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Cowboys’ 2025 rookie class fading down the stretch

Originally posted on Inside The Star
By Richard Paolinelli | Last updated Dec 12, 2025 8:34 AM ET

It seems that 13 games might just be the wall for many of the Dallas Cowboys rookie class. Their production slipped in the Cowboys’ loss to the Lions last week.

The two lone exceptions are Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Although in Booker’s case, he’s only played in 10 games this year, so his legs might be a bit fresher.

Dallas is fighting for its playoff life. In a way, the playoffs begin this week, since even one loss probably ends any chance of making the postseason.

That means the rookies are going to have to step up and show up down the stretch.

Here’s how they fared against Detroit:

Tyler Booker (OG)

Tyler Booker’s ankle injury is in the distant past, and the last two weeks he’s been solid. Booker saw all 82 offensive snaps and six more (18%) on special teams.

The Cowboys’ first round pick recorded his second-straight penalty-free game.

But he was part of an offensive line that allowed Dak Prescott to be sacked five times.

Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE)

The second round pick, Donovan Ezeiruaku, recorded four tackles, one for a loss, on 49 defensive snaps in his fifth-straight start.

Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)

Taken in the third round, Shavon Revel made his second straight start of the year. He’d missed much of the season recovering from a knee injury suffered in college last year.

Against Detroit, Revel had six tackles and defended one pass on 62 defensive snaps.

However, he has given up two touchdowns this year and is yielding a completion percentage of 77.8 on 14 catches on 18 targets for 149 yards.

Jaydon Blue (RB)

The Cowboys’ first pick in the fifth round, Jaydon Blue, is quickly becoming a disappointment. He was not active, yet again, against the Lions.

Shemar James (LB)

For whatever reason, the Cowboys’ second fifth-round selection, Shemar James, is seeing less playing time on the field.

This despite looking very good in four straight starts earlier this year. He has been relegated to the bench for the last four games.

Despite the decrease in time on the field, James is still producing similar numbers to Kenneth Murray.

Against Detroit, James managed four tackles, one more than Murray, on just six defensive snaps (10%) and 26 more (76%) on special teams.

Ajani Cornelius (OL)

The sixth round pick, Ajani Cornelius, was not active against the Lions.

Jay Toia (DT)

The first of the Cowboys’ seventh-round picks, Jay Toia, was not active against Detroit.

Trikweze Bridges (DB)

Drafted in the seventh round by the Chargers, Trikweze Bridges was traded to Dallas before the start of the year.

In 12 special teams snaps, Bridges recorded no stats.

Alijah Clark (CB)

The undrafted free agent, and special teams hero of the win over the Eagles last month, Alijah Clark, saw 18 snaps on special teams against the Lions. He recorded no stats in the game.