By all accounts, the Dallas Cowboys hit a home run in the 2025 NFL Draft. Various recaps and grades have universally praised Dallas' rookie class, which says a lot given the selection of Tyler Booker in round one was viewed as bit of a reach.
The additions of Booker, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Shavon Revel and Jaydon Blue in particular have the potential to pay huge dividends in 2025. What will really help the cause as the Cowboys look to return to playoff contention is getting production from an undrafted free agent.
That is obviously easier said than done, but Dallas has a long history of finding gems in the undrafted pool. While it remains to be seen who emerges as the alpha(s) of this year's group, the team might have revealed which UDFAs have the best chance of making the team based on the contracts they handed out.
Cowboys revealed a lot about their 2025 undrafted free agent class
Ironically, both of the Cowboys' highest-paid UDFAs went to Syracuse: defensive back Alijah Clark and linebacker Justin Barron.
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, Clark got a $25,000 signing bonus and $234,000 guaranteed, while Barron received a $20k signing bonus and $234,000 guaranteed. For context, no other Cowboys UDFA signing got greater than a $15k signing bonus or $175k guaranteed.
Archer notes the $234K in guarantees is typically what a player on the practice squad makes, so Dallas clearly views Clark and Barron as players who, at the bare minimum, can make the practice squad.
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Clark is a former No. 2 safety recruit out of New Jersey in the 2021 cycle. He was then listed as a cornerback and checked in at No. 10 in the rankings, per 247Sports. He has the versatility to play both positions and could make an instant impact on special teams.
A three-year starter at Syracuse after transferring from Rutgers, Clark amassed 183 combined tackles (104 solo), nine passes defended and one interception for the Orange.
Barron, meanwhile played wide receiver and then safety at Syracuse before making the full-time switch to linebacker. In four years on the defensive side of the ball, he racked up a whopping 289 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 14 passes defended.
With DeMarvion Overshown likely to open training camp and the regular season on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, Barron will have plenty of opportunities to carve out a role in what is currently a youthful linebacker room.
This isn't to write off Dallas' other undrafted free agent pickups.
However, history tells us that the UDFAs who are guaranteed the most money typically have the best chance of making the team.