When the Dallas Cowboys selected Jay Toia in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft, there was a clear path to playing time for the UCLA defensive tackle. The Cowboys were thin in the middle of their defense and the 6-foot-2, 342-pound lineman was anything but that.
Things changed in a hurry in the Cowboys' DT room, though. Unable to agree on an extension, the Cowboys shipped star edge rusher Micah Parsons off to Green Bay just before the season began and brought back in Kenny Clark , the Packers ' standout DT.
With Solomon Thomas and Perrion Winfrey outplaying Toia already, the rookie found himself sliding down the depth chart before the season even began. Still, injuries cracked the door and Toia was able to post 39 snaps in the first two weeks of the season.
Eventually, Dallas would double-down on the DT position and trade for All-Pro Quinnen Williams . Williams quickly established himself as the top defender in Dallas, further spreading the chasm between Toia and a steady spot in the rotation.
Toia would contribute in five games throughout his rookie year, posting a combined 115 snaps on defense and special teams. While it wasn't what many were hoping for when Toia first came aboard, it was a noteworthy contribution for a seventh rounder playing on one of the deepest DT units in the NFL.
As for Toia's quality of play, it was lacking in just about every way. Based on PFF grades, Toia finished dead last in his class, landing 39 of 39 on the rookie grades list. It's a harsh verdict that's fits what many saw on tape. But size can't be taught, and Toia has that by the truckload. A full offseason of work should do the young nose tackle some good.
2025 final rookie grade: D-
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Rookie year grades: Jay Toia hangs on and earns future with Cowboys
