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Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Carolina Panthers Cut Former No. 1 Overall Pick, Jadeveon Clowney, After One Season
Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, is in search of a new job after the Carolina Panthers Clowney had signed a two-year deal with Carolina last offseason, bringing him to his hometown team as he was born and raised in South Carolina. The 32-year-old was expected to provide veteran leadership to the young Panthers and be a major contributor to a team that ranked last in the NFL with 27 sacks in the 2023 season. While Clowney's 5.5 sacks tied with A'Shawn Robinson for the most on Carolina, they tied for just 60th in the NFL. He was coming off a career-high-tying 9.5 sacks in the previous season with the Baltimore Ravens, and that's what Carolina thought it was getting. The veteran did up his production late in the season, with 4.5 sacks over his last six games, but that wasn't enough to warrant Carolina bringing him back at a Clowney's time with the Panthers seemed to be coming to an end based on the moves that Carolina made during the draft. The team picked two edge rushers on Day 2—Nic Scourton in the second round and Princely Umanmielen in the third round. Like Clowney, the two rookies were both first-team All-SEC selections in college. Scourton starred at Texas A&M after beginning his career at Purdue, while Umanmielen played last season at Ole Miss after beginning his career with Florida. Additionally, one of the Panthers' most notable free agent additions was also a pass rusher in Patrick Jones II, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded 7.0 sacks last year, topping Clowney's total despite playing nearly 200 fewer snaps. With another former Viking, D.J. Wonnum, who had 4.0 sacks in his first year with Carolina in 2024, also on the roster, there simply wasn't room for Clowney at his salary. Clowney has played for six teams during his 11-year NFL career, which began with being the top pick by the Houston Texans in 2014. He was chosen over fellow pass rushers Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, as well as All-Pro players such as Davante Adams and Mike Evans. He dealt with injuries during the start of his pro career, but managed to make the only three Pro Bowls of his career in Houston from 2016–18. Related Stories 5/8/2025 3/26/2025 He then became a journeyman, playing for five teams over the next six seasons. He spent one year in Seattle, one in Tennessee, two with the Cleveland Browns, then one in Baltimore before coming home to Carolina. One of the most distinguished players in the history of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Clowney was a two-time first-team All-American. In 2012, he was named both the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and won the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to college football's top defensive end. He finished the 2024 season with 58 career sacks across 140 games. Clowney also has 15 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, and three fumbles recovered for touchdowns. Those three scores after fumble recoveries are the most among all active players and are tied for the ninth-most in NFL history. The 32-year-old now joins a lengthy list of free-agent pass rushers. This offseason has also seen Von Miller cut by the Buffalo Bills, Matt Judon released by the Atlanta Falcons, and Preston Smith cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers after they acquired him in a November trade. The Panthers are coming off a 5-12 season, their sixth straight with double-digit defeats. They haven't made the playoffs since 2017, and Clowney's release wasn't the only notable transaction the team made on Thursday. It also placed running back Jonathon Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, on the Physically Unable to Perform list. As a rookie, Brooks tore his ACL in just his third game, and he will miss the entire 2025 season. Brooks also tore his ACL in the 2023 season while in college, so the team is giving him extra time to rehab and recover. Carolina also parted ways with pass catcher Jordan Matthews, who began his career as a wide receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles but has tried to transition to tight end over the last few years. Another converted tight end, Colin Granger, was waived as he attempted to transition from one sport to another. Granger played five seasons of college basketball with three different schools and was attempting to parlay his hoops skills onto the gridiron. However, he lasted roughly a month with Carolina before being cut. All of these roster moves come on the eve of Carolina's
CBS News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Day 3 of NFL Draft. Is Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones primed to save Shedeur Sanders?
Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft: How did it go for the Cowboys? Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft: How did it go for the Cowboys? Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft: How did it go for the Cowboys? Unless Jerry Jones does some wheeling and dealing, Saturday may start slowly for the Cowboys on Day 3 of the NFL Draft since they don't have a 4th round pick. But with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, of Dallas, surprisingly still available, what if Jones did have a 4th-round pick? It wouldn't be hard to acquire one. In the last two years, Jones traded his 4th round picks for QB Trey Lance and WR Jonathan Mingo. He could easily package next year's 4th with one of his two 5th-rounders and get near the top of the 4th round Saturday. Considering the Cowboys owner's close relationship with Shedeur's father, former Cowboy Deion Sanders, you have to think that the presence of Sanders still on the board gave the Cowboys owner some pause overnight. It's been exactly 30 years since Jones signed Deion Sanders to a 7-year, $35 million contract in 1995. By the way, that happens to be the same year the Cowboys won their last Super Bowl. So, might Jones wake up Saturday morning with visions of Lombardi Trophies dancing in his head and decide to make a move for Shedeur? "We thought and evaluated him extremely high in this draft," Jones said late Friday night. "He has got a winner in his bloodline. I know what character is there. And, boy, it is great character. It is an unbelievable competitive winning character for sports…. And, by the way, I'm a big believer in osmosis. A huge believer in osmosis." If only Jones had a 4th-round pick. Just something to watch as the 4th round kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday. Dallas doubles down on defense As for Friday night, the Cowboys stayed true to their draft board and doubled down on defense. They were elated that Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezieruaku was still available when they picked at #44 in the 2nd round. The 6-2 ½, 248-pound Ezieruaku was the 1st edge rusher to be drafted on Friday after five were taken in the 1st round on Thursday night. He was highly productive in his senior season with 80 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks, earning 1st team All-American honors. Ezieruaku was the Ted Hendricks Award winner, which is given to the top defensive end in the nation. He was a three-year starter, amassing 45.5 tackles for loss and 30 sacks in his career. There's a lot to like about an edge rusher with 34-inch arms, who posted a superb 6.94 cone drill and a 4.19 shuttle time to go along with a 35 ½ inch vertical and 22 bench press reps of 225 pounds at the combine. "I'm a dynamic pass rusher," Ezieruaku said. "I have a deep bag of pass rush tools that separates me. I rush with a plan." Much like their 1st round pick, Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker, the Cowboys also love Ezieruaku because of who he is as a person. He's very bright, a team captain, and his coaches say he is a hard worker who gives his all. In the 3rd round, the Cowboys couldn't pass up one of the more talented cornerbacks in this draft. East Carolina's Shavon Revel might have been a late 1st round pick if not for an ACL injury suffered early last season. The Cowboys feel good about Revel's recovery from the injury because Dr. Dan Cooper, the team's physician, performed the surgery. The timeline for Revel's return could allow him to be ready to play by the season opener in September. Regardless, the Cowboys love the length of the 6-2, 194-pounder, who has 32 ½ inch arms and has been described by scouts as looking like a giant condor on the field. Before his torn ACL in the 3rd game of the season last year, Revel already had two interceptions and one touchdown on 201 snaps. He started all 12 games in 2023. A late bloomer, the 24-year-old North Carolina native only played in two games during his two-year stay at Louisburg College, a junior college in North Carolina. He transferred to East Carolina and caught the eye of scouts in 24 games (15 starts) before his knee injury. The Cowboys like what they've done through two days, but there's a saying in the NFL that draft classes are made on Saturday. The team has plenty of late-round ammunition with seven of the last 108 picks, starting with #149 in the 5th round. But the biggest intrigue of this day might be which side of the bed Jones wakes up on.
