With the 217th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected DT Jay Toia.
The Dallas Cowboys decided to help their defensive tackle position, a very thin one on the roster.
Overview
Three-year starter with the build and mentality to play nose tackle in odd or even fronts. Toia carries a girthy base and is heavy into first contact. He has the power to give good resistance against all forms of blocks that come his way but a lack of length makes him more of a space eater than a block beater. He pummels single-block protection with violent club moves for sporadic pressures but is unlikely to get home. He’ll need to improve his block recognition and fine-tune his take-on to be his best version of a two-down run defender.
Strengths
Brings nose tackle thickness to the field.
Good aggression and effort level on each snap.
Battles double-teams with a wide base and strong back leg.
Drive power to penetrate the line versus finesse blocks.
Opens rush edge with violent slaps and club moves.
Weaknesses
Average hand quickness getting into first contact.
Lack of length allows blocks to crowd his chest.
Could struggle with shed quickness as an NFL two-gapper.
Unlikely to maintain gap integrity against stretch plays.
Tethered to his starting point, limiting his production.
Cowboys 2025 draft picks:
Round 1, pick 12 – G Tyler Booker (Alabama)
Round 2, pick 44 – DE Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)
Round 3, pick 76 – CB Shavon Revel (East Carolina)
Round 5, pick 149 – RB Jaydon Blue (Texas)
Round 5, pick 152 – LB Shemar James (Florida)
Round 6, pick 204 – OL Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
Round 7, pick 217 – DT Jay Toia (UCLA)
Round 7, pick 239
Round 7, pick 247
Cowboys needs:
WR: The Cowboys need an offensive complement to CeeDee Lamb with Brandin Cooks leaving in free agency.
RB: The additions of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders won’t stop the team from searching for a potential RB1 in this draft.
CB: Trevon Diggs’ injury, Jourdan Lewis’ departure in free agency, and DaRon Bland becoming a free agent next season means the team needs help. The current depth is lackluster.
DT: The 1-tech spot at the moment is Mazi Smith and not much else. Dallas should certainly look to add a draft prospect here.
OL: The Cowboys have most of the line filled in, but there is a chance they want a young player to compete for the right guard position.
LB: The Cowboys made some additions in the offseason to fill a thin position, but they could use another talented young player to put in the mix.