Each week we dive into each team’s rookie class and compare how they stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)
Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Booker (OG)
First Round
This is a communication street fight for Booker. If he and Brock Hoffman pass off every twist like a baton, Chicago’s simulated pressure turns into just four guys running in place. Win first contact against length, keep the pocket square, and Dallas can live in second-and-manageable all afternoon. Do that, and Booker doesn’t just survive, he erases the chaos the Bears need to steal this one. Later in the week on Reading Between the Lines here on BTB we’ll take a deeper dive into Bookers challenges for this week.
Grade: 53.0
Donovan Ezeiraku (DE)
Second Round
Through two games, Ezeiruaku has one solo tackle and zero sacks, a light statistical start while he acclimates to NFL speed and Dallas mixes its sub-packages. The good news for Ezeiruaku is the Bears’ offense has protection problems. Detroit sacked Caleb Williams four times and held Chicago to penalty-soaked drives. That’s fertile ground for a speedy, inside-counter rusher like Ezeiruaku.
This sets up like a breakout game for the rookie pass rusher. Chicago’s tackles have been leaking and Ezeiruaku brings fresh legs and a first step that kills. If he keeps his rush lanes tight on Williams so he’s forced to climb into traffic, not out the back door, it can all fall into place for Ezeiruaku. We could be seeing his first sack this weekend.
Grade: 72.9
Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
Third Round
Currently on Non-Football injury list (NFI)
Jaydon Blue (RB)
Fifth Round
Another week inactive and we wait for news on if the coaches feel he can make it to the field this week. With Miles Sanders scoring last week after Javonte Williams had another big game, could see Brian Schottenheimer sticking to what’s working. That means less of our boy Blue.
Grade: N/A
Shemar James (LB)
Fifth Round
Watching Jack Sanborn try to cover the seam last week was both frustrating and disappointing. A guy like James might have been golden in that area of the field, but we have to wait for the coaches to feel confident putting him in. So for now, it’s a case of wait and watch for James and whether he gets to see action.
Grade: N/A
Ajani Cornelius (OT)
Sixth Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A
Jay Toia (DT)
Seventh Round
The rookie nose is still easing in and has one tackle with zero sacks so far. He’s been used situationally to anchor early downs and absorb double teams while the Cowboys mix sub-fronts, so this will take time for Toia. But this week is a trench bully game for Toia. Win half a yard on first down and Chicago’s shiny playbook shrinks to panic buttons. Dent the pocket, don’t just hold it, and make Caleb Williams climb into traffic. Given the Bears coughed up four sacks and 12 pressures last week, Toia could find a few A-gap wins.
Grade: 30.2
Phil Mafah (RB)
Seventh Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A
Chicago Bears
Colston Loveland (TE)
First Round
Usage for Loveland has been modest so far this year, but on-script for a rookie behind a veteran room. He has two receptions for 12 yards so far, after a debut with 57% of offensive snaps and a small target share. Early efficiency indicators are shallow by volume, with an average depth of target of just 2.5 yards, meaning he’s mostly getting quick outlets and underneath throws as Chicago sorts its passing game out. Expect his role to expand as spacing and protection improve, if they improve.
Loveland projects as a classic in-line or slot-flex tight end with plus movement skills for his size with loose hips, clean hitch/comeback transitions, and good timing at the catch point. His biggest setback is the Bears offense in general that lacks efficiency.
Grade: 48.7
Luther Burden II (WR)
Second Round
During the draft season a lot of Cowboys fans wanted Burden to be the first of the draft for Dallas, and with good reason. A dynamic slot receiver with running-back balance after the catch, short-area burst and contact strength, Burden adds firepower to an offense and offers great RPO utility options. At Missouri he was a high-volume YAC weapon, and he tested well pre draft. With a compact frame that suits quick separation and screen work he is very exciting to watch.
The Bears got to him, however, before Dallas could call his name in the second round, but so far in Chicago it’s been quiet from the dynamic playmaker who has made only two catches for two yards across two games. Early usage has been limited behind Rome Odunze and the veteran rotation, but he’s logged situational snaps and special-teams downs while the Bears’ offense finds its footing. Expect gradual growth in manufactured touches as Chicago stabilizes its offense and expands the rookie’s role. Is that going to happen as early as Week 3? Doubtful.
Grade: 46.7
Shemar Turner (DT)
Second Round
The next two guys on this list are quite a head-scratcher if you’re a Bears fan. Turner adds some real juice to the inside and this Bears defensive line needs it. But the coaching staff over in Chicago are not only opting to stick with the veterans and their guys, they keeping Turner inactive. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M has yet to play a single snap this year, but is a healthy scratch. This has infuriated Bears fans and media personnel are running with the story based on the fact the defense is struggling and the guys they’re playing are doing very little. Does that happen again this week? Unknown, but you can be sure if he is and the defensive line fails to Dallas, those media guys are going to off the wall.
Grade: N/A
Ozzy Trapilo (OT)
Second Round
The second guy that can’t get on the field despite heavy failings at his respective position is Trapilo. Also taken in the second, Trapilo has been inactive since the season started and the Bears offensive line seriously has problems. Why he can’t get on the field or why the coaches are choosing to keep him inactive while the offensive linemen are being thrown around like empty tracksuits is a mystery, and one that that has Bears fans up in arms.
Grade: N/A
Ruben Hyppolite II (LB)
Fourth Round
It’s been a light but positive rookie start on rotational and special-teams snaps. He’s logged a handful of defensive reps with four total tackles with no splash plays yet, looking to stop runs inside and running to the football when on the field. The usage matches expectation for a Day-3 linebacker on a veteran unit. The Maryland product is a twitchy, undersized WILL hybrid linebacker with real range and pursuit speed. A high-motor space backer with click-and-close burst, special-teams temperament, and enough zone feel to hold up on passing downs.
Grade: 73.9
Kyle Monangai (RB)
Seventh Round
Best way to put this is limited but encouraging. In Week 1 vs. Minnesota he logged one catch for 11 yards in a 27–24 loss. In Week 2 at Detroit he handled his first NFL carries making seven rushes for 28 yards (4.0 YPC) and one catch for eight yards, working as the RB2 behind D’Andre Swift. His role looks to be as the change-of-pace back who can grind out snaps when Chicago finds a way to get ahead on offense, but there in lays his biggest problem.
Grade: 53.4
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