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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Third-Round Pick Named Possible Surprise in 2025
Cowboys Third-Round Pick Named Possible Surprise in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys were able to both pick for depth and fill a hole at No. 76with East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. Advertisement Revel fell to the third round due to an ACL injury sustained in September; otherwise, the consensus is that he would have been a first-round pick. The 6-3, 193-pounder posted three interceptions in two years as a starter in college and added 12 pass deflections in 2023. USA Today's Bucs Wire predicted each team's biggest surprise from this year's draft, and picked Revel for the Dallas Cowboys. "The team was ecstatic to see Revel fall to the second round in April's draft, but didn't pull the trigger. Somehow, he made it to the third round," K.D. Drummond with Cowboys Wire wrote. "With Dallas clearly looking to end their investment in Trevon Diggs, Revel will be given every possible chance to prove he's a capable boundary corner once he's given the green light following his ACL recovery, that might delay his debut until October. Advertisement "Once he makes it to the field, though, fans shouldn't be surprised if he's one of the better rookie DBs in the game." Dallas lost Jourdan Lewis in free agency and Trevon Diggs has his own injury questions after suffering an ACL injury for the second season in a row. DaRon Bland is entering the final year of his contract also making his future in Dallas uncertain. Across three seasons at East Carolina, Revel posted 70 combined tackles with 37 solo and five for loss. He added a sack, three interceptions, including a pick-6, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Secondary projected as NFL's second-worst in 2025
Offseason criticism is nothing new for the Dallas Cowboys. After limping to a 7-10 record last season, criticism is expected at this pointm although some critiques are more warranted than others. Some are based on facts, circumstances and logical forecasts. Others are just sensationalization looking for knee-jerk reactions. A case can be made that Pro Football Focus' latest analysis fits either category. In PFF's secondary rankings for 2025 the Cowboys finished second to last. Despite rostering two former All-Pro cornerbacks, and a simultaneously deep and experienced safety room, the Cowboys managed to come in next-to-last. Advertisement The analysis points out that both Trevon Diggs (2021) and DaRon Bland (2023) have struggled to repeat their All-Pro success. It made no mention of Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker or anyone else in the safety group and largely focused on the decline of the headliners at CB, saying 'the prime years of these players may already be behind them.' There's no question the Cowboys enter the 2025 season with major concerns in their secondary. The players' abilities aren't the cause for the lost faith, rather it's the health and availability of the CB room that has everyone concerned. Diggs has played just 13 games since he signed his extension two seasons ago. His current rehab is expected to significantly delay his debut in 2025, as well. Bland has struggled to repeat his best season as well, playing just seven games in an injury-plagued 2024 season. His play slipped significantly, but injuries are believed to be the primary culprit. Unlike Diggs he's expected to be back to 100% by camp. Celebrating his 26th birthday on July 12 hardly makes him past his 'prime years,' as PFF suggested, and many predict a great season from the soon-to-be free agent. Advertisement Based on how the Cowboys CB room will look in Week 1, a No. 31 ranking is fair for that particular unit. But to act like Bland's successful season was a fluke and to suggest he's somehow over-the-hill is madness. Lumping him in with Diggs' situation is careless at best and by no means thoughtful analysis. Additionally, the rankings are on the entire secondary and not just the CB room so the safety group should get equal weight in these rankings. Dallas may not have an all-star safety room but they have playmakers, pedigree and playing time on their resumes. Hooker, the free safety, was graded inside PFF's top 15 in two of the last three seasons (out of a field of over 87 each year). As it's their own grading system, that should carry some weight with the website, right? At the end of the day the Cowboys deserve every bit of criticism they get but that doesn't mean the reasons behind every criticism are valid or even logical. Nothing to do now but prove those critics wrong. You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! Advertisement This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 2025 NFL predictions rank Cowboys cecondary second-worst
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Rookie Previews His ‘Deep Arsenal of Moves'
Cowboys Rookie Previews His 'Deep Arsenal of Moves' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Different players on the Dallas Cowboys defense have taken their turns having breakout campaigns in recent seasons. Micah Parsons lit up the league in his rookie season and Trevon Diggs nabbed a staggering 11 interceptions in 2021. Advertisement Da'Ron Bland then entered the spotlight in 2023, setting the NFL record for pick-sixes in a season. Last year, it was DeMarvion Overshown who provided an explosion and burst at the linebacker position that the Cowboys have missed for some time. These impressive showings all came from players young in their careers yet foundational pieces on the Dallas defense. So the obvious follow up is then... who's next? The Cowboys added several impressive defensive pieces through the draft and free agency. But one stood out in terms of the overall excitement from the team and the fan base. Second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku had a first-round grade on some boards before falling to the Cowboys at No. 44 overall. Thus far, the enticing attributes of his profile have translated to the team's offseason programs and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken note. Advertisement 'He's doing really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really great. You can't watch the guy and not get excited just watching him do the things that we're doing out there on the grass, the things that we saw coming out of Boston College. And then the work ethic is elite.' There's plenty of buzz behind Ezeiruaku. Can he maintain that through the rest of summer and into training camp? He's got his own feel on this based on his "deep arsenal of moves.'' I have a deep arsenal of moves,'' he said, via @TheDraftNetwork. "I obviously love that speed rush to the outside. Whether that's a cross chop or the side swipe, I love using my hands to deflect the OTs hands." Advertisement Sounds promising. Assuming the Cowboys finish Parsons' extension and he is back on the field for good, they are not completely void of pass rushing talent. They also return Dante Fowler Jr. after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders where he had 10.5 sacks. There's not a pressing need for Ezeiruaku to figure it all out in his rookie season. But it's hard to imagine a player who had 16.5 sacks at the Power 4 level a few months ago cannot find a way to contribute immediately on the professional stage. The attention Parsons draws will create opportunities for others on the defensive front. Ezeiruaku is a fine candidate to benefit from that extra attention. ... on the way to unleashing his "arsenal of moves.'' Advertisement Related: Cowboys' Micah Parsons Says 'Soon' With Cryptic New Musical Message Related: Cowboys Rookie Predicted to Be Better Than Travis Hunter This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donovan Ezeiruaku Offseason Could Be Big Development For Cowboys' Defense
