Several Cowboys rookies should play a vital role in 2025.
The Dallas Cowboys had an excellent 2025 NFL Draft, selecting several players who will start early and often for them this year, and others who will be vital backups. How these rookies perform on a game-by-game basis could be the difference between success and failure this year, which is why we wanted to highlight some of the head-to-head matchups we are looking forward to this season.
Cowboys 2025 draft class pic.twitter.com/LMCf3pEbBz
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) April 26, 2025
Good or bad, the Cowboys will be relying on several of these rookies from the 2025 draft class to play significant roles for them this season. In truth, about half of these rookies could be key players for them this year either as starters or as backups. And with that in mind, here are several head-to-head rookie matchups we are looking forward to watching this year.
Week 1 & 12 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
RB Jaydon Blue vs. LB Jihaad Campbell
Getting Jaydon Blue matched up in the head-to-head battle with the Eagles rookie LB Jihaad Campbell should be extremely advantageous for the Cowboys. Blue’s game breaking speed (4.28) makes him extremely difficult to contain as a runner and receiver out of the backfield
Week 2 & 18 Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
RG Tyler Booker vs. DT Darius Alexander
Tyler Booker will get is welcome to the NFL moment in Week 1 against the Eagles DT Jalen Carter, but the Giants rookie DT Darius Alexander is someone else he’ll face twice a year for the foreseeable future. If he can hold up against Carter, Alexander should be no problem.
Week 3 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Chicago Bears
CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Luther Burden
Luther Burden is one of several rookie WRs Shavon Revel could be matched up against this year if he overcomes his injury early enough. It’s unknown right now what type of role each of these players may have this early in the season, but this still would be an intriguing head-to-head matchup between talented rookies.
Week 4 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Matthew Golden
The headline of this game could be Dallas’ decision to draft Tyler Booker over Matthew Golden, but as far as head-to-head rookie matchups go, Revel against Golden is the one to watch. It’s possible this battle helps sway the outcome of the game.
Week 5 – Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Jets
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku vs. OT Armand Membou
Donovan Ezeiruaku was one of the most athletically gifted pass rusher’s in the 2025 draft class and Armand Membou was one of the most athletically gifted tackles. This display of athleticism should make this head-to-head rookie matchup entertaining.
Week 6 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers
CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Tetairoa McMillan, DT Jay Toia vs. RB Trevor Etienne
This rookie matchup is all about the Jonathan Mingo trade. Trevor Etienne was drafted with the pick Carolina received by trading Mingo to the Cowboys and Tetairoa McMillan replaces him in the lineup.
Week 7 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku vs. OT Josh Conley
Ezeiruaku versus Josh Conley could be an intriguing head-to-head battle for years to come. These two rookies could be starters at this point in the season and both should be vital to the teams success this year, making this an interesting rookie matchup.
Week 8 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos
CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Pat Bryant
Revel has already faced more talented WRs than Pat Bryant at this point in the season, but this is still an intriguing rookie matchup worth watching nonetheless. With Sean Payton calling plays, Bryant could play an important role with Denver as a rookie this year.
Week 9 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
RG Tyler Booker vs. DT Walter Nolen
Walter Nolen was one of the most disruptive DTs in the entire 2025 draft class and could be a problem for Booker who isn’t known for his athleticism. As long as Booker stays technique sound, Nolen’s speed and athleticism shouldn’t be a problem.
Week 11 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Las Vegas Raiders
DT Jay Toia vs. RB Ashton Jeanty, CB Shavon Revel vs. WR Jack Bech
This Week 11 matchup with the Raiders features a couple of intriguing rookie matchups to watch. If Jay Toia can help contain Ashton Jeanty and Revel can do the same with Jack Bech, the Cowboys have a really good chance of walking away with the “W”.
Week 13 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs
DE Donovan Ezeiruaku vs. OT Josh Simmons, RG Tyler Booker vs. DT Omar Norman-Lott
This Thanksgiving Day game could be all about protecting the QB. If Donovan Ezeiruaku can get the best of Josh Simmons, Patrick Mahomes could be in trouble, but if Omar Norman-Lott gets the better of Booker, Dak Prescott could be the one in trouble.
Week 14 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions
RG Tyler Booker vs. DT Tyleik Williams
Booker could have his hands full with any of Detroit’s talented defensive line, but Tyleik Williams is the rookie to keep an eye on in Week 14. Even though they didn’t face each other in college, there’s probably a natural dislike coming from championship winning programs.
Week 15 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
DT Jay Toia vs. G Donovan Jackson
There’s a chance Toia is a starting 1-technique at this point in the season for the Cowboys. The head-to-head matchup between him and Donovan Jackson could help sway the outcome of the game considering how RB Aaron Jones has owned Dallas in the past.
Week 16 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers
DT Jay Toia vs. RB Omarion Hampton
Much like with Jeanty earlier this season, Toia could be vital to containing Omarion Hampton in this Week 16 matchup. As a big-bodied run stuffer, Toia could help clog up the running lanes, preventing Hampton from finding much room to run.
