With the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, teams are now moving on to rookie minicamps and OTAs. For every rookie, these are their first steps at the NFL level. The Dallas Cowboys drafted nine new players this year. Each of these picks is looking to be a contributor in year one.
The Cowboys went heavy on defense in this draft. They selected three defensive linemen, one linebacker and one corner. With the departure of key players like DeMarcus Lawrence and Eric Kendricks, the expectation is a good number of these players drafted will receive playing time.
Early in OTAs, one defensive rookie is already looking like he will have a big part on defense, but that player is not who most fans would expect to be turning heads.
Shemar James is turning heads in OTAs for the Cowboys
The Cowboys drafted Shemar James in the fifth round out of Florida. Recently, a photo surfaced of a Cowboys' assistant coach giving him a pat on the head for apparently knocking him over during a blocking drill.
The picture might not tell too much, but it supports what some have said about James coming out of the draft. His draft profile on NFL.com talked about his elusiveness and downhill physical play. His physicality certainly showed itself if he was able to show it in a routine camp drill.
While his size at 6'1" makes him the shortest linebacker on the roster, James has the potential to see the field in 2025. Some believe he is destined for special teams as a rookie learning the system, but this position group is thin in some areas and filled with question marks.
Dallas signed Jack Sanborn and traded for Kenneth Murray in the offseason, but neither one looks like the clear-cut starter in the middle. Both have played mostly reserve, rotational roles since their careers began. DeMarvion Overshown might not even play in 2025 due to suffering another significant injury.
The only other returning linebackers are Marist Liufau, Darius Harris, Buddy Johnson and Damone Clark. Liufau showed promise filling in for Overshown when he went down, but still has work to do. Meanwhile, Harris, Johnson and Clark have all been primarily special teamers since coming to Dallas.
With doubts at the linebacker spot and more depth needed, it was no surprise the Cowboys took James. Some have even considered him a steal, getting him in the fifth round. The former Florida Gator certainly has a long way to go before becoming a star, but if he keeps turning heads like he has so far in OTAs, Matt Eberflus might have found another key piece for the future of his defense.