It’s hard to be excited about the state of the Dallas Cowboys' defense after six games. They are allowing the most yards per game in the NFL (411.6) and the second-most points (30.7 PPG). And unless DeMarvion Overshown is the second coming of Derrick Brooks, there isn’t much to be hopeful about going into the final 11 games of the season.
However, there is one rookie who is starting to put it together and that’s none other than Donovan Ezeiruaku. And while he has yet to record a sack, it’s not hard to see the improvements in his game on a weekly basis. And what we saw from him in Week 6 was very encouraging.
Cowboys DE Donovan Ezeiruaku continues to show big signs of improvement
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they named their top rookie defenders from Week 6. And for the first time all season, that included a defensive player for the Cowboys. Here is what they had to say about Ezeiruaku’s performance against the Panthers:
"Despite the upset loss against the Panthers, Donovan Ezeiruaku put on a career performance in just his sixth NFL game. Ezieruaku was dominant as a pass rusher. Despite not recording any sacks, he won 20% of his pass-rushing snaps, which included two quarterback hits for a 75.1 PFF pass-rushing grade."
Ezieruaku has recorded eight pressures over the last two games, and he’s come very close to recording a sack. But what’s most encouraging is that he’s improved as a run defender. He played 20 run downs on Sunday and performed at an average level, which can’t be said about the rest of the defensive ends on the roster.
The sacks will come, especially after recording six QB hits in the last two games. But the fact that he already looks like the best pass rusher (outside of James Houston) on the roster. And if the Cowboys are going to fix this defense anytime soon, they are going to need him to continue to develop and take big steps forward.
Dallas is relying on Ezieruaku to be part of the pass-rush solution for the years to come. Fortunately, we have already seen enough flashes to be encouraged about his long-term potential. So far, so good for the talented rookie from Boston College.