Cowboys Secret Weapon Ranks High as NFL Rookie Sleeper originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Dallas Cowboys landed what they believe is a steal in this year’s NFL Draft, snagging Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku with the 44th overall pick – this despite many projecting him as a late first-round talent.
And now? Dallas fans will welcome Ezeiruaku – and will learn how to pronounce it, too, as “Ezz-AH-rah-koo” – with open arms, hoping he can step into the void left by DeMarcus Lawrence, who departed the Cowboys for Seattle after an impressive 11-year career and four Pro Bowls.
“Easy” is 6-3 and 247, so he doesn’t share Lawrence’s somewhat thicker build. And Lawrence proved to be a grinder when it comes to stopping the run; that’s a big goal here as well.
In the end? Expectations will certainly be high for the new kid, but his college resume suggests he’s more than capable of meeting them. At Boston College, Ezeiruaku showcased his pass-rushing dominance, leading all Power Four players with an eye-popping 16.5 sacks last season.
One reason why many observers believe he have the potential to become the next big defensive standout in Dallas? He’ll also benefit from the veteran leadership around him to accelerate his development.
With one of the league’s premier defenders, Micah Parsons, creating chaos on the opposite side, Ezeiruaku – assuming he earns snaps – should see plenty of favorable matchups on the other end, and he has the skill set to take advantage. Parsons, who has averaged nearly 13.5 sacks per season over his four-year career, demands constant attention from opposing offenses, which could free up Ezeiruaku to make an immediate impact.
If this works out, he will work in combination with the likes of nine-year veteran Dante Fowler Jr. and rehabbing Sam Williams. Fowler, signed through free agency this offseason via Washington, brings a wealth of experience and production, with 55.5 career sacks to his name. Williams is a recent second-round pick who is rehabbing his way to being a force.
Surrounded by proven talents like Parsons and Fowler, and fellow dynamic younger guys like Williams, Ezeiruaku will have no choice but to learn from the best — and ideally, to rise to the occasion.
A “secret weapon”? As we learn how to pronounce his name, maybe so.
A “rookie sleeper”? Yes, so much so that one national outlet thinks the NFL world should be buzzing about his names the way they do about the Jaguars’ Travis Hunter, the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty, and the Giants’ Abdul Carter. … all premium first-round rookies.
Ezeiruaku does have one one thing they don’t: He’s joining a team with legitimate playoff expectations. That stage could be a fine platform for him to show why he belongs among the league’s elite young talents. … as he ideally moves from being a “secret” to being a “weapon.”
Get more from Hayden Pustejovsky here.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.