Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker (52) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (97) during the first half of an NFL game, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia.

Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker (52) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Moro Ojomo (97) during the first half of an NFL game, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia.

Elías Valverde II/Staff Photographer

A rookie has to deal with a lot in their first NFL season. The lead up to the draft is filled with training for sprinting and jumping and other physical measurements at the NFL Scouting Combine. After that, it’s filled with job interviews in the hope of selling one team on selecting them — the earlier the better. Then it’s a quick download of the playbook, followed by a season filled with welcome-to-the-NFL moments. 

Bearings? They can’t get those during their rookie season. Which is why the second-year jump exists. 

The second season can be a catalyst for a NFL player. If players can make the jump and take advantage of a full offseason, then their career trajectory could reflect that rise. Fail to make the most of it, and the trajectory could reflect that, too. 

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Let’s look at the Dallas Cowboys from the 2025 draft and how they each could make the second-year jump. 

Recently, former Cowboys offensive lineman Robert Jones asked Booker a similar question to what he was asked during organized team activities last month: how different is it playing in the NFL now that he has a whole season under his belt? Booker cracked a big smile when he shared his answer to Jones with reporters recently. 

“I know the playbook, and now that I have a great grasp of the playbook,” Booker said, “I’m able to focus more on my technique and the execution of the plays.”

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That should be encouraging, considering where Booker had ascended to as a rookie. As Booker noted last year during training camp, playing in the NFL can sometimes be like “doing algebra in a fist fight.” There’s a lot to handle. Booker didn’t look overwhelmed at all during his first season out of Alabama. In fact, the former first round pick looked like he had a good handle on things. He was in the top half of right guards in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. He also had the highest ranking among rookie guards ahead of Detroit’s Tate Ratledge and Seattle’s Grey Zabel. 

Booker also didn’t sound like a rookie last year. The Cowboys drafted him because of his “alpha” reputation at Alabama. By the time the season ended, Booker was vocal. Quarterback Dak Prescott said he would often hear Booker yell “dominate” during pregame work. 

Booker already is on an ascending trajectory. The question is how much higher can that trajectory aim after his second season?

The Cowboys really liked Ezeiruaku’s pass-rush ability coming out of Boston College. He was the nation’s leader in sacks during his final college season for a reason. He looked like he had multiple different pass rush moves, which is something not every rookie can say. 

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Ironically, in his first season, it might’ve been his run defense that was better. Ezeiruaku had nine tackles for loss. He also led all rookie edge rushers in defensive stops (18), according to PFF. That stat is awarded to players when they make a tackle and the location of the tackle means the play was successful for the defense. 

If Ezeiruaku wants to make the jump in Year 2, he’ll have to take another step as a pass rusher on a defense that needs added pressure. He was fourth among rookie edge rushers last year with 36 pressures. He finished with two sacks. 

One interesting note: a new defense means a new position for Ezeiruaku. He’ll now be an outside linebacker in Christian Parker’s system. That doesn’t change much of the expectations for him to get after the quarterback, however.

Revel had an interesting rookie season. Scouts believed he had first round talent, but the former East Carolina corner fell to the third round. That’s because of a torn ACL he suffered early in his final college season. The Cowboys took their time with Revel’s recovery. He didn’t make his NFL debut until Nov. 17. 

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Revel had some struggles in his first season. That was especially true in zone coverage. Therein lies where Revel can improve. The Cowboys believe Revel, at 6-2, has the length and wingspan to be shutdown in man coverage for the Cowboys. If Revel can stay healthy after a full offseason, improve his zone coverage skills and clean up his technique, he could take a jump in Year 2.

Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates after scoring a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (23) celebrates after scoring a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL game against the New York Giants on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Juan Figueroa/Staff Photographer

The Cowboys are optimistic that Blue might’ve already taken his second year jump. Blue was inactive for a lot of last season. He had the talent and he had an understanding of the playbook, but he needed to improve his day-to-day work as a professional. That’s what the Cowboys told him at their end-of-the-year evaluation. 

Blue seemingly took that to heart over the course of the offseason. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted Blue’s improvement in that area. He also said that nothing would make the offensive staff happier than for Blue to become the explosive complement to starting running back Javonte Williams this season. 

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Now they just have to see it during training camp and in the preseason.  

Last year’s defense under Matt Eberflus was the worst in the NFL and one of the worst defenses in franchise history. That means a lot of players struggled in it. James, in his rookie season, wasn’t an exception. 

The good news: the fifth round pick out of Florida had 542 snaps of experience during his rookie season. That means he should have plenty of film on where to refine his game and where he could improve.

James was excited at the end of last year to have a full offseason. A new coaching staff on defense should certainly be exciting, too. 

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Cornelius appeared in one game during his rookie season. He played just seven special teams snaps. 

The Cowboys do have some openings for backup offensive linemen this season. If Cornelius wants to take a second year jump, he’ll have to earn a spot as a reliable backup in the rotation.

Toia bounced around from being inactive and active last season. He played in five total games for the Cowboys and — just like with James — he wasn’t immune to the struggles of the overall defense. 

If Toia wants to take the next step, he’ll have to settle into a role as the run-stopping interior defensive lineman the Cowboys hoped he could be when they selected him out of UCLA.

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (37) waits his turn to carry the ball during a mini-camp practice at The Star in Frisco, June 16, 2026.

Dallas Cowboys running back Phil Mafah (37) waits his turn to carry the ball during a mini-camp practice at The Star in Frisco, June 16, 2026.

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News

There’s a lot of optimism about Mafah in the Cowboys’ backfield. The former seventh round pick starred at Clemson, running for 3,196 yards and 28 touchdowns in four seasons. He then played well in the preseason before an injury shut him down until the season finale. He and Blue both had a touchdown in the finale against the Giants.

The Cowboys didn’t do anything notable this offseason at running back outside of re-signing Williams. Part of that is their belief in Mafah. Like Williams, he’s a tough, balanced running back. There’s optimism that he could step into a larger role, if needed. 

Mafah, Blue and Malik Davis should have a lot of work in training camp and in the preseason.

Let’s add one undrafted free agent to this list, shall we? Holden impressed in training camp last year before spending all of last season on the practice squad. Could the former undrafted free agent do it again? He might have the chance. Holden appeared during minicamp to be higher in the wide receiver rotation than he was last year and, frankly, than was expected to start this offseason. There’s going to be plenty of competition for the team’s fifth wide receiver spot. Holden should be considered a viable candidate, especially if he can consistently make the most out of chances in training camp.  

Other notable former undrafted free agents with a chance to make the roster again: DB Alijah Clark, LB Justin Barron, DB Zion Childress and DB Trikweze Bridges.