Cowboys drafting Donovan Ezeiruaku pushes former top draft pick right into roster bubble: Winners and losers of second-round pick
The best part about the Dallas Cowboys drafting best player available is such can approach can turn already solid position into serious strengths. That appears to be what's happening with defensive end after the front office picked EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston College in the second round. However, not everyone can emerge a winner from […]
The best part about the Dallas Cowboys drafting best player available is such can approach can turn already solid position into serious strengths. That appears to be what's happening with defensive end after the front office picked EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku out of Boston College in the second round.
However, not everyone can emerge a winner from the news and I believe there's at least a couple of players whose stock took a significant hit as a result of the choice.
Let's dive into the winners and losers of Ezeiruaku becoming a Cowboy, starting with someone who was once in his shoes as second-round draft pick.
Loser: DE Sam Williams
Williams is being pushed right into the roster bubble ahead of the offseason. Not only is he coming off of a lost season due to a knee injury but he's also someone who has faced off-field trouble during his time in Dallas. With Dante Fowler Jr. reuniting with the Cowboys and Marshawn Kneeland entering his second year in the NFL, the defensive room is getting crowded.
Specially considering he hasn't played since 2023 and his best season came as a rookie in limited playing time, Williams is losing ground at his position and training camp is still months away. Not a great situation.
Winners: DC Matt Eberflus, DL coach Aaron Whitecotton
Whitecotton was the first to fist bump Stephen Jones after the Cowboys made the pick and for good reason. A renowned defensive line coach, Whitecotton is getting a rookie who is already a well-polished pass rusher. Per A to Z Sports' draft analyst AJ Schulte, Ezeiruaku has "the deepest bag of pass rush moves in this class and a relentless motor."
Naturally, Eberflus is also a big winner. His preferred style of defense is rushing with four and getting a pass rushing specialist like Donovan is a best case scenario for him.
Winner: DE Micah Parsons
It's become clear Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence weren't in the best of terms. But losing him and Chauncey Golston wasn't ideal for the star defender. Now, Ezeiruaku is looking like a great piece to round out the room. You have to imagine Parsons is happy about it.
Loser: DE Payton Turner
Similarly to Williams, I can't imagine this helps Turner, who signed with the Cowboys in March. A former first-rounder, Turner is a classic low-risk, high-reward gamble from the Dallas front office. The team hopes to capitalize on the potential Turner hasn't been able to due to injuries and other factors. But with Ezeiruaku's addition, it will be tougher to get on the field.
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