Cowboys Draft 'Dawg' Ready to Start Rookie Minicamp

The Dallas Cowboys pulled off arguably one of the savviest NFL Draft classes in the league. Most of their praise was earned from a Day 2 performance that snagged two "steals" in Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.

Ezeiruaku and Revel were each ranked much higher on pre-draft ranking boards than their eventual selection. Especially Ezeiruaku, who was picked No. 44 by Dallas, but was ranked as high as No. 17 by some sites.

Revel is still recovering from season-ending knee surgery from last season, but this weekend will be the first time Cowboys coaches and fans get a glimpse of the explosive and powerful Ezeiruaku at rookie minicamp.

Ezeiruaku and the rest of Dallas' rookie class is chomping at the bit to get started.

"You can tell we've got a little edge to us, that competitive edge," Ezeiruaku said to DallasCowboys.com. "It's been pretty good, we seem pretty cool, feeling each other out, but it's been good."

While not every rookie no the squad this summer will make the 53-man final roster cut, Ezeiruaku is as close a bet as you'll find.

He put up dominant numbers last season, and many believe he can find himself in the Cowboys' starting lineup this fall. In 2024, Ezeiruaku totaled 80 tackles (21 tackles for loss!), and a near-nation-leading 16.5 sacks.

"They're getting somebody who is athletic off the edge but is a dawg," Ezeiruaku said when asked about the type of player he is.

"He's going to stick his nose in there in the run game, and he's going to get after the quarterback in the passing game. Hard working dude, a great person off the field, that's what the Dallas Cowboys are getting out of me…"

His force on the edge has run and pass rush ability, which could be a lethal pairing with Micah Parsons on the defensive line. After the Draft, Parsons took notice by reaching out to his newest teammate.

Ezeiruaku is just as excited: ""It's going to be fun, he reached out after the draft, he said 'Let's get to work,' and I said 'Let's do it.' I'm excited, having somebody of that caliber on the other side of the field, it'll be very special to see."

For Ezeiruaku's family, it may be a tough watch at first, as he grew up New Jersey and was raised in Philadelphia Eagles household. His selection by Philly's arch rival will force a quick change of fandom.

"All that is gone," he said.

"I've got an uncle who was a Philly fanatic, and he's going through it right now because he's got to throw away all his Philly gear in his mancave downstairs. It's serious."

The serious business starts this weekend as Ezeiruaku looks to earn his place with the Cowboys at rookie minicamp starting Friday inside The Star.