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Cowboys rookie darkhorse is emerging with first-team reps at OTAs

One of the Dallas Cowboys' seventh-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft has seen action with the starting group during the team's recent OTAs.
Tyler Reed|
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia tangles with Fresno State Bulldogs offensive lineman Toreon Penright during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl.
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia tangles with Fresno State Bulldogs offensive lineman Toreon Penright during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl. | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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The Dallas Cowboys made three selections in the seventh and final round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The first of those three would be UCLA defensive tackle Jay Toia.

You can see why the Cowboys' front office is a big fan of Toia. The former Bruins star is an instant run blocker with his six-foot-three, 325lb frame.

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On Thursday, the Cowboys conducted voluntary OTAs, and the seventh-round selection had some work with the team's starters.

It should be no surprise to anyone that the Cowboys are giving early run to Toia during OTAs. Just two years ago, the Cowboys selected defensive tackle Mazi Smith with their first-round pick.

While late last season, the former Michigan star started to show signs of hope. It has been a slow build in getting Smith to be one of the top interior defensive linemen in the league.

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If Smith's trajectory continues to go up, it can't hurt to have Toia pushing the former first-round pick for playing time.

According to Pro Football Focus, Toia had his best collegiate season in 2024. The site rated the former Bruins star with a 69 overall grade.

Toia probably has a long way to go when it comes to actually seeing the field in the regular season. However, this has to be a good early sign that the coaching staff trusts him to see action with the starters in OTAs.

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl. | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

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Tyler Reed
TYLER REED

Tyler is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where he majored in communications. Aside from his roles with the Cowboys and Chargers on SI, Tyler also covers sports and pop culture for The Big Lead.

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