DAL Donovan Ezeiruaku
NFL defensive end. Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE). Team: Dallas Cowboys.
Quick Facts
- Position: Edge Rusher (EDGE)
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Draft: 2025 draft pick
- Profile: Solid pass rusher with room to grow, identified as Cowboys' top breakout candidate
2026 Outlook
Second-year edge rusher poised for big breakout in 2026 after solid rookie campaign. Finished 2025 with 40 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks with a 73.1 PFF grade (38th out of 81 qualified EDGE players), including 43 pressures. Now enters his second year with much-improved supporting cast: Cowboys traded for pass rusher Rashan Gary, drafted Malachi Lawrence in Round 1, and added defensive talents Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Jonathan Bullard, and Otito Ogbonnia. Secondary upgrades (safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke, CB Cobie Durant, safety Caleb Downs, CB Devin Moore) should give pass rushers more time to get after the quarterback. Pro Football Sports Network identified Ezeiruaku as the Cowboys' top breakout candidate for 2026. (per Donovan Ezeiruaku Identified as Cowboys' Top Breakout Candidate in 2026)
With the addition of interior linemen Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, Ezeiruaku expects to see more favorable matchups where opponents must respect the interior threat. Post-hip surgery, he reports feeling "more explosive" heading into 2026, and new DC Christian Parker (from Philadelphia Eagles) will bring fresh defensive schemes. ESPN noted his 28% pass rush win rate led all rookie edge rushers in 2025. (per Lacking a star, Cowboys lean on depth for their pass rush)
Role / Depth Chart
Second-year starting edge rusher for Dallas Cowboys defense.
Injury Status
Recovering from offseason hip surgery. Had excused absence from second week of OTAs (early June 2026), but expected to be ready by training camp (late July). (per Dallas Cowboys Injury Updates Following Second Week of OTAs)
Recent News
- 2026-04-07 — NFC Coaching Changes: How the 5 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for... (NFC Coaching Changes: How the 5 New Defensive Coordinators Will Impact IDP Leagues for...)
- 2026-05-15 — Bold Predictions for Every Outcome of Colts' Crucial 2026 Campaign (Bold Predictions for Every Outcome of Colts' Crucial 2026 Campaign)
- 2026-03-26 — 2026 NFL draft team needs: Depth chart holes, prospect fits (2026 NFL draft team needs: Depth chart holes, prospect fits)
- 2026-04-16 — 2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs (2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs)
- 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL Draft: Seven-round full mock draft picks for every team (2026 NFL Draft: Seven-round full mock draft picks for every team)
- 2026-04-29 — Dallas Cowboys roster needs following the 2026 NFL Draft (Dallas Cowboys roster needs following the 2026 NFL Draft)
- 2026-04-24 — 2026 NFL live draft updates: Pros, cons for all Round 1 picks (2026 NFL live draft updates: Pros, cons for all Round 1 picks)
- 2026-04-24 — Cowboys remaining needs entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL draft expands to O (Cowboys remaining needs entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL draft expands to O)
- 2026-04-25 — 2026 NFL Draft grades, picks, analysis: Raiders get 'A+' for finally stopping Jermod... (2026 NFL Draft grades, picks, analysis: Raiders get 'A+' for finally stopping Jermod...)
- 2026-06-03 — Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: RB Israel Abanikanda (Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: RB Israel Abanikanda)