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The Dallas Cowboys thought they struck gold in the 2025 NFL Draft when Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku fell to them at pick 44. Many draft experts had him pegged as a first-round talent, and the Cowboys desperately needed to replace DeMarcus Lawrence after his departure. But now, with training camp just days away, that immediate impact they were counting on might be delayed.
Here’s the problem – Ezeiruaku hasn’t signed his rookie contract yet. He’s not alone either. Almost every second-round pick across the league is in the same boat. Why? It all traces back to the Houston Texans, who gave second-rounder Jayden Higgins a fully guaranteed deal. Now other rookies in that draft position are holding out for the same treatment.
For Dallas, this creates a potential crisis.
Why Ezeiruaku’s Absence Would Hurt the Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys do have other edge rushers to pair with superstar Micah Parsons. But let’s be real – Ezeiruaku was drafted specifically to be that difference-maker opposite Parsons that this defense desperately needs. The early reviews from minicamp were glowing, but that doesn’t replace what happens when the pads come on.
Rookies – even the most talented ones – need training camp to adjust to the NFL’s speed and physicality. They’re still learning the playbook, getting comfortable with teammates, and adapting to scheme concepts. This is especially crucial for Ezeiruaku with new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus installing his system.
Miss part of camp, and you’re immediately playing catch-up. The learning curve gets steeper, and suddenly Week 1 arrives with a rookie who isn’t fully prepared to step into that No. 2 edge rusher role the team envisioned when they drafted him.
Dallas did bring back veteran Dante Fowler Jr. this offseason. They’ve also got former second-rounders Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland on the roster, plus free agent addition Payton Turner. But the whole reason they drafted Ezeiruaku was because they needed someone more reliable and productive than those options.
Most NFL teams are playing this waiting game with their second-rounders – seeing who’ll blink first in these contract standoffs. But the Cowboys might want to consider “blinking” sooner rather than later. Every missed practice for Ezeiruaku could have consequences that ripple throughout the entire 2025 season.
And trust me – those aren’t the kind of ripples Cowboys fans want to see.
