Predicting Week 1 roles for every Dallas Cowboys' draft pick: Starters, backups, special teamers, and roster cuts

A lot has been made about the Dallas Cowboys landing potential significant contributors in Day 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but how early will they make an impact?

Below are my predictions for the Week 1 gameday roles of each of the Cowboys' nine draft picks. From starters to backups to special teamers and even one roster cut. 

Let's dive in. 

OL Tyler Booker: Starting right guard

The Cowboys didn't even hide it when they drafted the lineman out of Alabama: They view him as an immediate starter and as a replacement to Zack Martin. There's no way Booker isn't in that front five when the season kicks off. 

He'll either start at right guard or at left guard should the coaching staff decide to kick Tyler Smith to left tackle. 

EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku: Important backup

My money is on veteran Dante Fowler Jr. getting the early crack at starting, though younger players like Ezeiruaku and Marshawn Kneeland will definitely get a chance. But even if it's Fowler, he played in 50% of the snaps or fewer in nine games last season. Expect a heavy rotation on the non-Micah Parsons side of the defensive line. 

CB Shavon Revel Jr.: Backup with chance at starting

The buzz suggests Revel Jr. will be ready for Week 1, with reports indicating he'll be back at some point in training camp. Who knows whether or not the Cowboys will want to rush things with him, though. And the team seems particularly high on fourth-year Kaiir Elam, who they traded for earlier in the year. 

The Cowboys were comfortable starting fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson in the wake of DaRon Bland's injury last season. If Revel Jr. is healthy, he has a solid chance at starting. 

RB Jaydon Blue: No. 2 running back in snaps

Blue's biggest flaw as a prospect was his undersized build keeps him from being a workhorse of a running back. In the NFL, that's unlikely to chance. I assume the Cowboys will treat Javonte Williams as RB1 as far as snap counts go early on but Blue will be on the field plenty for a fifth-rounder. 

LB Shemar James: Special teamer

When the Cowboys report to training camp, James will have turned 21 years old about a month earlier. He still has a lot to learn and polish but he's a big-time athlete and someone likely to win over the locker room. There's no way he doesn't earn a gameday role early on and I believe that will be on offense. 

iOL Ajani Cornelius: Healthy scratch

This will heavily depend on what the 53-man roster looks like when it's all said and done, as it's tough to get a read on things after the Cowboys signed three guards in free agency and drafted one in the first round. As a prospect that's expected to need developing before being gameday-ready, I'll guess he'll start off on the inactives list before graduating into the gameday roster later in the season. 

NT Jay Toia: Backup role

Though Mazi Smith still has a lot to prove, I'd be shocked if the Cowboys aren't betting on him being the guy at nose tackle early on. But there's not exactly a lot of depth at nose tackle so expect Toia to have a role. 

RB Phil Mafah: Special teamer, situational RB

Though Mafah and Blue are expected to become a 1-2 punch at some point, I don't think it's going to be a given for the seventh-round rookie. He'll have to earn a roster spot first. Early on, I see him as a special teamer and someone who will come in on short yardage situations.

DT Tommy Akingbesote: Practice squad

Akingbesote didn't make my way-too-early Cowboys 53-man roster projection, so I'll list him as a likely practice squad player for now.