FRISCO, Texas — With the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft being assigned to the offensive side of the ball by the Dallas Cowboys, selecting former Alabama guard Tyler Booker, and the second round being secured by their defense by way of former Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, the question then became what the team's front office would do when they went on the clock in the third round at 76th-overall.
There were/are still plenty of needs to address with their remaining eight picks, and the answer has arrived to presumably conclude their Day 2 in Green Bay by selecting none other than ...
Round 3: Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East Carolina
Three things to know:
- Second-team All-ACC (2023)
- Track and field athlete (meters + long jump + high jump)
- Surgery on knee injury performed by Cowboys' Dr. Dan Cooper
Scouting Report + Fit:
It appears this pick went to the wire as the Cowboys' heavily debated needs at multiple positions, but it was ultimately Revel getting the nod and it's difficult to argue against it, all things considered at cornerback. It's a position that will not see the return of All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs for several weeks to begin the 2025 season due to his recovery from a season-ending knee injury that occurred late in the season.
It's also a unit that lost arguably the best nickel corner in the NFL, Jourdan Lewis, in free agency and is also hoping young talent such as Josh Butler (torn ACL) and former fifth-round pick (2024) Caelen Carson work to return from a season-ending shoulder injury. One could rightfully argue that even with the re-signing of Israel Mukuamu, the Cowboys are in dire straits at cornerback, and this is where Revel comes in.
The size-to-speed combination is eye-popping on Revel, and his 6-foot-1 frame comes equipped with a long wingspan to boot. Additionally, he doesn't shy away from tackles, but rather the opposite, thriving when he is allowed to press and get his hands on receivers at the line of scrimmage. Revel plays sideline to sideline but has enough speed and stride to carry receivers up the field, and he's beginning to come into his own as a potential ballhawk — owner of two career interceptions that exceeded 50 yards of return thereafter at East Carolina.
His backpedal needs to stay low and not organically become upright, something to improve upon, and don't pencil him in, at least not right now, for any slot/nickel duties. Revel is a boundary corner, or at least was one completely at East Carolina, so assume he'll begin there and play opposite All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland from the outset.
A torn ACL is what likely caused his drop in this year's draft but, as noted, the surgery to repair it and a torn meniscus was performed by none other than the Cowboys, meaning they have more information than any other team regarding his prognosis. It also bears mentioning the injury and repair took place in September, giving him a great opportunity to potentially be ready by the start of training camp in late July, if not shortly thereafter.
Revel is heading to the Cowboys to compete at a spot that welcomes him, and readily.
