The Dallas Cowboys used the past couple of months to their advantage in upgrading the roster. The Cowboys always use the NFL draft as one of their primary avenues to improve the team, and did that again in 2025.
Dallas drafted eight players, with several of these guys slated to have a role immediately as rookies. One of those players is second-round pick DE Donovan Ezeiruaku. The Cowboys used the 44th overall pick on the former Boston College star, which shows they have high hopes for him, and that doesn't bode well for DE Tyrus Wheat.
Tyrus Wheat Should Be Looking Over His Shoulder
Wheat signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent the last two seasons in Dallas. In 20 games, he has supplied 17 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and 0.5 sacks. Wheat suited up in eight games for the Cowboys in 2024, playing in 32% of the defensive snaps and 20% of special team reps.
Dallas decided to re-sign him to a one-year, $1.03 million deal in March, but the addition of Ezeiruaku could mean that Wheat is on the chopping block.
Everyone knows that Micah Parsons leads the way upfront, with Osa Odighizuwa rushing through the interior.
Ezeiruaku has all the tools needed to be an explosive rusher off the edge. He's a very bendy athlete off the edge with a long reach that allows him to grab hold of quarterbacks. The New Jersey native will consistently use a dip-and-rip move to get around the corner.
In 47 games at Boston College, he finished with 215 total tackles, 45.5 TFLs, 30 sacks, and eight forced fumbles. Last season, he led the FBS in quarterback pressures (62) while being second in sacks (16.5). He was also fifth in the nation in pressure rate (16.5%).
It's obvious why the Cowboys decided to snag Ezeiruaku, as the potential of him and Parsons rushing off the edge is exciting.
The Cowboys are deep at edge. We didn't even mention Dante Fowler Jr., Payton Turner, Marshawn Kneeland, and Sam Williams.
The addition of Ezeiruaku is great for the defense, but spells bad news for Wheat, who could end up getting released by the end of the summer.