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
Back in the lineup against Washington, Booker moved like a man who left the training room weeks ago. He played with quick feet and zero limp on his ankle. He reset the line of scrimmage on early downs, snapped off clean pass-offs on twists, and gave Dak Prescott plenty of runway to climb.
Booker’s best
trait is how he wins on first contact and then keeps the win with low pads, locked inside hand, and hips under him. In the run game he’s a menace with great power and aggression with good mobility to get into the second level. In protection he’s trending the right way with calmer sets, fewer grabby saves, and better recovery.
Grade: 60.3
Donovan Ezeiraku (DE)
Second Round
Against Washington, Ezeiruaku played with an unstoppable motor, hitting the same revs in the fourth quarter as the first which resulted in the big payoff, his first NFL sack. He set it up the way veterans do and threatened the offensive linemen with speed then snapping back under when the tackle panicked. He finished through the play and shut the escape hatch with good strength.
The best news is what comes next. Now that he’s cashed the first sack, Ezeiruaku moves from promising rookie to weekly problem.
Grade: 70.8
Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
Third Round
Currently on Non-Football injury list (NFI).
His 21-day window to return has officially started this week.
Jaydon Blue (RB)
Fifth Round
The snap count was limited last week, but Blue still flashed the stuff that will get him a second helping. He pressed the front side with patience and went north/south when he got the chance. He handled the unglamorous chores like keeping the pocket clean, and finished his carries much better than he did against the Carolina Panthers.
Going forward, Blue needs to keep being the change-up that punishes fatigue. he need to earn more reps by stacking boring victories with sturdy pass protection, no negative plays, and be ready to be an extra receiver when Brian Schottenheimer wants open the playbook. Do that, and the big-play looks he created against Washington won’t just be near-misses, they’ll be drive highlights that earns him extra snaps.
Grade: 61.7
Shemar James (LB)
Fifth Round
Dropped into a chippy division game, James played fast, loud, and impossible to ignore. He flew sideline-to-sideline, handled the run well, and kept checkdowns from turning into headaches. The speed shows up in how quickly he transitions to the mesh point then finish the play with good tackling technique. That tempo stabilized the second level and kept Washington’s stay ahead of the sticks plan from ever feeling comfortable.
He’ll occasionally overrun plays or take a flat angle on pursuits. But if he tightens up his first step he could go from exciting rookie to fan favorite with a promising future.
Grade: 55.7
Ajani Cornelius (OT)
Sixth Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A
Jay Toia (DT)
Seventh Round
Inactive
Grade: 28.6
Phil Mafah (RB)
Seventh Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A
Alijah Clark (CB)
UDFA
Clark made his handful of defensive snaps count with two clean tackles. He looks like a slot/safety hybrid with a sudden trigger post-snap, and special-teams options which has need his bread and butter so far this year. It’s not a headline yet, but it’s steady and reliable with no drama on tape so far, and that sort of statement buys a young defensive back more work the following week.
Grade: 66.9
Denver Broncos
Jahdae Barron (CB)
First Round
Denver took Barron in the first-round to play as their nickel corner. He plays with a quick trigger, tidy technique, and has scheme-friendly versatility. Denver uses him both inside and outside, where they can disguise alignment and show two-high, then rotate late, which absolutely fits Vance Joseph’s mix-and-match coverages.
The early stat line has been modest so far with six solo tackles and two pass breakups through six games, with limited snaps and sub-package calls as the corner behind Ja’Quan McMillian. The teachables for him so far are classics for a rookie corner. Stay firm on double-moves and keep the hands clean so flags stay in the officials pocket. Barron’s tape says dependable now, ascending soon, and perfectly calibrated to amplify Denver’s rush by stealing the quarterback’s first answer.
Grade: 54.9
RJ Harvey (RB)
Second Round
Working in JK Dobbins’ shadow, RJ Harvey’s carries have been light instead of playing a complete backup role. His biggest rushing night so far tops out at 58 yards, and most weeks he’s been the spell option to give Dobbins a break rather than the headliner. Even so, the traits flash when he’s called to the field with decisive press to the line and pads that stay low enough to survive first contact.
Last week against the Giants, Harvey had an important receiving touchdown that steadied the offense and helped steer Denver to a very close victory. And that’s his overlay on this backfield. Angle routes, screens, and quick swings that punish linebackers who overrun the spot. He accelerates like a returner, catches clean, and turns small windows into quick first downs.
Grade: 66.0
Pat Bryant (WR)
Third Round
Working as Denver’s fourth receiver, Bryant’s box stat sheet is a whisper. He has five receptions for 46 yards this season but the tape shows a player who understands spacing and timing. He’s plays with crisp stems, and hands that don’t fight the ball, two big pluses for a guy developing at this stage. Quiet production, clean operation, that’s the best way to describe him so far.
Grade: 48.0
Que Robinson (OLB)
Fourth Round
Robinson has two appearances under his belt so far this year. He’s registered five combined tackles and one tackle for loss that doesn’t yell out a major headline here, but the tape shows a player who closes space in a hurry. When he’s on the field, you see the straight-line burst, clean pursuit angles, and a knack for knifing through traffic to meet the ball on the right side of the line. Right now his snaps are light and show a guy used on sub-packages, early-down spurts, and special-teams. But there are traits to pay attention to.
Grade: 51.5
Jeremy Crawshaw (P)
Sixth Round
Crawshaw has given Denver exactly what you want from a young punter, clean kicks, steady hang, and directional punts that funnel returns to the boundary. He has landed four touchbacks this year when he’s overcooked the angle, but the consistency and placement have trended the right way. He leads the NFL in most punts landed inside the 20, and has boomed a long punt of 63 yards, that’s all good going.
Grade: 72.5
