Image Source: Mike Poland
Key Takeaways:
- The Dallas Cowboys’ rookie class had a mixed performance in their final game of the season against the New York Giants.
- Guard Tyler Booker had a slight step down from his usual standard, but still had a solid game with no sacks surrendered and solid work in the running game.
- Edge rusher Isaiah Ezeiruaku had a disappointing game, with a quiet performance as a rusher and a loss of composure that led to his ejection.
- Running back Jaydon Blue was one of the few positives for the Cowboys, with 64 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
- Safety Jayden James had a productive outing, with 15 total tackles and a half-sack, but was part of a defensive effort that ultimately wasn’t good enough.
- Running back Phil Mafah had a small-sample, high-impact debut, with 18 yards and a touchdown on 5 carries.
Introduction to the Rookie Class Performance
The Dallas Cowboys’ season came to an end with a loss to the New York Giants, and the rookie class had a mixed performance in their final game. As head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted, "it wasn’t our cleanest outing in protection," but the team still had some positive moments. In this article, we’ll break down the performance of each rookie and see how they fared in their final game of the season.
Guard Tyler Booker’s Performance
Tyler Booker, the Cowboys’ rookie guard, had a slight step down from his usual standard, but still had a solid game. As Schottenheimer noted, "Cooper Beebe allowed four pressures and Booker two, which he called one of the highest totals Booker has had all year." Despite this, Booker still managed to keep the pocket clean, with no sacks surrendered and solid work in the running game. The Cowboys’ interior line, with Booker as part of the core, helped the team to 30 rushes for 143 yards, with both Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah scoring on inside runs. As Booker himself said, "I’m just trying to get better every day, and I feel like I’ve made some progress this season."
Edge Rusher Isaiah Ezeiruaku’s Disappointing Game
Isaiah Ezeiruaku, the Cowboys’ rookie edge rusher, had a disappointing game. He finished with just one tackle, no sacks, and no tackles for loss, and was ejected from the game after ripping the helmet off a Giants player. As Schottenheimer noted, "it was a tough day for Isaiah, but he’s a young player and he’ll learn from it." Ezeiruaku’s best moment came when he beat the edge clean and buried the Giants’ quarterback, but the play was wiped out by a penalty. Despite this, Ezeiruaku’s performance was mostly quiet, and he didn’t make much of an impact as a rusher.
Running Back Jaydon Blue’s Positive Performance
Jaydon Blue, the Cowboys’ rookie running back, was one of the few positives for the team. He carried 17 times for 64 yards and his first NFL touchdown, and showed the vision and leg drive needed to get more playing time next season. As Blue said, "it was a great feeling to get my first touchdown, and I’m just trying to build on that for next season." Blue’s performance was efficient, with four yards per carry on a day when the offense was chasing the game. He didn’t factor in the passing game, but he didn’t put the ball at risk or take any negative runs that killed drives.
Safety Jayden James’ Productive Outing
Jayden James, the Cowboys’ rookie safety, had a productive outing, with 15 total tackles and a half-sack. He was on the field almost all night, playing 72 defensive snaps, and showed that he can handle a true starter’s workload. As James said, "I’m just trying to get better every day, and I feel like I’ve made some progress this season." James was part of a defensive effort that ultimately wasn’t good enough, but he showed that he can fly around and make plays behind the line on occasion.
Running Back Phil Mafah’s Debut
Phil Mafah, the Cowboys’ rookie running back, had a small-sample, high-impact debut. He played 10 offensive snaps, all in the second half, and turned that into five carries for 18 yards and his first NFL touchdown. As Mafah said, "it was a great feeling to get my first touchdown, and I’m just trying to build on that for next season." Mafah’s performance was decisive and physical, with tough, contested yards, and he didn’t put the ball at risk or take any negative runs that killed drives.
Cornerback DaRon Bland’s Performance
DaRon Bland, the Cowboys’ rookie cornerback, stepped into a full-time outside role against the Giants and had a busy, if imperfect, afternoon. He played 56 defensive snaps, finishing with five total tackles and no passes defensed, interceptions, sacks, or forced fumbles. As Bland said, "I’m just trying to get better every day, and I feel like I’ve made some progress this season." Bland’s performance was mostly neutral, with no glaring busts, but he didn’t produce any true impact plays in coverage or as a blitzer.
Conclusion
Overall, the Cowboys’ rookie class had a mixed performance in their final game of the season. While some players, like Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, showed promise, others, like Isaiah Ezeiruaku, had disappointing games. As Schottenheimer noted, "it’s a learning process for these young players, and we’ll use this game as a teaching tool to help them improve for next season." The Cowboys will look to build on the positives from this game and use the offseason to develop their young players and make a push for the playoffs next season.
https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/dallas-cowboys-roster/24480973/rookie-class-season-finale-giants-tyler-booker-donovan-ezeiruaku