The Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class has yet to set the NFL on fire through the first two weeks of the 2025 season.
After all, only three members of a nine-player class have played at all to this point. Whether from injury or a depth chart log jam, it’s been a struggle for these young guys to get, and stay, on the field.
The hope for the team is that as the year ramps up, so will the rookies, both in health and overall ability.
With that in mind, here is a quick rookie-class rundown ahead of the team’s Week 3 matchup with the Chicago Bears. I’ll cover the three mainstays and the one guy everybody can’t wait to see make his debut.
Tyler Booker: First-Rounder Showing Flashes Of Good & Bad
Alabama’s Tyler Booker became one of the highest-drafted guards in recent NFL history this April; nobody was expecting a Quenton Nelson-like impact right away, however.
That belief has held; the 12th overall pick has seen some strong moments and some serious struggles, especially against pass rushers.
Cowboys rookie G Tyler Booker's NFL debut:
⭐️ 35 pass blocking snaps
⭐️ 0 sacks allowed
⭐️ 2 pressures allowedBooker, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe & Terence Steele each allowed 2 pressures and 0 sacks on Thursday Night 🛡️ https://t.co/I2yTJNHZAi pic.twitter.com/NzW764qzqM
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 5, 2025
In Week 1, Booker limited the Eagles’ front to just two pressures and no sacks on 35 pass-blocking snaps. Against the Giants, he allowed his first sack and saw that pressure number double to four.
This matchup with Chicago will be a big test of his development: can he take last week’s struggles and improve, or will we start raising questions about his rookie-season ability?
Donovan Ezeiruaku: Second-Rounder Needs To Start Contributing Now
I was a huge fan of Boston College EDGE rusher Donovan Ezeriuaku heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. I have not been nearly as big a fan of Ezeiruaku as a Cowboys EDGE rusher.
The 44th pick in April has yet to produce statistically in Dallas, though he is doing well at generating pressure.
Rookie EDGE Pressure Leaders per @FTNFantasy:
9 – Abdul Carter (13.2%)
4 – Donovan Ezeiruaku (15.4%)
3 – James Pearce (9.4%)
3 – Jordan Burch (7.5%)
3 – Mike Green (6.5%)
2 – Shemar Stewart (4.8%)
2 – Oluwafemi Oladejo (3.8%)
1 – Jalon Walker (3.7%)
1 – Mykel Williams (2%)— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) September 18, 2025
Ezeiruaku has just one tackle through two games, and of course, no sacks. It was thought that when Micah Parsons was traded, he would get a spotlight to shine in the sack department, but so far, that’s been Kenny Clark, James Houston, and Marshawn Kneeland’s domain.
It’s still early, but with Jadeveon Clowney now coming in, it’s time for the second-rounder to start showing up in the box score.
Jaydon Blue: Question Marks Surround Fifth-Rounder’s Debut
We still don’t know when former Texas Longhorn, Jaydon Blue, will make his NFL debut for Dallas.
He dealt with a pair of nagging ankle injuries over the summer, but the belief is that he is healthy and able to play; they just have yet to throw him into the ring.
Blue’s rookie-year value has taken a hit by the emergence of Javonte Williams; there is no doubt about that. My issue with that narrative, however, is the idea that, because of Williams’s play, there isn’t room for Blue.
There absolutely is. We’ve seen Miles Sanders’ performance, and after seeing Blue in the preseason, I struggle to believe he isn’t a better option than the aging veteran.
Jay Toia: Late-Round Flyer Proving To Be Crucial
We’ve seen the Cowboys’ love for rookie Jay Toia increase since he was drafted. Now, it’s hit a peak, as the team is slotting him over Mazi Smith at defensive tackle.
Toia, a seventh-rounder from UCLA, is seemingly a better option than Smith, Dallas’s former first-round pick from Michigan. I expect we will see that trend continue today against the Chicago Bears.
If it does, we’re going to start to see even more people as to why Smith is even being kept on the roster.
Toia is providing a ton for a rookie drafted in the final round, especially in the running game. Smith, unfortunately, was never truly able to do the same.
