Cowboys' draft grades show consistently high marks, including rare A+ from PFF

USA Today

27-04-2025

Cowboys' draft grades show consistently high marks, including rare A+ from PFF
The Cowboys' last few draft classes were met with a collective shrug from many of the big national outlets. Early picks like Tyler Guyton, Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker, Jalen Tolbert, and Kelvin Joseph didn't exactly move the needle with the experts in the moment, and they still haven't quite overcome the watered-down expectations that were reflected in the team's post-draft grades.
This year is off to a different start, with draft publications across the board giving Dallas outstanding marks for their nine-player haul. The Cowboys didn't grab any of the high-profile wide receivers or running backs in the early rounds- and they're still in desperate need of a true WR2 threat- but they made three days' worth of very solid picks that fill needs, fit the system, and show where new head coach Brian Schottenheimer and his staff want to place emphasis heading into the 2025 season.
The team even earned a rare A+ from Pro Football Focus, a source that typically tends to look for reasons to rain on the Cowboys' parade.
How the newest Cowboys live up to these grades- and whether it makes for an improvement in the team's overall performance- remains to be seen, obviously, but for now, let's celebrate a pretty stellar post-draft report card.
Here's a look at how some of the national outlets graded the Cowboys' 2025 draft.
USA Today: B+
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It might not have been exactly what the fan base was hoping for – Jeanty – but owner Jerry Jones and his front office generally do a pretty solid job this time of year. Aside from being a bully on the field, first-round G Tyler Booker not only fills a need but could provide fresh leadership in the locker room in time. Second-round DE Donovan Ezeiruaku and third-round CB Shavon Revel Jr. were certainly worthy of being taken a round earlier than they were. Fifth-round RB Jaydon Blue brings sub-4.4 speed if not the background to suggest he can shoulder the load on the ground. Receiving depth behind WR CeeDee Lamb still looms as a significant question.
New York Post: B
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A touchdown-scorer was needed, but the Cowboys are trying to recapture their great line of the 2010s with three first-round picks since 2022 (Booker, Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith). Revel is a bargain if his torn ACL rehab checks out. Ezeiruaku reminds some of the departed DeMarcus Lawrence.
PFF: A+
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Booker — Zack Martin's retirement in March left a hole on the Cowboys' interior offensive line. Booker, the 48th-ranked prospect on the PFF Big Board, profiles as a bit of a reach but a talent who fills a definite need up front in Dallas. The Alabama guard earned an 86.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024, which will provide an instant boost to a Cowboys offense that ranked 23rd in PFF pass-blocking grade (62.1) this past season.
Ezeiruaku — Situated at 17 on the PFF Big Board, Ezeiruaku profiles as a significant value for the Cowboys here. The Boston College standout maintains a solid grading profile, particularly against true pass sets, where he clocked the most snaps of any edge rusher in the 2025 class (196), earning a 90.7 PFF pass-rushing grade and a 25.8% pass rush win rate.
Revel — Shavon Revel was the No. 44 player on the PFF Big Board, so his selection represents great value for the Cowboys at No. 76. Revel is a tall outside corner with back-to-back seasons with coverage grades above 80 (80.5 in 2023 and 84.0 in 2024).
Blue — The Cowboys finally address the running back position and get solid value with Jaydon Blue. After two seasons being stuck behind elite running back talent at Texas, Blue got his chance to be the featured back. Blue struggled with fumbles a bit, putting the ball on the ground four times while losing three of them. However, he showcased some elusiveness, forcing 37 missed tackles on 140 rushing attempts.
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CBS Sports: B
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After some highly questionable drafts of late, Jerry and Stephen Jones -- and Will McClay -- have totally redeemed themselves in 2025. Ok, so I didn't love the Tyler Booker selection at No. 12 overall due to his athletic deficiencies. But I will acknowledge guard was a monster need on this offense.
Beyond that, Ezeiruaku was picked at proper value and gives Micah Parsons a new, young running mate on the edge. Revel was a sensational find at No. 76, and Blue has serious juice when there's a lane out of the backfield. James is raw but smooth in a three-down role. The Cowboys got noticeably better this weekend. I do wonder what the plan is at outside receiver, though.
