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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Donovan Ezeiruaku Offseason Could Be Big Development For Cowboys' Defense
Donovan Ezeiruaku Offseason Could Be Big Development For Cowboys' Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Different players on the Dallas Cowboys defense have taken their turns having breakout campaigns in recent seasons. Micah Parsons lit up the league in his rookie season and Trevon Diggs nabbed a staggering 11 interceptions in 2021. Advertisement Da'Ron Bland then entered the spotlight in 2023, setting the NFL record for pick-sixes in a season. Last year it was DeMarvion Overshown who provided an explosion and burst at the linebacker position that the Cowboys have missed for some time. These impressive showings all came from players young in their careers yet foundational pieces on the Dallas defense. So the obvious follow up is then... who's next? The Cowboys added several impressive defensive pieces through the draft and free agency. But one stood out in terms of the overall excitement from the team and the fan base. Second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku had a first-round grade on some boards before falling to the Cowboys at No. 44 overall. Thus far, the enticing attributes of his profile have translated to the team's offseason programs and head coach Brian Schottenheimer has taken note. Advertisement 'He's doing really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really great. You can't watch the guy and not get excited just watching him do the things that we're doing out there on the grass, the things that we saw coming out of Boston College. And then the work ethic is elite.' There's plenty of buzz behind Ezeiruaku. Can he maintain that through the rest of summer and into training camp? Assuming the Cowboys finish Parsons' extension and he is back on the field for good, they are not completely void of pass rushing talent. They also return Dante Fowler Jr. after a brief stint with the Washington Commanders where he had 10.5 sacks. There's not a pressing need for Ezeiruaku to figure it all out in his rookie season. But it's hard to imagine a player who had 16.5 sacks at the Power 4 level a few months ago cannot find a way to contribute immediately on the professional stage. Advertisement The attention Parsons draws will create opportunities for others on the defensive front. Ezeiruaku is the ideal candidate to benefit from that extra attention. Dallas has to tie up some loose ends with regard to his rookie contract, but once that is complete, the Cowboys could be looking at their next defensive star and another breakout campaign. Related: Ex Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Scores Unexpected Prize Related: Micah Parsons Gets Major Endorsement For Contract Extension This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 OTA Update: Cowboys best option to play slot CB might be All-Pro defender
2025 OTA Update: Cowboys best option to play slot CB might be All-Pro defender Some Cowboys OTA stuff: CB DaRon Bland got some work in the slot. Bland said he prefers to play outside but is cool with everything. QB Dak Prescott (hamstring) was cleared to work in OTA practices but not contact work. DE Micah Parsons wasn't at OTAs today. — Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 20, 2025 The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best cornerback groups in the NFL, when healthy. Those last two words are extremely important when discussing the position because the defense isn't expected to have their full complement of CBs when the season begins. Without All-Pro CB Trevon Diggs and prized rookie third-round pick Shavon Revel in the lineup, the Cowboys have a pedestrian group. It's also a defense without a true slot corner since Jourdan Lewis moved on in free agency. Lewis is one of the best slot CBs in the league and was a staple in Dallas but now the team must find someone new to do the job that was held down for the last eight years. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is tasked to find the best option to replace Lewis, and when the Cowboys held their initial OTA session, one of the first options was DaRon Bland. The fourth-year veteran CB and All-Pro Pick-6 king might just be the best option. As a rookie, Bland made an impact in the second half of the season, when he primarily played the slot. PFF contributor and Cowboys game film content producer John Owning believes that Bland should be the top choice and backs it up with the coverage grade for the All-Pro. Guess that Cowboy Part 2! This is how a certain DAL player has performed among DBs since entering the NFL. — John Owning (@JohnOwning) May 15, 2025 In the "Guess that Cowboy Part 2" tweet, that 88th percentile coverage grade in the slot for Bland is the best of the current options and he looks versatile enough to handle the job. Bland is the best CB on the Cowboys, and they'll need to lean on him both before and after the injured players return. Dallas is doing their diligence in trying to find the best option, not just at slot corner, but where all the CB pieces fit. Bland being inside might be the top choice, but it leaves Kaiir Elam and some combination of Andrew Booth or Caelen Carson as the outside CBs until Diggs or Revel are ready, which isn't ideal. The team will have to weigh those risks if they are putting Bland in the slot. Bland wasn't the only defensive back who saw slot reps, veteran CB Israel Mukuamu, who has experience playing inside, and safety Juanyeh Thomas also got work in the slot at the first OTA. There's a long way to go before the Cowboys have to line up and play a game that matters; nothing is set in stone in May. These things tend to work themselves out; an unknown option could emerge in the next few months, or the health of the position could be improved by the time September rolls around. Training camp and preseason games will provide a clearer view of who the best CBs are, and where they fit on the roster. For now, Bland looks like the best choice to replace the stellar play Lewis provided in the slot. The Cowboys could do a lot worse than having an All-Pro man the position. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Philadelphia Eagles hosting rival Dallas Cowboys to open 2025 NFL season
