The Dallas Cowboys' first three days of practices have been nothing short of interesting. From punches being thrown to CeeDee Lamb torching his defensive teammates, the news hasn't stopped.
The Cowboys are looking for a jump in the first year under Brian Schottenheimer, and one rookie is already looking like an instant contributor after three practices. Defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku has been one of the top players on the field.
According to ESPN's Todd Archer, he wrote, "For the last two days, Ezeirauku has been one of the best players on the field. He read a screen pass to running back Jaydon Blue, then perfectly timed the snap to get at least a pressure on Dak Prescott, if not a sack, on a play that ended with a Malik Hooker interception."
With the emergence of Ezeiruaku quickly standing out in practice, it could make veteran defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. dispensable.
Cowboys DE Dante Fowler Jr. May Be on Chopping Block
Fowler Jr. returned to Dallas on a one-year, $6 million contract after following Dan Quinn to the Commanders for the 2024 season. In that campaign, he posted 39 total tackles, 12 QB hits, and 10.5 sacks. After that successful season, he wanted to come back to the Cowboys, where he spent the 2022 & 2023 seasons.
Over those 34 games in Dallas, Fowler Jr. had 40 total stops and 10 sacks as a rotational edge rusher. While it's always great to have some vets in the fold, Ezeiruaku's summer breakout may put the 30-year-old on the chopping block.
Schottenheimer couldn't help but praise the rookie. He said, "The timing of his footwork for a rookie, the ability to take two steps and up and under is dynamic," coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "His pass rush adjustments and how he can react off of how a guy plays him, whether using his inside hand or an outside hand punch, is impressive."
Schottenheimer added, "We're seeing what we loved about him on film. The speed and the effortlessness that it takes to rush the passer is really good. But he also, again, to his credit, he's more than just the one trick pony that's a pass rusher, man. He can set the edge with that length that he has."
In his collegiate career at Boston College, he finished with 113 solo tackles, 47 TFLs, and 30 sacks, while being second in the nation last season with 16.5 sacks.
Marshawn Kneeland is another young pass rusher who's been productive through the first couple of days in camp. He's been able to create pressure and even dropped into the flat to pick off Dak Prescott. Kneeland had to undergo meniscus surgery last season, which forced him to miss six games. He's looking to have a bounce-back season and showed up ready to ball thus far in camp.
Both Kneeland and Ezeiruaku are second-round picks, while being 24 years old or younger. The Cowboys could easily roll with them alongside Micah Parsons, Payton Turner, and Sam Williams.
That would put Fowler Jr. on the trade block and allow the Cowboys to recoup some kind of asset in return.