Pro Football & Sports Network: B+
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Some of the Cowboys' picks may have been polarizing in the heat of the moment, but their composite class ended up looking a lot stronger than anticipated. Anchored by a superb early-round slate, the Cowboys' rookie class has a chance to make an impact right away.
The Tyler Booker selection is simple. He's not an elite athlete, but he's an elite competitor with the size, technique, and IQ to last a long time as an NFL starter. Donovan Ezeiruaku has instant value as a pass-rush specialist, and Shavon Revel can help form a top-tier CB trio with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, if he can stay healthy.
The Cowboys' performance dipped slightly on Day 3, mainly with a fifth-round reach for an unathletic, inconsistent linebacker in Shemar James. But overall, the Cowboys utilized their capital well. Jaydon Blue is a sparkplug at RB, and the rest of the Day 3 additions provide solid depth. This Cowboys class could help the team set off on the right foot with Brian Schottenheimer.
The Ringer: A-
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I really liked what the Cowboys did this weekend in adding a handful of early contributors to their roster. Alabama guard Tyler Booker will help solidify their interior offensive line and should provide clean pockets for Dak Prescott and run lanes for the team's backs. Boston College's Donovan Ezeiruaku is a slippery, productive pass rusher who should pair excellently with Micah Parsons off the edge. East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel has top-tier upside as a big, long outside corner with ball skills and instincts in coverage. And Texas running back Jaydon Blue adds top-tier speed to the team's backfield, giving the Cowboys a home run hitter at the position. All in all, a solid haul.
NFL.com: A-
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The Cowboys bypassed the available offensive skill-position players and defensive talent at No. 12 to replace the retired Zack Martin with Booker. The former Alabama guard is a proven starter out of the SEC, but he did not impress in athletic testing this spring. Ezeiruaku projects as the next Demarcus Lawrence, while Revel could be a nice Day 2 find if he's able to stay healthy (coming off an ACL tear).
I dropped Dallas' grade slightly because they traded their fourth-round pick to Carolina for Jonathan Mingo last year, a move that has not paid off so far. They proved they could find running backs late, however, picking the speedy Blue in Round 5 and the strong Mafah in Round 7. I understood why they decided to trade up for James. I expect him to earn a starting role in Dallas. Cornelius could play guard or tackle for the Cowboys, while Toia and Akingbesote will help stop the run.
Yahoo Sports: A
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The Cowboys were able to fill some needs with players who might be able to make serious impacts as rookies. Guard Tyler Booker, pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. have a chance to be instant impact starters with long-term upside for the Cowboys. Dallas added three players whom many draft analysts had as first-round prospects without trading assets to acquire them. Good process. Hopefully good results for what Dallas was able to pull off.
Most interesting pick: Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
Dallas continued its love for drafting offensive linemen in the first round with the bruising guard from Alabama. Some viewed this as a reach, but Booker is a high-floor player who can form a hellacious interior group with guard Tyler Smith and center Cooper Beebe. If Tyler Guyton (wow, a lot of Tylers here) takes the next step, Dallas could have one of the best offensive lines in the league again.
Sporting News: A
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Jerry Jones didn't end up with a wide receiver or tight end to help Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but it was OK to table that position in lieu of boosting others. Booker is a great replacement for Zack Martin, and Cornelius has starting potential inside or out for their offensive line. Blue is their kind of speedy, power runner, and Ezeiruaku and Revel were absolute steals, given both could have gone at the end of the first round. Dallas addressed most key weaknesses as it tries to become tougher overall.
Touchdown Wire: B
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They reached for Tyler Booker in the first round, but he still fills a position of need. Landing both Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel on Day Two was arguably the best duo of picks on Friday of any team. They didn't add a receiver, though, which they still desperately need.
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