This was the lone rookie standout on Sunday

Sep 17, 2025
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Dallas Cowboys player holding up his new jersey at the NFL Draft, showcasing team pride and excitement for the upcoming football season.

There has only been two games played so far in the 2025 season, but this year’s rookie crop isn’t making much of an impact so far.

With one lone exception, that is.

Offensive Guard Tyler Booker has been rock-solid so far in his first two games. He is one of the reasons why Javonte Williams has enjoyed a very good start to his season at running back.

After Booker though, there is a dramatic drop off in production.

Only three other rookies saw the field against the Giants. None of them as starters.

Here’s how the second game of the year played out for the 2025 rookies.

On The Field

Booker saw all 89 offensive snaps along with eight more on special teams. For the second game this season, Booker was not flagged for any penalties.

He also had some nice blocks.

Booker appears to have been a very solid first round pick, something that can’t be said of the previous two year’s top picks.

Donovan Ezeiruaku saw 26 defensive snaps (39%) at edge behind starters Sam Williams and Dante Fowler. He did not have a tackle but was credited with two quarterback hits.

It will be interesting to see how much his playing time decreases with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney to the defensive line.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 29: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks run in an interception for a touchdown in the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) He will help out the rookie Cowboys on defense.

Last April’s seventh-round pick, Jay Toia is out on the field, while the 2023 first round pick, Mazi Smith, sits on the practice squad.

Toia saw 19 snaps (28%) at defensive tackle against the Giants.

Cornerback Zion Childress, an undrafted free agent, was called up from the practice squad for Sunday’s game with DaRon Bland going down with an injury.

Childress was relegated to 14 snaps. All of them were on special teams.

He was credited with one tackle.

On The Shelf

Five of Dallas’ nine draft picks did not suit up on Sunday. Fifth-rounder Jaydon Blue (RB), third-rounder Shemar James (LB), and sixth rounder Ajani Cornelius (OL) were all inactive on Sunday.

Third-round pick Shavon Revel Jr. (CB) is on the NFIL and seventh-round pick Phil Mafah (RB) is currently on injured reserve. Fellow seventh-round pick Tommy Akingbesote (DT) was cut before the season began.

Revel, James, and Blue are likely to see action as the season progresses.

Biding Their Time

There are four undrafted free agent rookies currently on the Cowboys’ practice squad.

  • Traeshon Holden (WR)
  • Rivaldo Fairweather (TE)
  • Justin Barron (LB)
  • Alijah Clark (CB)

It remains to be seen if any of the four will get called up. Holden would be the most likely to see time on the 53-man roster this year.

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli is an award-winning sports journalist with 34 years of professional newsroom experience. His newspaper career (1991–2011) includes the Gallup Independent, Modesto Bee, Gustine Press-Standard, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, Patch, and San Francisco Examiner. He received the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association Best Sports Story award. Richard has authored two non-fiction sports books and 11 novels. At InsideTheStar.com, he has published 874 articles reaching over 728,000 readers.

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bardolf
bardolf
Sep 17, 2025 7:26 PM

The best rookies are on the practice squad and injured reserve (Mafah).

Dallas Cowboys football player practicing during training camp with teammates on the field.
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