Schottenheimer’s draft focus: Adding leaders to Cowboys’ roster – Todd Archer, ESPN
Dallas had one thing in mind when putting together their 2025 draft class.
Since taking the job in January, Schottenheimer has talked about culture. Two days before the draft, he mentioned how “character mattered,” and it was reflected in the Cowboys’ nine choices who will be at The Star for this weekend’s rookie minicamp.
Schottenheimer’s words were similar to the phrase former coach Jason Garrett would utter during his tenure in Dallas: the right kind of guy.
Booker was a captain at Alabama. So was second-round defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku at Boston College. Fifth-round linebacker Shemar James, not yet 21, was a captain at Florida. Third-round cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. worked at an Amazon factory, loading trucks before gaining a scholarship to East Carolina.
Fifth-round running back Jaydon Blue had to wait his turn at Texas behind future draft picks Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson and Jonathon Brooks but didn’t transfer.
Defensive tackles Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote discussed the pleasure they receive in seeing others make plays because of the work they have done up front.
“The football character, the football instincts, the competitive spirit were things that we were all looking for,” Schottenheimer said. “But again, I think we’ve got outstanding football players that just happen to have incredible intangibles in leadership. It goes a long way. Some of the best players I’ve ever been around, LaDainian Tomlinson and Drew Brees, they weren’t just great football players, they were great people, they were great leaders.”
Traeshon Holden is ‘coming for heads’ at Cowboys’ rookie minicamp – Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com
The undrafted free agent wide receiver is looking to make waves in Dallas quickly.
After beginning his collegiate career at Alabama, Holden transferred to the Ducks ahead of the 2023 season, as Adams was heading into his second year coaching receivers in Eugene. In their two years together, Holden had the best two year stretch of his college career with 82 receptions, 1,170 yards and 11 touchdowns. More importantly, they forged a tight bond with one another.
“Me and his relationship is more than player-coach,” Holden said. “I call him if I just need to talk to somebody, and we’ve got a really good relationship. It’s good that we have it in the pros for sure.”
Oregon has some of the best facilities in college football, with plenty of support from Nike CEO Phil Knight to make that possible. And yet, walking around the Star in Frisco blew Holden out of the water.
“It’s great, it’s like an Oregon times ten,” Holden said. “It’s insane, this is crazy, it’s very nice. City’s lovely, I can’t wait to make something happen.”
Heading into the start of rookie minicamp on Friday, the tours of the facility and paperwork are all over. Now, Holden’s ready to show teams that passed up on him they made a mistake in doing so.
“Prove everybody wrong,” Holden said on his mindset for minicamp. “Everybody. I’m coming for heads. That’s it.”
Tyler Booker signs rookie contract with Dallas Cowboys – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Tyler Booker is officially a Dallas Cowboy.
The Cowboys started the process of finalizing contracts with their draft picks this week.
First-round pick Tyler Booker signed a four-year deal worth $22.5 million Friday, picking up a $13 million signing bonus.
“We’re both on the same page,” Booker said after the rookie minicamp walkthrough. “We know this rookie contract is just, Lord willing, the first of a couple I have in front of me. I was just focused on getting to work, I wasn’t too worried about the little extremities. That’s stuff for my agent to worry about. So I told her, ‘Look let’s get this thing worked (out). I’m ready to get to work.’”
Of the nine draft picks, only second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku, the Boston College defensive end, and fifth-round running back Jaydon Blue (Texas) have yet to sign deals.
Shemar James in diehard Cowboys fandom, role in 2025 and ‘dream come true’ during NFL Draft – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com
Everything has come full circle for fifth-round pick.
On his style of leadership:
“I’m energetic. I’m a guy that leads by example. I’m a guy that loves to relate to his teammates before I judge them. I would like to know you before I can judge if and when you’re slacking on the field. I feel that’s kind of the best way you can lead somebody — by knowing them personally off the field, so you can make them give him that 110% on the field.”
On Eberflus being both defensive coordinator and an LB guru:
“You always want a coach that specializes in your position, because you kind of get a little extra love, a [few] extra blitzes. That’s kind of like a plus for me, I would think. [He] specializes in linebackers, very hands-on. I’m excited to see my development over these couple of years.”
On how playing in the SEC prepared him for the NFC East, NFL:
“[In] practice and in the games, too. Playing in the SEC, it’s any given Saturday. Like they say in the NFL that it’s any given Sunday — it’s any given Saturday in the SEC. You’re playing against a great team and great players each and every week, so you’ve got to bring it, and kind of like you do here.”
On if it’s set in yet he’s in the NFL, and with the Cowboys:
Yeah, so it’s slowly setting in completely — all these cameras and the walkthrough and just, you know, having that Star on your chest. I’m here now. I’m excited to be a Cowboy.”
On the Cowboys trading up to select him:
“Man, that meant a lot to me, because I got the call when the Cardinals [were] on the board. My mom, she kind of yelled out the house, like, ‘The Cowboys just traded up!’ As soon as I got off the phone, my name popped up on the screen, so I was like, ‘I’m a Dallas Cowboy.’ That’s my family’s favorite team and my favorite team since I’ve been a kid.
“It’s a dream come true and it’s actually special for me.”
Execs unfiltered thoughts on NFL Draft for every NFC team: Giants, Bears get high marks – Mike Sando, The Athletic
The Cowboys not taking a wide receiver didn’t stop NFL executives from raving about their draft.
Execs did not share some analysts’ concerns that Dallas failed to draft a receiver.
“I don’t know why everyone wants them to take a receiver so bad when they have one they are paying $34 million a year,” one exec said, referring to CeeDee Lamb. “There are always wideouts out there, and you have a guy that demands coverage.”
Dallas’ first two picks, guard Tyler Booker and edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, were team captains in college.
“They got the best guard in the draft, and they get a pass rusher opposite Micah Parsons who can actually win with speed,” an exec said. “Their pass rush is going to be a pain in the ass to deal with. The corner they got in the third (Shavon Revel Jr.) might have gone in the back end of the first round if he’d never gotten hurt.”
The Panthers’ decision to take receiver Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 doomed a slew of mock drafts that had Dallas taking the Arizona wideout at No. 12.
“Booker is huge, and he can knock people back, but he does run out of gas some,” another exec said. “We liked the corner they took (Revel). He can change the angle of the ball arriving, like Seattle used to do with those taller corners.”
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