After a promising rookie season, Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku has started to be floated as a popular Year 2 breakout candidate. The two sacks don't jump off the page, but having 36 pressures and 12 QB hits are both numbers that should improve in a better situation on defense.
The Cowboys' pass-rush was largely non-existent last season, finishing 24th in sacks, as their lack of pressure after the Micah Parsons trade did more harm to the secondary. But the defensive line (and defense as a whole) has a lot more talent, and Ezeiruaku has new running mates in Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence, and Rashan Gary.
Now that he's healthy, it should be breakout season, but another thing has to happen in order to accomplish that: he can't get in his own way. So far in training camp, the second-year man has gotten into not one, but two fights where he threw a punch and was ultimately removed from practice early.
Nick Harris of the Star-Telegram shared a video of Ezeiruaku taking on essentially the entire New Orleans Saints roster.
The first instance came when he threw a punch at Terrence Steele earlier in the summer, but the second came during Tuesday's joint practice with the New Orleans Saints.
The Cowboys need to make sure Donovan Ezeiruaku keeps his emotions in check
The Cowboys have a no-fighting rule, but things always get a little chippy. The more alarming aspect of this is that NFL rules mandate players get sent off for throwing a punch. The message should have been clear after last time, especially since this defense is better with him on the field.
Ezeiruaku doesn't turn 23 until September, so while he's obviously plenty talented, he needs to be able to keep his composure. He was also arrested this offseason for reckless driving, so it hasn't exactly been a banner offseason for the second-year pro.
If Dallas wants to get the most out of his potential, they need him to start keeping his emotions in check, like Brian Schottenheimer mentioned (h/t Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com).
"We'll have a long conversation," Schottenheimer said. "Donovan is a very bright young man. He understands that he can't hurt the football team. Unfortunately for him, there's two officiating crews that know he lost his composure.
But it's part of a growth mindset for him, we've got to get him better, and we've got the right type of leaders on this football team, myself included, Christian Parker, Quinnen Williams, guys like that, that will help him do that."
The good news is that he is surrounded by individuals who will ensure the growth mindset continues. Quinnen Williams. Christian Parker. Even Von Miller. These are guys who have been in and around the league for a very long time, so they should have a lot of wisdom to offer the Boston College product.
The last thing this team needs is for Ezeiruaku to stifle his own development. Ezeiruaku has a bright future ahead of him and may become a leader for this defense down the road, and the first step to that Year 2 leap is reigning it in a bit.
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