Donovan Ezeiruaku Offseason Could Be Big Development For Cowboys' Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Different players on the Dallas Cowboys defense have taken their turns having breakout campaigns in recent seasons. Micah Parsons lit up the league in his rookie season and Trevon Diggs nabbed a staggering 11 interceptions in 2021. Advertisement Da'Ron Bland then entered the spotlight in 2023, setting the NFL record for pick-sixes in a season. Last year it was DeMarvion Overshown who provided an explosion and burst at the linebacker position that the Cowboys have missed for some time. These impressive showings all came from players young in their careers yet foundational pieces on the Dallas defense. So the obvious follow up is then... who's next? The Cowboys added several impressive defensive pieces through the draft and free agency. But one stood out in terms of the overall excitement from the team and the fan base. Second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku had a first-round grade on some boards before falling to the Cowboys at No. 44 overall. Thus far, the enticing attributes of his profile have translated to the team's offseason programs and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken note. Advertisement 'He's doing really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really great. You can't watch the guy and not get excited just watching him do the things that we're doing out there on the grass, the things that we saw coming out of Boston College. And then the work ethic is elite.' There's plenty of buzz behind Ezeiruaku. Can he maintain that through the rest of summer and into training camp? Assuming the Cowboys finish Parsons' extension and he is back on the field for good, they are not completely void of pass rushing talent. They also return Dante Fowler Jr. after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders where he had 10.5 sacks. There's not a pressing need for Ezeiruaku to figure it all out in his rookie season. But it's hard to imagine a player who had 16.5 sacks at the Power 4 level a few months ago cannot find a way to contribute immediately on the professional stage. Advertisement The attention Parsons draws will create opportunities for others on the defensive front. Ezeiruaku is the ideal candidate to benefit from that extra attention. Dallas has to tie up some loose ends with regard to his rookie contract, but once that is complete, the Cowboys could be looking at their next defensive star and another breakout campaign. Related: Ex Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Scores Unexpected Prize Related: Micah Parsons Gets Major Endorsement For Contract Extension This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 OTA Update: Cowboys best option to play slot CB might be All-Pro defender
2025 OTA Update: Cowboys best option to play slot CB might be All-Pro defender Some Cowboys OTA stuff: CB DaRon Bland got some work in the slot. Bland said he prefers to play outside but is cool with everything. QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) was cleared to work in OTA practices but not contact work. DE Micah Parsons wasn't at OTAs today. — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 20, 2025 The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best cornerback groups in the NFL, when healthy. Those last two words are extremely important when discussing the position because the defense isn't expected to have their full complement of CBs when the season begins. Without All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs and prized rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel in the lineup, the Cowboys have a pedestrian group. It's also a defense without a true slot corner since Jourdan Lewis moved on in free agency. Lewis is one of the best slot CBs in the league and was a staple in Dallas but now the team must find someone new to do the job that was held down for the last eight years. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is tasked to find the best option to replace Lewis, and when the Cowboys held their initial OTA session, one of the first options was DaRon Bland. The fourth-year veteran CB and All-Pro Pick-6 king might just be the best option. As a rookie, Bland made an impact in the second half of the season, when he primarily played the slot. PFF contributor and Cowboys game film content producer John Owning believes that Bland should be the top choice and backs it up with the coverage grade for the All-Pro. Guess that Cowboy Part 2! This is how a certain DAL player has performed among DBs since entering the NFL. — John Owning (@JohnOwning) May 15, 2025 In the "Guess that Cowboy Part 2" tweet, that 88th percentile coverage grade in the slot for Bland is the best of the current options and he looks versatile enough to handle the job. Bland is the best CB on the Cowboys, and they'll need to lean on him both before and after the injured players return. Dallas is doing their diligence in trying to find the best option, not just at slot corner, but where all the CB pieces fit. Bland being inside might be the top choice, but it leaves Kaiir Elam and some combination of Andrew Booth or Caelen Carson as the outside CBs until Diggs or Revel are ready, which isn't ideal. The team will have to weigh those risks if they are putting Bland in the slot. Bland wasn't the only defensive back who saw slot reps, veteran CB Israel Mukuamu, who has experience playing inside, and safety Juanyeh Thomas also got work in the slot at the first OTA. There's a long way to go before the Cowboys have to line up and play a game that matters; nothing is set in stone in May. These things tend to work themselves out; an unknown option could emerge in the next few months, or the health of the position could be improved by the time September rolls around. Training camp and preseason games will provide a clearer view of who the best CBs are, and where they fit on the roster. For now, Bland looks like the best choice to replace the stellar play Lewis provided in the slot. The Cowboys could do a lot worse than having an All-Pro man the position. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
