Let’s take a closer look at one of the prospects the Panthers could select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Since it’s never too early to look forward to the NFL Draft, this weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2025 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Boston College Eagles edge defender Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Ezeiruaku is an undersized (6’2″, 247 lbs) but explosive edge defender who finished his senior season at BC with 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss. He also racked up 80 total tackles for the Eagles. Ezeiruaku burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2022, tallying 8.5 sacks, three forces fumbles, and a couple pass deflections. Expectations were high heading into his junior season, but he struggled, managing only two sacks and seven tackles for loss despite playing in one more game than in the previous season. Ezeiruaku definitely showed up his senior season, though, garnering a consensus All-American nod and the 2024 ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
Ezeiruaku does a good job of setting up his pass rush moves by starting one way and basically euro stepping to the other direction once the tackle commits. He has several pass rush moves and has elite bend around the edge to use his speed to get after the quarterback. He attacks blocks well in the run game, but his lack of size and strength limit his effectiveness against tackles and pulling offensive lineman. He is able to handle tight ends fairly well, so he could be a three down lineman in a wide nine look. In normal defensive alignment, though, Ezeiruaku projects as a third down rush specialist until he can put more meat on those bones. Still, with the Panthers bereft of pas rushing talent, they could take a flyer on Ezeiruaku late on day two or early on day three of the Draft.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Donovan Ezeiruaku is available when the Panthers select in the 2025 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!