The Dallas Cowboys could really use a better pass rush during the 2026 NFL season. That’s why the team pursued a trade for multiple veterans, including Rashan Gary, and added a first-round edge rusher. But in a perfect world, the team’s second-round pick in 2025 — Donovan Ezeiruaku — will become a star.
This week, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker predicted that to happen. On Wednesday, Locker named Ezeiruaku to his 2026 NFL All-Breakout Team.
“There were several second-year edge defenders pushing for this slot, but Ezeiruaku presents the best combination of a promising first season as well as upside,” wrote Locker.
“Despite sliding to the second round, Ezeiruaku turned in a solid rookie campaign with a 66.8 PFF pass-rush grade, the second-best among qualified newcomers at the position. What’s also appealing about Ezeiruaku is how good he looked against the run, sitting in the 85thpercentile in run stop rate (8.1%) and the 73rd percentile in PFF run-defense grade (62.8).
“The Cowboys traded for Rashan Gary and drafted Malachi Lawrence in the first round, but they clearly still have a plan in place for Ezeiruaku. Based on his Year 1 metrics, tremendous bend and quick hands, he could take things up a notch in his second pro season.”
As a rookie, Ezeiruaku posted 40 combined tackles, including nine for loss. He also had 12 quarterback hits, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Ezeiruaku started nine of his 17 games he appeared in during his rookie campaign.
Could Ezeiruaku Breakout During the 2026 NFL Campaign?
When training camp begins, pretty much all eyes along the edge in Dallas will be on Gary and first-round rookie Malachi Lawrence. But Ezeiruaku could have more upside than Gary and will possess more experience than Lawrence to begin 2026.
Ezeiruaku showed great potential to be a pass-rushing star during his career at Boston College. In his final college season, he had 16.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss to lead the ACC.
Behind those statistics, he made the All-American team.
Ezeiruaku appears ready for a major role with the Cowboys this fall.
The Cowboys could use that. Dallas had just 35 sacks, which was tied for 22nd in the league. Only six teams had fewer in the entire league.
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