Here are our grades for the Cowboys UDFA rookies
The Dallas Cowboys really did nail this year’s NFL draft and their rookie class looks extremely promising with a number of high character players that all had productive collegiate careers. While everyone gets hyped for the nine draft picks they made during the seven rounds, they also quietly put together an interesting ensemble of free agents during the undrafted free agency period. Let’s grade the players they’ve taken and what their outlook is predicted to be at Dallas.
WR, Josh Kelly, Texas Tech
Kelly had a pretty productive 2024 season, recording 89 receptions for 1,023 yards and five touchdowns, leading the FBS with 32 third-down receptions. His ability to gain yards after the catch is easy to notice and his 605 yards-after-catch and 26 forced missed tackles highlights his playmaking skills with the ball in his hands. He’s an intelligent route runner with reliable hands, capable of playing both outside and in the slot.
Given the Cowboys’ current depth at wide receiver, Kelly faces a challenging path to secure a spot on the 53-man roster. However, his versatility and special teams experience could make him a valuable asset for the practice squad with potential to be called up during the season. His college production and skill set suggest he could develop into a contributor for Dallas if given the opportunity.
Pick Grade: B
WR, Traeshon Holden, Oregon
The Cowboys added a second wide receiver in their UDFA class with Traeshon Holden from Oregon. Holden, who began his collegiate career at Alabama, showcased improvement throughout his time in college. In his final year at Oregon, he recorded 45 receptions for 718 yards and five touchdowns. Notably, he had a standout performance against Ohio State with seven catches, 116-yards and two touchdowns. He certainly has reliable hands with an impressive 83.3% catch rate in 2024, and does well to make contested catches, even against some good cornerbacks. His problem is speed and explosiveness, where he really lacks both. He ran a 4.57s in the 49-yard dash and only hopped a 32” vertical.
Holden’s size, hands, and willingness as a run blocker make him an intriguing addition, but his path to make the practice squad is a real test.
Grade: B+
TE, Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
Fairweather has a little more intrigue here as the Cowboys spent time with him during a private workout before the draft after watching him at the Shrine Bowl. He began his collegiate career at Florida International University (FIU) then transferred to Auburn in 2023. During his college career, he amassed 116 receptions for 1,499 yards and 13 touchdowns. He demonstrates the ability to be a reliable target, most certainly on short routes. He lacks any speed at any area of the field, but his strength and catch radius projects more as redzone player. Add his ability to be a good run blocker only reinforces his redzone capabilities.
Fairweather’s combination of size, reliable hands, and blocking ability will certainly look to increase the competition at a position that was lacking last year.
Grade: B+
TE, Tyler Neville, Virginia
Neville was a graduate transfer from Harvard and played one season with the Cavaliers. He recorded 37 receptions for 394 yards and two touchdowns last season, and his best performance came in Week 2 against Wake Forest, when he caught four passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first UVA tight end since 2007 to achieve a two-touchdown game. He’s a dependable run blocker with toughness and a physical mentality, but Neville faces a massive uphill battle to secure a spot on the practice squad.
Grade: C+
LB, Justin Barron, Syracuse
At 6’4” and 225 pounds, Barron possesses the size and length that Dallas typically looks for in a linebacker. He’s a versatile defender who transitioned from safety to linebacker during his collegiate career, showcasing adaptability and athleticism on the field. They could look to use him as a hybrid linebacker and most definitely on special teams. His background as a safety contributes to his strengths in coverage, pursuit angles, and acceleration. But his areas for improvement, particularly in controlling his speed in space and shedding blocks, means he may struggle in the NFL as a full time linebacker. This signing has all the markings of a player taken for special team duty, which is something Dallas needs.
Grade: B
DB, Alijah Clark, Syracuse
Ranked highest on the board, Clark represents the best talent in this year’s UDFA signings for Dallas. What also adds some extra sauce with Clark is the fact he’s best suited to play the slot corner or nickel back role, a position that holds many questions in Dallas since Jourdan Lewis’ departure. If Dallas utilize Clark in the right way he could stand a chance at making the final roster and carries the most potential. While playing at both Rutgers and Syracuse, Clark amassed 189 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and pass breakups.
Grade: A-
S, Mike Smith Jr, Eastern Kentucky
Smith, a 6’1” and 206-pound safety had a pretty good 2024 season, recording 63 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups, and one forced fumble. His performance earned him multiple All-American honors and a unanimous First Team All-UAC selection whilst being the captain of the Colonels defense. His efforts helped Eastern Kentucky allow only 23 points per game en route to the FCS Playoffs with an 8-4 regular season record.
This is quite a savvy move for the Cowboys. His proven production, leadership qualities, and versatility provide depth at a position that has a level of uncertainty beyond this season.
Grade: B-
CB, Zion Childress, Kentucky
Childress, a Houston native, began his collegiate career at Texas State before transferring to Kentucky, where he became a two-time team captain and a versatile presence in the secondary. Over his five-year college career, he played in 62 games and amassed a whopping 283 tackles along with 13 tackles for loss, 17 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. The issue for Childress is in all that time he only accounted for one interception.
Childress comes with huge versatility having played multiple positions in the secondary, including safety, nickel and boundary cornerback. His experience in various roles showcases his adaptability, football IQ and coachability. If he works on tackling technique and shows improvement at rookie minicamp as well as training camp, there’s every chance he could make the practice squad.
Grade: B-
CB, Bruce Harmon, Stephen F. Austin
Harmon is from Rockwall, Texas and played six seasons for the Lumberjacks. In that time, he amassed 86 total tackles, 26 pass breakups, and eight interceptions. He was named to the Senior Bowl watchlist and was one of the more obscure names on the list. His combination of experience and special teams potential could make him an addition to the practice squad, but that could be a huge task for him here.
