Which rookies will likely have impact this year?

[Bobhaze]

One of the unusual parts of the off-season doldrums - the time between draft and FA, OTAs, mini-camps and training camp is the glut of stories and speculation about the impact of rookies on the upcoming season. Fans typically assume most rookies will be better than they ever will be. That’s just what us fans do.

According to NFL stats in the last 25 years, only about 30% of all drafted players will make an NFL roster more than a year. Obviously rounds 1-3 selections which are Day 1 and Day 2 picks are locks. But Day 3 picks - rounds 4-7 are usually long shots statistically.

With that in mind, looking realistically at the Cowboys 2025 draft, which players will have a major impact this season? Here are our picks:

• 1st round Tyler Booker, G. He’s a lock as a starter and most likely to be an impact this season. IMPACT THIS YEAR
• 2nd rd Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE. I see Ezeiruaku as a rotational player who will makes some plays and perhaps show major development as the season goes on. SOME IMPACT THIS YEAR
• 3rd rd Shavon Revell- CB - coming off a major knee injury and having had some kind of off-season “setback” (whatever that means) makes me think Revell may not play much this year. NO IMPACT THIS YEAR
• 5th rd Jaydon Blue- RB- Blue is a speedy Swiss Army knife guy who will probably only get 8-12 touches a game but has big play capacity. Not a starter but will have immediate impact. IMPACT LIKELY
• 6th rd Shemar James, LB- probably will be a ST contributor without much impact. NO IMPACT.
• 6th rd Ajahni Cornelius T - deep backup swing T, definitely a project. NO IMPACT
• 7th rd Jay Toia, DT- a big body run stuffer, Toia is a long shot but with the Cowboys needing run defense help could be a rotational player with minimal impact. LONG SHOT IMPACT
• 7th rd Phil Mafah, RB - Mafah is a long shot because he probably won’t play STs. Probably a practice squad developmental player. NO IMPACT
• 7th rd Tommy Akingbesote, DT - a very long shot most likely to make the practice squad. NO IMPACT

So of the 9 players drafted, I see Booker, Ezeiruaku and Blue as being the most likely rookies to have a meaningful impact on this team in 2025. The 6th and 7th rounders despite our hopes are all by NFL standards developmental long shots. Revell has big upside but that depends on his knee recovery.

Who are your realistic impact rookies?

 

[Mr_437]

Good thread Haze.
Booker and EzeRauk are my impact rookies. Booker is a given. Eze has to fight for snaps, but I think Flus will deploy Parsons, Fowler and EZE in certain situations maximizing the pressure.

Revel may show something mid to late season, but I expect him to be buried on the depth chart if a veteran like Gilmore is signed. The rest of the rookies look like low impact guys that can learn and hopefully make a leap next season into serviceable players in some capacity.

 

[Pass2Run]

Revel being cleared for team activities is just that. Doesn't mean he excels at those activities, especially as a rookie coming into the league and coming off an injury.

 

[reddyuta]

EZe and Booker will be most impactful imo followed by Blue.I am hoping Toia can show something so he can make the team.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I'd imagine it's Booker and Eze but even with Eze with so many pass rushers it's hard to tell what impact he's gonna have. And I'd assume Blue will get some reps.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I'm going with Blue even if it is in a limited capacity. A true home run threat at RB is much needed, and if he can show that explosiveness early it's going to force teams to adjust to how they play the Cowboys.

I'm tempted to say Booker, but I worry that bad Tackle play could have a ripple effect that limits the upside of these interior guys.