The common saying in the NFL is that it takes five years to judge a draft class. And while that can be true in some cases, more often than not, you’ll know in three. The perfect example is the 2023 draft class for the Cowboys as they’ve already traded Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker is only being used in a reserve role.
However, it usually doesn’t take very long to know when you’ve hit on a class. Micah Parsons was an All-Pro player as a rookie. CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs (2020) both produced early during their rookie season. And so far, the 2025 draft looks to be another massive hit by the front office.
Cowboys hit a home run with edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku
Since Tyler Booker returned to the field from his high-ankle sprain, he’s been the best offensive lineman for the Cowboys. And in a recent article by Pro Football Focus, he was ranked as the third-best rookie offensive linemen in the league. But the more noticeable player on the list was the second-round pick for the Cowboys, Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Ezeiruaku has recorded just two sacks on the season, but he’s been one of the most consistent defenders for the Cowboys. And in that article from PFF, the site noted that Ezeiruaku has the second-highest grade out of any rookie in the league this season. Here is a snippet of what Pro Football Focus had to say about the second-round pick:
"The Boston College product ranks second among rookie edge defenders in PFF run-defense grade (69.9) and PFF pass-rush grade (70.9). His 13.7% pass-rush win rate leads the class, and he places in the top 10 at the position in quarterback hits (11). Ezeiruaku also paced all edge rushers in PFF run-defense grade in November (88.8). He has 13 stops on the season at a rate of 8.3% (both first among rookies). He is also generating a 20.4% positive play rate and a 9.6% negative play rate as a run defender."
Sacks can be a fluky stat and tend to be overrated, but with a pass-rush win rate like his and his ability to bend the corner, big sack games are coming. In the meantime, he’s creating pressure and he’s a plus run defender, and the Cowboys haven’t had a player like that on their roster since DeMarcus Lawrence.
With Booker and Ezeiruaku already playing big roles in Dallas, it’s hard not to be excited about this draft class. And with Shavon Revel and Shemar James playing more snaps on defense, this has a chance to be a group that can get Dallas back into contention. After back-to-back weaker draft classes, it sure seems like the Cowboys hit a home run with the 2025 class.