Dallas Cowboys fans did not know what to expect going into the 2025 NFL Draft. That anxiousness wasn’t necessarily quelled when they used the No. 12 pick on Alabama guard Tyler Booker, but by the end of Day 3 they assembled one of the best draft classes of any team.
Whether or not Dallas took a wide receiver, they had to come out of the weekend with multiple impact players.
In addition to Booker, who fills a gaping hole at right guard following Zack Martin retirement, DE Donovan Ezeiruaku (second round), CB Shavon Revel (round three), RBs Jaydon Blue (fifth) and Phil Mafah (seventh), and DT Jay Toia (seventh) should all see the field in year one.
Needless to say the Cowboys’ roster, while imperfect, is in a much better place relative to this time last year.
Dallas Cowboys 53-man roster prediction following 2025 NFL Draft
Quarterback (3): Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, Will Grier (emergency QB)
It will be interesting to see how the QB2 competition shakes out. While Grier is familiar with a lot of the roster from his initial Cowboys tenure, he was never active for a regular season game. Milton’s sheer upside should give him the inside track.
Running back (4): Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah, Hunter Luepke
This could be the most entertaining position battle when all is said and done. Blue is the closest thing to a roster lock and has the potential to make a huge impact as a rookie, but Brian Schottenheimer will likely want a veteran presence. That means one of Williams or Miles Sanders will make the team.
Wide receiver (5): CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert, Jonathan Mingo, KaVontae Turpin, Ryan Flournoy
We ultimately expect Dallas to keep six receivers. That sixth is a player to be named later as the team continues its search for a WR2. Amari Cooper’s name has been floated as a potential target. It goes without saying, but Cooper would give this room a huge jolt.
Tight end (3): Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford
Spann-Ford made the roster last season as an undrafted free agent and appeared in all 17 games. While still developing as a pass-catcher, Mike McCarthy used Spann-Ford a lot as an extra run blocker and we know Brian Schottenheimer wants to pound the rock.
Offensive line (10): Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, Asim Richards, Brock Hoffman, T.J. Bass, Ajani Cornelius, Saahdiq Charles
The depth of the offensive line is so much better on paper this season, which says a lot given Booker is stepping in at right guard for the great Zack Martin. The starting five is seemingly set in stone, while Richards could become the swing tackle with a strong offseason program.
Interior defensive line (5): Osa Odighizuwa, Mazi Smith, Solomon Thomas, Jay Toia, Tommy Akingbesote
You would love to see the front office sign someone who can play 15-20 snaps per game, similar to the role Linval Joseph had last season. That could put Akingbesote’s roster spot in jeopardy. Thomas and Toia are plug-and-play backups at the three-tech and one-tech spots behind Odighizuwa and Smith, respectively.
Defensive end (5): Micah Parsons, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dante Fowler, Marshawn Kneeland, Payton Turner,
Cowboys fans are excited about this group following the selection of Ezeiruaku in the second round, and rightly so. Fowler is coming off a career year in Washington, while Kneeland, already serviceable against the run, will hope to bring more of a pass-rushing element to his game in year two.
Linebacker (5): Marist Liufau, Kenneth Murray, Jack Sanborn, Shemar James, Damone Clark
DeMarvion Overshown wants to be ready for Week 1, but the assumption is he will start the season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. The wild card here is Murray, a former first-round pick, and how much he soaks in from linebacker whisperer Matt Eberflus.
Cornerback (6): DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Caelen Carson, Kemon Hall
Like Overshown, Trevon Diggs, recovering from knee surgery, starts the season on PUP in this exercise. Fans are eager for Mukuamu to get a longer look at cornerback, potentially even ahead of Carson, whose rookie year was hampered by injuries and inconsistent play.
The Cowboys are hopeful Revel, recovering from a torn ACL suffered last September, will be medically cleared for the start of training camp.
Safety (4): Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson, Juanyeh Thomas, Markquese Bell
Safety might be the easiest position group to project. Hooker and Wilson are locked in as the starters, though it would not surprise if Matt Eberflus wants to see more from Thomas and Bell, who, while not experienced, offer more athleticism and versatility.
Special teams (3): Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg
No surprises here. Brandon “Butter” Aubrey is the game’s best kicker and Anger had another strong season punting the football coming off an All-Pro 2023 campaign with 24 punts downed inside opponent’s 20-yard line.
