"For all of the offseason hype, and even what he flashed in August, Ezeiruaku had an underwhelming rookie year. Despite leading all edge players in total snaps, he only finished with two sacks. He did have 2025's only safety and was among the team leaders in QB hits, but Ezeiruaku didn't seal the deal on enough plays to be impactful."
"James Houston - Unlike his rookie teammate, Houston did carry preseason momentum into the real games. His 5.5 sacks were good enough for second on the team, and you felt his presence more than most Cowboys on defense. Dallas has him back this year for a cheap $1.1 million, which is outstanding for a solid rotation piece among your edge rushers."
"Isaiah Land - A darling of preseasons past, Land spent 2025 on Dallas' practice squad after a two-year stint with the Colts. He was a painful loss during 2023 final cuts, getting claimed by Indy off the Cowboys' waivers. Dallas got him back last August and signed him to a futures deal for next season. Now a fourth-year veteran with some real experience, we'll see if he can capitalize on this second shot with the Cowboys."
The Cowboys' defense requires major upgrades after one of the worst seasons in team history, with many defensive ends hitting free agency or expiring contracts. Donovan Ezeiruaku led edge players in snaps but recorded only two sacks, one safety and several QB hits, indicating underperformance amid broader defensive issues under Matt Eberflus. James Houston produced 5.5 sacks and returns on a $1.1 million deal as a reliable rotational pass rusher. Isaiah Land spent 2025 on the practice squad after time with the Colts and now has a futures contract. Adedayo Odeleye joins after multiple practice squad stints with unique athletic background.
Read at Blogging The Boys
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