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball against Dallas Cowboys defensive back DaRon Bland (26) in the second half during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on December 29, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia Eagles hosting rival Dallas Cowboys to open 2025 NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia The Super Bowl champs are kicking off the 2025 season against a division rival. On Monday, NBC Sports' Mike Tirico announced on TODAY that the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Sept. 4, to begin the NFL season. Advertisement Most of the time, the Super Bowl champs kick off the following season on a Thursday night before the first football Sunday, so the Eagles hosting the opener is no surprise. The 8:20 p.m. game will be broadcast on NBC10 as the start of NBC's Sunday Night Football slate. This storied rivalry has gone the Cowboys' way over the years as they lead the Birds 74-58 overall. The Eagles and Cowboys play at least twice a season as division rivals. However, as pointed out by NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro: 'This is the first time the Eagles and Cowboys have faced off in Week 1 since the 2000 season in North Texas. You probably remember that game. Using pickle juice for fuel, Andy Reid's Eagles used a surprise onside kick to help them get an early lead in what ended up being a 41-14 win to jumpstart a new era of Eagles football.' This game will give the Cowboys the chance to see a banner raised. The Eagles have won two Super Bowls in the past decade, while the Cowboys have gone nearly 30 years without a Lombardi Trophy win.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Potential trades, possible suspension and more 49ers news for Cardinals fans to know
Potential trades, possible suspension and more 49ers news for Cardinals fans to know A few stories from last week that Cardinals fans should know about the NFC West 49ers We have made it through another week of the NFL offseason and it is time to take a look at the rest of the NFC West to see what is going on with the Arizona Cardinals' division rivals. What is new with the San Francisco 49ers? Below are a few stories from the last week that Cardinals fans should know about the Niners. Potential trade targets Free agency is mostly done. The NFL draft is over. Some players the 49ers could trade for to improve their roster include CB Jamel Dean, CB DaRon Bland and OL Liam Eichenberg. Niners almost ran out of time on pick in 2024 Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed how they almost had the clock run out on them in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. Niners tried trading up in 2025 draft The Niners got EDGE Mykel Williams with the 11th pick in the draft. They considered trading up to the No. 8 pick to land him, and also were prepared to trade up to get DT Mason Graham, who landed with the Cleveland Browns with the fifth overall pick, had he fallen more. Suspension could be coming The Niners added former Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson in free agency. He could be looking at a three-game suspension to start the season. Former top pick waived Defensive end Drake Jackson was the 49ers' top pick in 2022, taken in the second round. After years of dealing with injuries, he was recently waived with a failed physical designation. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Contract Year Cowboys: List of pending free agents boasts 9 Pro Bowl appearances
Contract Year Cowboys: List of pending free agents boasts 9 Pro Bowl appearances The Cowboys are always dealing with a laundry list of influential free agents and 2026 will be no different. The Dallas Cowboys now have a storied tradition when it comes to how they build their roster. Focusing on their draft hauls, they tend not to invest in outsiders for the long haul. The club looks at big-value contracts as rewards for performance, while other teams take a more speculative approach to things, betting on the come. And because the club likes to wait until the last minute instead of getting ahead of things with pending free agents, each year it seems that they have a huge free agency class. 2026 appears to be no different. While there are still all of the summer months and the entire regular season still to play out, the list of pending free agents is once again ripe with talent. Here's a look at all of the players who are on expiring deals at the moment. Defense Edge Micah Parsons (3x All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowler) CB DaRon Bland (1x All-Pro, 1x Pro Bowler) LB Kenneth Murray Safety Donovan Wilson Safety Juanyeh Thomas (RFA) Edge Sam Williams Edge Dante Fowler, Jr. LB Damone Clark CB Kaiir Elam Edge Payton Turner DB Israel Mukuamu LB Jack Sanborn CB CJ Goodwin Edge Tyrus Wheat (RFA) LB Darius Harris CB Kemon Hall CB Andrew Booth LB Buddy Johnson (RFA) CB Josh Butler (ERFA) Offense
