The Dallas Cowboys managed to bounce back from a shaky start to the 2025 NFL Draft after the Tyler Booker pick, landing two players who were thought to be possible first-round talent in Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.
Even after adding a few players who could contribute very early on in their Cowboy career, Dallas' class as a whole stands out as a generally subpar unit. The Cowboys didn't seem to get the memo that drafting high-end athletes might be the best way to fill out a roster.
In terms of average Relative Athletic Score (RAS), which measures a player's physical traits, the Cowboys were dead last in the NFL in terms of average RAS among their draftees. Trusting the tape is one thing, but Dallas' style seems to be going out of fashion as their rivals start innovating.
The Commanders, Giants, and Eagles, ranked first, third, and fourth (respectively) in average RAS score among their draftees, showing that all of Dallas' rivals are embracing a more modern approach to drafting. Jerry Jones needs to avoid getting left in the dust by his hated interdivision foes.
Cowboys' 2025 NFL Draft has lowest RAS score
The two saving graces the Cowboys were bailed out by in this draft were the Ezeiruaku and Revel selections. The former projects as someone who can challenge for 10 sacks per season during his rookie contract, and the latter likely would have been a first-round pick if he stayed healthy.
Running back Jaydon Blue and linebacker Shemar James were both regarded as slight reaches in the fifth round, as neither of them had the athletic testing numbers to match up with some of the better players who managed to fall to them at that time.
The Cowboys had four selections after pick No. 200 in this draft, and the only one regarded as a particularly noteworthy value is a backup offensive tackle in sixth-rounder Ajani Cornelius. Seventh-rounders like defensive tackles Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote and running back Phil Mafah face uphill battles to make the roster.
Dallas' drafts have typically been good enough to keep refueling the talent level on rosters that aren't always particularly deep from top to bottom, but with the division loading up on premium athletes, it might take an even more heroic effort for Dak Prescott to get this team back to the postseason.