Second Round Defensive End’s Impact for the Cowboys in 2025
The Dallas Cowboys had plenty of glaring needs at running back, wide receiver, and interior defensive line. Dallas did not feel the need to reach for a player they were uncomfortable taking early in the draft. Instead, they stuck to their big board, allowing them to upgrade the overall roster and finish the draft with one of the highest grades of any NFL team. A big reason for this was the selection of Donovan Ezeiruaku, an edge rusher out of Boston College.
Many fans were initially unhappy with the pick due to the perceived lack of positional need at defensive end. However, Ezeiruaku can certainly carve out a significant role next season. He is slightly undersized for a prototypical NFL edge rusher at six feet two and 250 pounds, but his elite arm length helps compensate for any height concerns. While he is not the most explosive athlete, Ezeiruaku has a wide array of pass-rush moves and excellent bend, which he uses to gain leverage against bigger offensive tackles.
Donovan Ezeiruaku has a true nose for the football, as evidenced by his 2024 season, in which he recorded 20.5 tackles for loss against high-level competition. He was a solid starter for Boston College over his first three years, tallying 13.5 sacks, but he took college football by storm in his senior year, racking up 16.5 sacks in that season alone. The Boston College product is one of the most productive and experienced players in this draft class. He likely fell due to a lack of pass-rush-needy teams at the top of the second round, despite some analysts believing Ezeiruaku was a surefire first-round talent.
Ezeiruaku now has a strong opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. He joins a depth chart that includes Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams, and Marshawn Kneeland. While it may appear to be a crowded room, Dallas heavily rotates its defensive line depending on the down-to-down situations and will often move bigger defensive ends on the interior in clear passing downs. Ezeiruaku will likely split time with Dante Fowler Jr. on the opposite side of Micah Parsons to create havoc for opposing offensive lines. The Cowboys may opt to use Ezeiruaku as a designated pass rusher in his rookie year while he continues to develop as a run defender.
Dallas has a proven track record of developing edge talent. Ezeiruaku is one of the more pro-ready defensive ends in this year's class. The Cowboys have long taken pride in their tradition of strong edge play, with names like DeMarcus Ware, DeMarcus Lawrence, Charles Haley, Greg Ellis, and, more recently, Micah Parsons. Donovan Ezeiruaku is joining a historically great defensive franchise in hopes of becoming the next highly regarded pass rusher for the Cowboys.