CBS News
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Cowboys aim to strengthen defense with key picks on Day 2 of 2025 NFL Draft
The Dallas Cowboys focused on strengthening their defense on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, a day after selecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the 12th overall pick in the first round. Boston, MA - March 24: Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku spoke to the media during the 2025 Boston College Football Pro Day at Fish Field House. Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images On Friday, the Cowboys selected edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku from Boston College in the second round (44th overall) and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. from East Carolina in the third round (76th overall). Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku was awarded the prestigious Ted Hendricks Award for the best defensive end in college football. In 2024, he earned consensus All-American honors and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He also secured a spot on the first-team All-ACC in 2024 and the second-team All-ACC in 2023. Ezeiruaku proved to be an effective pass rusher, amassing 16.5 sacks in the 2024 season. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Shavon Revel Jr. #DB27 of East Carolina speaks at the podium during the 2025 NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 27, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Brooke Sutton / Getty Images Meanwhile, the 6-foot-1, 194-pound Revel Jr. was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2023. Revel began his college career playing in six games at Louisburg College in 2020. He transferred to East Carolina University in December 2021. At East Carolina, Revel earned second-team all-AAC recognition in 2023. He returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown against Appalachian State in 2024 but suffered a torn ACL in practice, sidelining him for the rest of the season. He declared for the 2025 NFL Draft in November 2024. A track and field athlete, Revel provides depth for the Cowboys at cornerback.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dallas Cowboys add pass rusher in Round 2 of 2025 NFL Draft
FRISCO (SILVER STAR NATION) — America's Team made their first of two picks on the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, taking one of the top pass rushers remaining. With the 44th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Donovan Ezeiruaku, a defensive end from Boston College. 2025 NFL DRAFT: Cowboys take top offensive guard in Round 1 of 2025 NFL Draft Height — 6'2″ Weight — 248 pounds Wingspan — 82.75 inches Vertical Jump — 35.5 inches 3-Cone Drill — 6.94 seconds 20-Yard Shuttle — 4.19 seconds Bench Press — 22 reps Year TotalTackles Tackles For Loss TotalSacks Forced Fumbles 2021 21 4 3 0 2022 61 14.5 8.5 3 2023 53 6.5 2 2 2024 80 20.5 16.5 3 TOTAL 215 45.5 30 8 Ezeiruaku's physical traits don't necessarily jump off the page. He's not overly tall, he's not overly heavy, and he didn't participate in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. According to NFL analysts, he has below-average speed and strength. However, Ezeiruaku's production is undeniable. He finished in the top three college football edge rushers in both sacks and tackles for loss. He was named a consensus All-American in his senior season at Boston College. He tied the school's single-season record for sacks as well. Furthermore, Ezeiruaku led all of college football with 1.38 sacks per game in 2024 and was the recipient of the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the best defensive end in the country. It's not just Ezeiruaku's production in college that led the Cowboys to select him with the 44th overall pick. He started 36 consecutive games for Boston College, and in his final two seasons, he was a team captain. Much like the Cowboys' first-round pick, Tyler Booker, Ezeiruaku is a high-character leader who loves the game of football. Ezeiruaku excels as a pass rusher, but he's not the best defender against the run. He's not a strong mauler, so he may get beaten by an NFL-level offensive lineman. His ability to pursue a defender is also lackluster, and he's been beaten by mobile quarterbacks. According to Ezeiruaku is projected to become a good NFL starting defensive end within his first two seasons. Despite the questions that may exist with him, he's got enough talent to become a starter in the NFL. The second day of the 2025 NFL Draft will continue, with the third round beginning after all teams have made their second-round selection. Barring any trades involving Dallas, the Cowboys have eight more picks remaining in the 2025 NFL Draft, including one more on Friday, April 25: Round Pick Overall Notes 3 12 76 5 11 149 5 36 174 Compensatory 6 28 204 From DET by CLE, BUF 6 35 211 Compensatory 7 1 217 From NE 7 23 239 From GB by TEN 7 31 247 From KC by CAR Silver Star Nation will be providing in-depth coverage of all of the Dallas Cowboys' picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. KFDX Sports Director Tobin McDuff and Sports Anchor M.J. Baird will be at The Star in Frisco, providing live coverage and reactions as each pick is made. Reporter Josh Hoggard will publish in-depth analysis of each new player added to the Cowboys 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Draft Quick Hits: 5 facts about Cowboys' newest edge rusher, Donovan Ezeiruaku
The Dallas Cowboys bolstered their defense on Friday, drafting Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As fans get to know the newest Cowboy, here are five key things to know about the explosive pass rusher. Sack Machine Ezeiruaku ranked second in the FBS with 16.5 sacks during the 2024 season and had 30.0 sacks overall in his career showcasing his elite pass-rushing ability. Explosive Athlete At the 2025 NFL Combine, he posted the fastest three-cone drill and short shuttle times among edge rushers, proving his ability to bend, accelerate, and close quickly on quarterbacks. Relentless Motor A consensus All-American selection in 2024, Ezeiruaku is known for his high-energy play style, often chasing down ball carriers and fighting through multiple blockers on the same play with consistent effort. Undersized, But Long and Strong Though he doesn't have prototypical size for an edge defender, Ezeiruaku's long arms and powerful punch allow him to shed blocks and stay disruptive in both the run and pass game. Proven College Performer A standout at Boston College, Ezeiruaku was a two-time All-ACC selection who steadily improved each year, becoming a key defensive leader for the Eagles and took home the Ted Hendricks Award which is given to the top defensive end in college football. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
