Following another subpar free agency, the Dallas Cowboys had little margin for error in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the class can't be properly evaluated until it takes the field, fans in Dallas are over the moon with the team's selections.
That says a lot given they didn't draft a wide receiver, which was circled as the biggest need heading into last Thursday. Most of the heavy lifting was done on Day 3, which is often the case, but the Cowboys got incredible value throughout all seven rounds.
ESPN draft analyst Field Yates would agree. In a recent article (subscription required), Yates combed through every round and highlight his favorite picks. Two Cowboys selections caught Yates' eye.
Two Cowboys 2025 draft picks are already drawing major buzz
Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
The Cowboys were able to nab Ezeiruaku, one of the most productive pass rushers in the FBS last season, with the No. 44 overall pick. Like many analysts, Yates thought Ezeiruaku had a strong chance of going in round one.
"I thought there was a chance that Ezeiruaku would sneak into the first round (he was No. 32 on my final board). He is a smooth, long, instinctive pass rusher who finished second in the FBS in sacks (16.5) and first in pressures (65) last season, completely altering games for Boston College as a one-man force. Ezeiruaku needs to add more power so he can be a better edge setter against the run, but he should boost Dallas' pass rush and see favorable looks while Micah Parsons commands most of the attention."
It was imperative for Dallas to come out of the draft with an impact pass rusher. While not a huge immediate need, Dante Fowler and Sam Williams will be free agents in 2026. Getting a stud like Ezeiuraku on a rookie deal right before Micah Parsons gets upwards of $40 million per year is textbook roster building by the front office.
While Ezeiuraku needs to improve against the run, Dallas drafted Marshawn Kneeland in round two last year. Still developing as a pass rusher, Kneeland is already a plus run defender, so defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus could mix and match the two DEs on passing and rushing downs.
Jay Toia, DT, UCLA
Third-round pick Shavon Revel is considered one of the steals of the draft, but Yates thought the Cowboys got incredible value taking Toia with the first pick of the seventh round.
"After adding the best run blocker in the class early in Alabama's Tyler Booker, the Cowboys selected one of the best run defenders late in Toia. He anchored UCLA's run defense, which gave up only 2.7 yards per attempt in 2023 (second best in the FBS). With great size, power and violent hands, Toia makes life easier for linebackers against the run. But he will be a minimal factor on passing downs."
Cowboys fans have to love hearing that.
As Yates notes, Toia specializes at mucking things up in the middle. He pairs great size and strength with a low center of gravity that allows him to establish leverage and consume double teams for linebackers. The former Bruin does a lot of things that don't show up in the box score, but he is sneakily good at stacking and shedding to halt the momentum of ball-carriers.
Yates sounds bullish that Toia will eventually earn a prominent role as a one-technique. Whether that happens in year one remains to be seen, and Dallas would be smart to add another veteran who can play 15-20 snaps per game, but analysts are in lockstep that Toia was a smart pick.