Cowboys 2025 draft pick predicted to make huge Year 2 leap

Major defensive changes for the Dallas Cowboys followed last summer's trade of All‑Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons. The Cowboys' original plan after drafting Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round was to have him play opposite the All-Pro. Ezeiruaku's athletic profile and pass‑rush upside was supposed to help generate pressure off the edge while Parsons worked against his usual double and triple teams.

That may not have immediately shown itself in his rookie season, but one national outlet is betting on it in Year 2. Fox Sports’ Greg Auman recently ranked Ezeiruaku fourth on his list of players most likely to take a Year‑2 leap, highlighting opportunity and scheme changes in Dallas.

“With Micah Parsons traded away, Donovan Ezeiruaku got to play a ton of snaps as a rookie, mustering only two sacks but nine tackles for loss. With Rashan Gary on board, the Dallas Cowboys have upgraded their overall pass rush from 2025, and Ezeiruaku will benefit from that — he nearly tripled his sack totals from his freshman to sophomore year at Boston College. A young, new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker will improve what was the worst scoring defense in the NFL, and Ezeiruaku could be a central part of that.”

With no Parsons on the field, Ezeiruaku’s rookie season offered flashes of that potential, but no consistency. It’s normal for young edge rushers who have to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL, to see the weekly grind take its toll.

Ezeiruaku finished the year with just two sacks, but his impact could be seen in other ways. Ezeiruaku generated 26 quarterback pressures and, according to Pro Football Focus, posted a 28% pass‑rush win rate, the highest among all rookie edge rushers.