{"id":45753,"date":"2025-05-03T02:53:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T02:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45753"},"modified":"2025-05-03T02:53:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T02:53:50","slug":"breaking-cowboys-officially-sign-7-rookies-and-assign-new-jersey-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=45753","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: Cowboys Officially Sign 7 Rookies and Assign New Jersey Numbers.."},"content":{"rendered":"
Some of these numbers might stick. Most won\u2019t. What matters is which Dallas Cowboys will earn the right to keep or change them.<\/div>\n
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Rookie jersey numbers dropped this week as the\u00a0Cowboys\u00a0kicked off minicamp, and we as media and fans always love to overanalyze what a number means.<\/p>\n

Does it say something about confidence? Legacy? Fit? Maybe.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s pump the brakes for a second.<\/p>\n

The seven new contracts signed with the rookie draftees?<\/p>\n

Those are in ink and permanent.<\/p>\n

They are …<\/p>\n

G Tyler Booker<\/p>\n

CB Shavon Revel<\/p>\n

LB Shemar James<\/p>\n

T Ajani Cornelius<\/p>\n

RB Phil Mafa<\/p>\n

DT Jay Toia<\/p>\n

DT Tommy Akingbesote<\/p>\n

That means the only unsigned draft picks as of Friday afternoon are second-round pick DE Donovan Ezeiruaku and fifth-round pick RB Jaydon Blue.<\/p>\n

Now, what about the jersey numbers?<\/p>\n

These numbers are temporary \u2014 at least for a few guys. Not finalized. Not etched in stone. Just something to wear while you\u2019re proving you belong.<\/p>\n

And they are …<\/p>\n

52 Tyler Booker<\/p>\n

41 Donovan Ezeiruaku<\/p>\n

27 Shavon Revel<\/p>\n

34 Jaydon Blue<\/p>\n

50 Shemar James<\/p>\n

69 Ajani Cornelius<\/p>\n

93 Jay Toia<\/p>\n

37 Phil Mafah<\/p>\n

72 Tommy Akingbesote<\/p>\n

Our fun thoughts?<\/p>\n

Tyler Booker is in 52 \u2014 straight-up business. It’s a physical number and theres nothing sexy about it. Perfectly matching his game.<\/p>\n

Donovan Ezeiruaku claimed 41, which feels like a tweener hybrid number that fits his edge-rushing versatility.<\/p>\n

Shavon Revel is rolling with 27 \u2014 a corner number that already feels like it belongs on special teams coverage reps in August.<\/p>\n

Jaydon Blue (who at one time was going to be 23) is rocking 34, which tells you he\u2019s coming in to earn whatever role he can carve out.<\/p>\n

Shemar James gets 50 \u2014 linebacker energy through and through. Classic. Clean.<\/p>\n

Ajani Cornelius pulled 69, and while the number might get some laughs, he\u2019s got a shot to be a real depth piece if he shows out.<\/p>\n

Jay Toia gets 93 \u2014 and that\u2019s a number you wear if you\u2019re planning to eat blocks and blow up double teams. (He fits the description). It’s also the number he wore at UCLA so that’s a noteworthy nod as far as what the Cowboys think of him.<\/p>\n

Phil Mafah takes 37, which is unconventional for a running back, but he\u2019s not exactly a conventional runner.<\/p>\n

And Tommy Akingbesote slides into 72 \u2014 for a defensive lineman? Ya, maybe not ideal but his future will be up to nobody but him. … though it did work for Too Tall Jones.<\/p>\n

Bottom line \u2014 these numbers are temporary for most. Whether they earn a better one or get cut, the real story won\u2019t be what\u2019s on the front or back of the jersey… it\u2019s what they put on film in it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of these numbers might stick. Most won\u2019t. What matters is which Dallas Cowboys will earn the right to keep or change them. 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