While most observers feel the Dallas Cowboys’ primary draft needs are at running back, wide receiver, cornerback, and defensive tackle, the team also seems to be focusing on defensive end in their preparations. New head coach Brian Shottenheimer spoke to the importance of edge rushers when recently discussing team building. But the Cowboys lost Demarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston in free agency, and both Sam Williams and Dante Fowler Jr. are free agents at the end of next season. Marshawn Kneeland is still an unknown going into his second year, and while the Cowboys are working on a deal with Micah Parsons, the 2025 draft could be where they find his long-term pass-rush partner for the future.
Parsons has made it clear he wants help on the defensive line. He wants help to keep him from getting blocked by three players; someone opposing teams have to chip block, freeing him to rush one-on-one occasionally. That is unlikely to happen if Dallas waits until Day 3 to take a developmental pass rusher, so looking at the top-end edge rushers will likely be a plan for Dallas.
5. DE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Height: 6-foot-2, Weight: 248, RAS: 8.12
Donovan Ezeiruaku is a pass-rush specialist who was ACC defensive player of the year, a consensus All-American, and the Ted Hendricks defensive end of the year in 2024. Previous winners of that award include Laiatu Latu, Aidan Hutchinson, Chase Young, Bradley Chubb, and Jonathan Allen. Last season, Ezeiruaku accumulated 80 tackles, 21 for a loss, 16.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He might not be a complete defensive end, but he could be the best edge rusher early on and will immediately line up in Week 1 and produce on passing downs for whoever drafts him.
4. DE Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Height: 6-foot-4, Weight: 244, RAS: 8.98
Princely Umanmielen’s movement skills aren’t natural for a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher. He has long arms, a quick first step, and a series of pass rush moves that give him an excellent chance to be an immediate impactful pass rusher. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded Umanmielen over 90 as a pass rusher with a 91.1 overall grade in 2024. He doesn’t play as powerfully as his frame and length suggest he should, but with the right coaching, Umanmielen could develop into a complete end who can set the edge and get to the quarterback.
3. DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Height: 6-foot-3, Weight: 245 RAS: 9.4
James Pearce, Jr. is a first-round edge prospect with every tool asked for in a promising playmaking pass rusher. He had PFF grades of 87.1 overall, 89.4 pass rush, and 84.1 run defense. His pass rush win rate was 23%, and his run stop rate was over 10%. He isn’t a bendy player, and he plays lighter than he should at his size, but he has a dangerous first step that is worthy of a top pick in the draft. Pearce, Jr. must be more consistent and hold up against the run more effectively to become a great NFL defensive end.
2. DE Mike Green, Marshall
Height: 6-foot-3, Weight: 251, RAS: N/A
Mike Green has been a whirlwind, going from a Day 2 edge to potentially a top-10 pick, then had off-the-field concerns that dropped his stock again. Green played at Marshall, so his competition was in question, but he was dominant against those opponents. In 2024, PFF graded him over 90 as a pass rusher, in true pass rush grade, in run defense, and overall. He broke out with 17 sacks, 23 tackles for a loss, and three forced fumbles, earning him the Sun Belt player of the year. He doesn’t have the length or mass to be an excellent edge setter against the run in the NFL, but his pass rush repertoire and instincts should have Green as one of the most feared rushers during his career.
1. DE Abdul Carter, Penn State
Height: 6-foot-3, Weight: 250, RAS: N/A
Abdul Carter shot up every draft board after an unbelievable final season at Penn State, which could land him as the top non-QB selected this year. In his first two seasons in college, Carter accumulated 11 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss, but in 2024 he had 12 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles. He ended up as a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten defensive player of the year. Comparisons to Micah Parsons aren’t fair for Carter. Just because both players wore number 11 for Penn State doesn’t make them the same at the NFL level. He isn’t the freak athlete Parsons is, and he won’t be that level of edge rusher, but he will be impactful immediately as a top-three draft selection.
