Steve Palazzolo projected Donovan Ezeiruaku to crack the Week 1 lineup opposite Micah Parsons. He called the pick at 44 overall “fantastic value,” pointing out the Cowboys lost DeMarcus Lawrence and currently have only Marshawn Neelan, last year’s second-rounder, standing in Ezeiruaku’s way. Palazzolo said the rookie already grades out as a "pretty good run defender" and is "solid across the board" compared to a 2025 edge class full of red-flag "yeah-buts." With Dallas counting on two-edge rotations in Dan Quinn’s scheme, Palazzolo expects 600-plus snaps, giving Ezeiruaku immediate IDP relevance and boosting the Cowboys’ team sack outlook for season-long win-total bettors.

Sam Monson said Donovan Ezeiruaku has a real shot to emerge as the premier pass-rusher from the 2025 class. Monson highlighted Ezeiruaku's clean, technically sound pass-rush repertoire, noting he "won often enough as a pass rusher" without needing gimmicks. Despite being a shade undersized, Monson believes most of Ezeiruaku’s run-defense issues stem from film study and play-recognition, not physical shortcomings, which makes them correctable. Because the tape shows he can convert speed to power while maintaining gap integrity, Monson thinks Ezeiruaku profiles as both a high-ceiling sack artist and a plus run defender once coaching irons out the mental side. Dynasty IDP gamers looking for an impact rookie edge should move him up their boards.

Ryan Wilson vaulted Boston College pass rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku up 15 spots, saying he now has a “real possibility” of being drafted in Round 1 and could even leapfrog the sliding Shamar Stewart. Ezeiruaku’s 16.5-sack season tied a school record, and Wilson noted noticeable second-half improvement versus the run that alleviated early-season concerns. At just under 250 pounds he is technically undersized, but Wilson believes his play strength and nonstop motor compensate. Comparatively, Stewart’s elite 6-4/285 frame and 4.59 speed have not translated into production and he skipped positional drills, frustrating teams. Wilson’s board shift suggests bettors should consider Ezeiruaku “to be drafted in first round” props while fading Stewart’s Round 1 odds.