Locked On Cowboys Podcast – Dallas Cowboys MIDSEASON Review | 2025 Rookie Recap!

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Episode Overview

This episode of Locked On Cowboys delivers a frank midseason review of the Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 campaign, centering on the team’s struggles, notably on defense, and a deep dive into the rookie class’s early performance. Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool analyze the team's current standing at the halfway mark, evaluate major coaching storylines, and provide candid, detailed assessments of all significant rookie contributors thus far. The tone is realistic and, at times, critical, but with hope for future development.

Big Picture: State of the Cowboys at Midseason

[01:42–11:14]

• The Cowboys sit at 3-4-1, much lower than preseason expectations.
• Offense is good enough to win but the defense is “hamstringing” the team to the point of futility.
• The NFC is crowded with average teams, making every loss more damaging.
• Defensive woes echo horror stories of previous lost seasons, notably comparisons to the 2013 defense.
• There’s widespread concern over defensive execution, lack of turnovers, and “incompetence” in both personnel and coaching.

Notable Quotes:

• “You have an offense that you can win with, but your defense is clearly, you know, hamstringing you to the point where it’s almost pointless.” – Landon McCool [02:33]
• "This team isn't even producing turnovers... at least with the 2022 defenses you felt like they were bad, but maybe they could create a big play." – Landon McCool [03:45]
• "It's unfortunate because we've seen this same exact story play out in 2013... There would be games where you would score 48 points and you'd lose." – Marcus Mosher [04:52]
• "Bo Nix is a fine quarterback, NFL average, but he put up 44 points against this defense and that’s, you know, embarrassing." – Landon McCool [07:31]

Key Discussion Points

• Lack of defensive progress and basic miscommunications.
• Defensive staff and personnel need major overhaul.
• Even average NFL offenses are putting up historic numbers against the Cowboys’ defense.
• Calls for increased accountability and urgency in defensive coaching.

Coaching & Quarterback Check-In

[07:57–11:14]

• Preseason concerns were if Brian Schottenheimer could handle the head coach/play-caller dual role, and if Dak Prescott would sustain high-level play.
• Verdict: Schottenheimer gets a pass and some praise, and Dak is still a franchise-level QB.

Memorable Quotes:

• “I definitely think Schottenheimer is our guy… He earned this job.” – Landon McCool [08:28]
• “He still has a lot of growing to do... But he doesn’t seem overwhelmed.” – Marcus Mosher [09:42]
• "I think it's going to be imperative that [Schottenheimer] gets the right defensive coordinator to be paired with for the next three or four years." – Marcus Mosher [09:55]
• “I do feel good about the core of this offense, the head coach of this team and the play caller.” – Landon McCool [09:14]

Rookie Class Review

1st Round – Tyler Booker, G (Alabama)

[13:03–17:53]

• Booker has flashed his trademark physicality and “mean streak” especially as a run blocker.
• Overcame a high ankle injury to perform well in recent weeks.
• Some growth needed in processing stunts in pass protection, but overall delivering as advertised.

Quotes & Insights:

• “He finishes in a way that you’d love to see. I love the attitude he brings when he’s on the field.” – Landon McCool [13:32]
• “He's actually surpassed a lot of my expectations already... He can be such a dominating run blocker that I think you're willing to live with some of the warts that come in the pass game.” – Marcus Mosher [16:28]
• “[Booker] is like a plus plus in this area... looking to bury dudes.” – Landon McCool [17:16]
• Cowboys could debate positional value at pick No. 12, but Booker looks like a long-term foundational player.

2nd Round – Donovan Azaraku, EDGE (Boston College)

[17:53–21:01]

• Started slow but has surged as the season progresses, earning more snaps over Sam Williams.
• Pressure and win rates are elite recently, though sacks are still developing.
• Still needs growth as a run defender, but is one of the defense’s lone bright spots.

Notable Data:

• “Fifth highest graded edge rusher in the NFL since Week 5” (per PFF).

• Win rates last 4 games: 12.1–22.2%. League’s best hover around 20%. – Marcus Mosher [20:13]

• “He may just be your best defensive end... If you give him more and more chances, he may just grow into it.” – Landon McCool [18:34]

3rd Round – Savon Revel, CB

[21:01–21:22]

• Still sidelined on NFI list, practicing and expected post-bye debut.

• Complete unknown due to lack of preseason and early season tape.

• “We haven't seen any of him yet, so it's all just brand new to us.” – Landon McCool [21:16]

Day 3 Picks

Jaden Blue, RB

[24:06–26:52]

• Delayed integration into the offense. Flashes explosiveness but fumble issues and reluctance to fight through contact are major drawbacks.
• Likely not a key future asset at this stage.

Quotes:

• “He doesn't run through contact, that's for sure. I mean, he just falls down every time he gets hit and that's a problem.” – Marcus Mosher [26:33]
• “Blue has been a slow rollout into the lineup and just disappointing when he's gotten his chance.” – Landon McCool [26:52]

Shamar James, LB

[27:49–28:46]

• Extremely athletic, productive in terms of tackle numbers but poor average depth of tackle (many at 6–7 yards downfield).
• No tackles for loss, highlighting struggles to disrupt plays in the backfield.
• Coverage work inconsistent; not missing tackles but not making impact defensive plays yet.

"He forced a fumble. He looks good as a blitzer... But he's a year away at least." – Marcus Mosher [28:46]

Traquez Bridges, CB

[29:03–30:35]

• 25-year-old rookie, thrust into starting CB role due to injuries.
• Shaky but earned an interception; performances have been up-and-down, as expected for a late-round rookie in a tough spot.
• "He hasn't been fantastic, but he got an interception this week. He certainly got burned a lot. But for a seventh round pick... he's been pretty decent." – Landon McCool [29:24]

Youth Movement & Looking Forward

[30:05–30:38]

• With the season tilting toward mediocrity, both hosts express the desire for Dallas to “play the kids” and use the rest of the season for evaluation and player development.

“If you're going to be a bad team or an average team... you might as well just go down with a bunch of guys that you're trying to figure out what their role might be in 2026 and beyond.” – Marcus Mosher [30:05]

Episode Highlights & Closing Thoughts

• The hosts delivered a blunt assessment: defense must be rebuilt; offense and coaching have some promising cores.
• Rookie class has shown flashes, but contributors outside the top two picks are still question marks or developmental prospects.
• Injuries, coaching mishaps, and defensive breakdowns have defined the season.
• Closing notes urge Dallas to focus on youth and lay a foundation for 2026 and beyond.

Key Timestamps

• Big picture team discussion: [01:42–07:57]
• Coach/QB Check-In: [07:57–11:14]
• Rookie class review starts (Booker): [13:03]
• Aziraku segment: [17:53]
• Day 3 picks (Blue/James/Bridges): [24:06–30:35]
• “Play the kids” theme for second half: [30:05–30:38]

For listeners and fans, this episode offers a warts-and-all audit of the Cowboys at midseason, invaluable for gauging prospects and expectations for the rest of 2025 and beyond.