advanced as a pass rusher in years. To think the rush packages we can now put together is very intriguing.

Drafting a potential #1 CB. Yes, there is some risk taking a player coming off of an acl injury, but if healthy gives the team a lot of flexibility for the future. Keep in mind, Bland is a fa after the season. Don't care if he comes back slowly as we have him for 4 seasons.

Blue is a legitimate, explosive, homerun type of back. Has to get better protecting the football, but he potentially becomes our new Pollard/Felix Jones. When you watch him play, he give off Gibbs vibes to me, although not as talented. He also like that they paired him with a power back late. They are in good shape at the position with multiple options.

Drafted a true, massive run NT. I think he is better that that Kentucky NT we drafted late a few years back and might be that space eater we desperately need.

-Things I disliked

Using a top 15 pick on a Guard. This has nothing to do with the player, but they really to come away with a #2 receiver. I said for weeks, if they don't take one early, probably better off not taking one at all. Was there a huge hole at RG? Think they has some solid options and could of taken a Guard later.

Why trade up for a linebacker that has questionable instincts and lack of size? Our only hope is that Eberflus is good at developing the position. We has similar concerns with Marist last yr, but he played better then we originally thought.

Not a fan of the Right Tackle drafted, I guess you never have enough offensive lineman, especially at the tackle position.

Final Thoughts

I was expecting a 2-3 rebuild as all needs couldn't be addressed in one draft class. They potentially added 4 future starters, which in any draft class means that it was successful. Yes, we need another receiver, but a short-term solution can be found. Think next year, receiver remains a top need, with Safety, Linebacker and still more help inside the DL.

My early grade would be a C+ as they did land a few day 1 starters that should help, but didn't do enough to help their run defense and address the #2 WR position.
.

So if they drafted Grant at 12 instead of Booker would the draft be an “A” from you.

 

[cnuball21]

by all accounts he was BPA on our board.

On the Cowboys board probably so…I’m sure he was in their top 5 and was the steal
of the draft.

Most of the rest of the world disagrees.

 

[cnuball21]

So if they drafted Grant at 12 instead of Booker would the draft be an “A” from you.

If we were going to reach I much would’ve rather done so at a premium position or a big need position.

Not my top choice but I definitely would’ve talent Grant instead of Booker.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Now that I've calmed down abit, I'm pretty high on our first 3 picks.
While I would have liked to go a different direction. I have come around on Booker and have no problem with his pick after Tet was already gone. Good pivot, and thinking it thru - they played the long game by taking him.
Strong like bull, smart as all get out, and supposedly was a team captain and motivator for Alabama.
Will be eager to watch if he is a Michael Irvin type as a leader. Interior line is now rock solid and as our RG hopefully for the next 10 years or so, we will have both guards be the face and force of this Oline.

Once he learns his playbook at this level, he should be able to help both Center and RT as needed. Steele is a better run blocker than pass protection, with Booker inside him that side should be solid.
And if his leadership skills are what they have been raving about, maybe he can get Guyton on point as well.
More on the rest later.

 

[baltcowboy]

If we were going to reach I much would’ve rather done so at a premium position or a big need position.

Not my top choice but I definitely would’ve talent Grant instead of Booker.

Booker fills a need as well. We need to run the football as much as we need to stop the run. Martin was bad the last two seasons. I think we fans seem to forget that.

 

[Creeper]

They have to make it a priority to fix their run defense, not just in the draft but also in fa. We hear every year that they want to fix their run defense, but do nothing about it

It occurred to me that maybe they think the run defense does not need top tier DTs. Doesn't seem likely but with team anything is possible.

 

[phildadon86]

Something people are massively overlooking with the early guard pick is the unique situation we’re in.

Combo of Z Martin retiring, new coaching staff emphasizing smash mouth football, draft with low depth at OL, it was the correct pick.

Situations matter - forcing a WR pick (Golden) over interior OL pick makes this team look completely different & not matching the identity this franchise/coaching staff want which is pounding the rock.

Also look at our division/top teams in the NFL, all built thru the trenches. Great draft Dallas.

Smash mouth football?

With blue?

Or Williams and miles sanders?

You can’t preach smash mouth football and not take the RB position seriously.

 

[cnuball21]

Booker fills a need as well. We need to run the football as much as we need to stop the run. Martin was bad the last two seasons. I think we fans seem to forget that.

We have 2 young OL players that showed a lot of promise last year and we signed a FA G. Notice how the run game got better when Martin was out last year?

Heading into the draft I’d say Guard was waaaaaaaay down on the needs list unless the value was way too good to pass up.

Booker doesn’t come close to meeting that criteria for me.

 

[cnuball21]

Smash mouth football?

With blue?

Or Williams and miles sanders?

You can’t preach smash mouth football and not take the RB position seriously.

If Williams can be 100% healthy this year he runs very hard and is a physical RB.

I think he can be that guy if the blocking is good enough.

Blue also plays bigger than his size.

 

[baltcowboy]

We have 2 young OL players that showed a lot of promise last year and we signed a FA G. Notice how the run game got better when Martin was out last year?

Heading into the draft I’d say Guard was waaaaaaaay down on the needs list unless the value was way too good to pass up.

Booker doesn’t come close to meeting that criteria for me.

Booker moves people. He was drafted to run the football. Doesn’t mean we will run the football all the time but the Cowboys run offense has been bad since San Francisco exposed us several years ago. A young line is always a great way to go. I will admit it was a safe choice.

 

[Pricedog]

It occurred to me that maybe they think the run defense does not need top tier DTs. Doesn't seem likely but with team anything is possible.

It feels like this has been how they've approached the position for the last several years. With limited success. Doesn't help that the one time they reached to fill this need in the draft it's looking like that player might be a bust.