The Kansas City Chiefs built one of the NFL’s premier defensive units but still struggle to generate pressure outside of contributions from Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. General manager Brett Veach should consider selecting a pass rusher with a top 100 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Boston College linebacker Donovan Ezeiruaku is a bendy, fluid and versatile pass rusher with an undersized frame. He’s not densely put together but possesses the long arms to meet the NFL’s thresholds. Ezeiruaku is an explosive and sudden athlete with excellent bend to tighten his rush angles to the quarterback. He plays low enough to the ground to slip under the offensive tackle’s hands and avoid taking on unnecessary contact.
Ezeiruaku needs to add counters to his pass rush plan but already knows a good variety of moves. He primarily wins with cross-chops, ghosts, inside swims, rips, spins and two-handed swipes. Ezeiruaku takes advantage of offensive tackles oversetting by firing through the B-gap for quick pressures.
Donovan Ezeiruaku (#6) EDGE Boston College
PFF Grades:
Run Defense = 83.5
Pass Defense = 83.4
2022 Stats: 7 sacks 3 FF
2023 Stats: 2 sacks 2 FF
2024 Stats So Far: 9 sacks 2 FF pic.twitter.com/lzTH00eAxu— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) November 9, 2024
Ezeiruaku lacks the raw power to stack and shed blockers who are pushing vertically but uses his agility and burst to evade offensive linemen and quickly close on ball carriers. He moves like an off-ball linebacker in space with his ability to redirect and mirror running backs. Offensive players can’t shake Ezeiruaku in space, and he uses his speed and excellent pursuit range to chase down players.
Ezeiruaku should ace the speed and agility tests in the pre-draft process, but evaluators could drop him down draft boards because of size concerns. His draft range begins in the second round and extends to the top of the third round.
Three games remain on Boston College’s schedule. The Eagles travel to Dallas to face the 8-1 SMU Mustangs on Saturday at 2:30 p.m CST.
