Complete Pick List
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Tyler Booker | G | Alabama |
| 2 | 44 | Donovan Ezeiruaku | EDGE | Boston College |
| 3 | 76 | Shavon Revel Jr. | CB | East Carolina |
| 5 | 149 | Jaydon Blue | RB | Texas |
| 5 | 152 | Shemar James | LB | Florida |
| 6 | 204 | Ajani Cornelius | OT | Oregon |
| 7 | 217 | Jay Toia | DT | UCLA |
| 7 | 239 | Phil Mafah | RB | Clemson |
| 7 | 247 | Tommy Akingbesote | DT | Maryland |
The Cowboys entered the 2025 NFL Draft with 10 picks and made nine selections after trading away their fourth-round pick in the 2024 Jonathan Mingo deal. Brian Schottenheimer’s first draft as head coach focused heavily on the trenches, with four offensive linemen and three defensive linemen among the selections.
Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Round 1, Pick 12: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
Measurables: 6-5, 325 lbs
The Cowboys addressed the hole left by Zack Martin’s retirement by selecting the best guard in the class. Booker was widely considered the safest pick at No. 12 with immediate starting ability. His size and physicality in the run game fit exactly what Jerry Jones emphasized leading up to the draft—that the offensive line matters more to the running game than the back carrying the ball.
Booker’s first words to Jones? He wants to carry on the offensive line tradition in Dallas. The early returns suggest he’s capable of doing exactly that.
Projected Role: Day 1 starter at left guard
Dallas Cowboys select G Tyler Booker with 12th overall pick
Round 2, Pick 44: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
With DeMarcus Lawrence released and Chauncey Golston gone in free agency, edge rusher became a priority despite Micah Parsons headlining the group. Ezeiruaku—a Philadelphia native and former Eagles fan who immediately renounced that allegiance—brings pass rush upside to pair with Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams, and 2024 second-rounder Marshawn Kneeland.
The timing matters: both Fowler and Williams are in contract years, making Ezeiruaku both a present contributor and future insurance.
Projected Role: Rotational edge rusher, potential future starter
Dallas Cowboys select Donovan Ezeiruaku with 44th Pick
Round 3, Pick 76: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Measurables: 6-3, 193 lbs, 32⅝-inch arms
The cornerback room needed youth after losing Jourdan Lewis in free agency, with questions surrounding Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland entering the final year of his contract. Revel has the size and length the Cowboys want for their press-man scheme.
The knee injury that ended his 2024 season gave some teams pause, but Dallas clearly got comfortable with the medicals. His 2023 tape showed three interceptions and 12 pass deflections—production that made him worth the calculated risk.
Projected Role: Developmental corner, competing for nickel duties
Dallas Cowboys select Shavon Revel with 76th Pick
Round 5, Pick 149: Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas
Measurables: 5-9, 196 lbs, 4.38 40-yard dash
With Rico Dowdle signing with Carolina, running back became a need. Blue brings home-run speed—his 40 time was second-fastest among all backs at the Combine. He spent years behind Bijan Robinson and Jonathon Brooks at Texas but broke out in 2024 with 730 rushing yards and 1,098 total yards from scrimmage.
The concern: ball security. Seven career fumbles, including five in 2024. If he cleans that up, he profiles as an explosive change-of-pace option.
Projected Role: Third-down back, returner
Dallas Cowboys 5th Round Recap: Jaydon Blue and Shemar James
Round 5, Pick 152: Shemar James, LB, Florida
Dallas traded up from 174 to grab James, sending picks 174 and 204 to Arizona. At just 20 years old (turning 21 in June), he’s one of the youngest players in the entire draft class.
The Cowboys added Kenneth Murray via trade and Jack Sanborn in free agency, but James has the skill set Matt Eberflus looks for in his linebackers. He’ll compete for sub-package snaps while developing behind the veterans.
Projected Role: Special teams, sub-package linebacker
Dallas Cowboys 5th Round Recap: Jaydon Blue and Shemar James
Round 6, Pick 204: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Another offensive lineman, another value pick. Cornelius played right tackle at Rhode Island before transferring to Oregon, where he allowed just three sacks in 1,011 pass-blocking snaps over two seasons.
Dallas sees him as a true swing option—capable of playing both tackle spots and kicking inside to guard if needed. That versatility makes him valuable depth immediately.
Projected Role: Swing tackle, offensive line depth
Dallas Cowboys 6th Round Recap: Ajani Cornelius Joins Offensive Line
Round 7, Pick 217: Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
Measurables: 6-2, 341 lbs
Toia was a projected third-round pick by some analysts, making this a potential steal. The former rugby player from the Virgin Islands brings violent physicality to the interior. He increased his quarterback pressures significantly when given more third-down snaps as a senior.
He joins a defensive tackle room looking to improve after Mazi Smith’s underwhelming 2024.
Projected Role: Rotational nose tackle
Dallas Cowboys 7th Round Recap: Draft Ends With Value Picks
Round 7, Pick 239: Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson
Measurables: 6-1, 234 lbs
The thunder to Jaydon Blue’s lightning. Mafah is a downhill bruiser who averaged over 7.0 yards per carry early in 2024 before injuries slowed him. He fumbled just once in his entire college career—the exact opposite of Blue’s ball security concerns.
Schottenheimer compared his running style to James Conner’s, particularly in gap schemes.
Projected Role: Early-down back, short-yardage
Dallas Cowboys 7th Round Recap: Draft Ends With Value Picks
Round 7, Pick 247: Tommy Akingbesote, DT, Maryland
A former basketball player who didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school, Akingbesote was the second-ranked defensive lineman in his 2021 recruiting class. His combination of size and first-step quickness flashes on tape, though his production at Maryland was inconsistent.
With only four other defensive tackles on the roster, he’ll get a real chance to earn a rotation spot.
Projected Role: Developmental interior lineman
Dallas Cowboys 7th Round Recap: Draft Ends With Value Picks
Draft Day Trades
The Cowboys made several moves leading into and during the draft:
| Trade | Sent | Received |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Milton (QB, New England) | Pick 171 | Pick 217 |
| Kaiir Elam (CB, Buffalo) | Pick 170 | Pick 204 |
| Kenneth Murray (LB, Tennessee) | Pick 188 | Pick 239 |
| Trade up for Shemar James | Picks 174 & 204 | Pick 152 |
Positional Breakdown
- Offensive Line (2): Tyler Booker, Ajani Cornelius
- Defensive Line (3): Donovan Ezeiruaku, Jay Toia, Tommy Akingbesote
- Running Back (2): Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah
- Cornerback (1): Shavon Revel Jr.
- Linebacker (1): Shemar James
What They Didn’t Address
For the first time since 2020, Dallas did not draft a wide receiver. The front office acknowledged they’re still looking for an explosive second option alongside CeeDee Lamb, leaving the door open for a trade or free agent addition.
Last updated: January 26, 2026