With the 2025 NFL season just under a week away, top draft picks from the 2025 NFL Draft will be under the spotlight. Due to a big trade and a questionable roster cut, two players selected on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft by the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots suddenly find themselves as key players on their rosters.
The Cowboys blockbuster deal that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers suddenly has the second-round selection of Boston College product Donovan Ezeiruaku looms larger. The defensive end who has a knack for getting to the quarterback has gone from the excitement of learning from Parsons to the player looked at to replace him.
Welcome to the NFL young man. Now all eyes and some of the weight of that trade will be placed upon a player who has the talent to be special as a pass rusher. It’s just a shame that didn’t come along while playing with an All-Pro sack master like Parsons.
"Of course it changes a lot," Ezeiruaku said of the Parsons trade. "But at the same time, this whole entire camp he wasn't practicing. So like I said it's still a surprise, but we've been practicing so we're just looking forward to going into Week 1."
A player ready for his opportunity
While all the pressure won’t be placed on Ezeiruaku to fill Parsons’ shoes, he is hungry for the opportunity.
Known for his explosiveness off the edge, the Cowboys rookie can change the complexion of the trade by making an impact immediately. With players like Dante Fowler Jr., Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland ready to step up, that hunger inside of Ezeiruaku is something that can lift the defense.
"I've always been hungry," Ezeiruaku said. "Especially the guys in the room, we've always been hungry to go get it and go hit the quarterback or sack the quarterback. At the same time, we understand it's a big piece of the pie that's missing or that's not here anymore, and we've got to fill that. And I think we're going to do exactly that."
A new safety net in New England
Down in Foxboro, new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has fans scratching their heads after the surprise cut of safety Jabril Peppers. Why would a team lacking in talent cut one of their best defensive players?
The rumor swirling around the move was that Peppers didn’t fit Vrabel’s defensive scheme, but it seems to be more around the move as the Patriots head coach blew smoke on those rumors. Whatever it is, the play and emergence of fourth-round pick Craig Woodson helped make the move easier for Vrabel.
After successfully replacing Kyle Duggar throughout training camp and the preseason, Woodson has earned his way towards the top of the depth chart with his strong coverage play. Coming out of the University of California, the style of play in New England is something Woodson says he is prepared for.
“At Cal, we kind of used to do everything,” Woodson explained. “So, for me, whether that’s free or in the box, whatever it is, I’m just ready for the challenge. Whatever position that the coaches want to put me in, I have to be ready.”
While both Ezeiruaku and Woodson aren’t the rookies with all the buzz entering the season, they are draft picks who have a chance to quickly accomplish themselves as valuable players on their respective rosters. If they excel, then the trade of Parsons and the surprise release of Peppers will seem like smart chess moves.