The Dallas Cowboys’ defense took significant steps back last season, while dealing with myriad injuries to some of the top contributors along the front seven. So, it’s no wonder that the front seven was a position of focus for Jerry Jones and Co. during the 2025 NFL Draft.
By the end of the draft, the Cowboys added four front-seven defenders, including one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Choice Labeled One of Biggest Steals
After adding offensive line help in the first round, the Cowboys landed what has the potential to be a significant upgrade opposite All-Pro Micah Parsons off the edge.
Over at Pro Football Focus, the staff put together a list of the biggest steals of the NFL Draft, by round, including the Cowboys’ selection of former Boston College standout edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku.
“Although Ezeiruaku may lack the size and power of some other edge defenders in the class,” the PFF Staff writes. “His length and capability as a quick, smooth-moving pass rusher earned him a top-20 rank on PFF’s big board as EDGE3. His 196 snaps versus true pass sets last season are the most in the class, and he earned a 90.7 PFF pass-rush grade with a 25.8% pass-rush win rate on those plays.
“The positives continue for Ezeiruaku as a run defender, where he profiles as a savvy addition to boost a struggling Cowboys front. Dallas surrendered the most expected points added per rush in 2024. Ezeiruaku’s 83.6 PFF run-defense grade placed him in the 91st percentile at the position this past season.”
Last season, Ezeiruaku’s explosiveness powered him to a career-high 16.5 sacks with 21 tackles for loss, showing how disruptive he has the potential to be.
Ezeiruaku has the potential to start immediately, and might be an instant upgrade for a defense that is in dire need of it.
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