The Green Bay Packers needed a pass-rusher. More specifically, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley needed a big addition who fits his system and could provide much-needed sacks.
If only one of the draft's top pass-rushers had played under Hafley at Boston College. Enter Donovan Ezeiruaku, a first-round talent who fell into the Dallas Cowboys' lap on Day 2. Ezeiruaku would've been a perfect fit in a Hafley system he already knows so well.
To make matters worse, he's now drawing Travis Hunter-level hype.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report put together a list of rookies with the potential to have a more exciting rookie season than Hunter, the two-way star who could become an All-Pro on offense and defense for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"Ezeiruaku led all Power Four pass-rushers with 16.5 sacks last season. He finished one sack short of leading the entire nation. He's smooth off the edge and understands how to attack blockers," writes Sobleski.
As Sobleski notes, Ezeiruaku benefits from playing opposite Micah Parsons, which will allow him to face one-on-one matchups on a regular basis.
Packers may regret not reuniting Jeff Hafley with rising star Donovan Ezeiruaku
Ezeiruaku has already turned heads this offseason, and it's painful just imagining the impact he could've made under Hafley. The Cowboys crushed that dream.
His potential to immediately make sacks in the NFL justifies the Hunter-level hype. While the Boston College standout isn't going to play on offense anytime soon, he could make just as big of an impact on defense as Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in April.
The Packers rolled the dice at edge-rusher, passing in free agency before again turning down the top talents the draft had to offer. They eventually addressed the position by selecting Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver on Day 3. While both players have potential, it's a big ask to expect instant results from prospects picked in the fourth and fifth rounds.
Instead, they must rely on Lukas Van Ness, who has yet to start an NFL game. According to Pro Football Focus, Van Ness made a disappointing four sacks and 20 pressures last season. For perspective, that's only two more pressures than Brenton Cox Jr., who didn't play a single snap until Week 11 and featured in nine fewer games and 268 fewer snaps.
Sigh. What could've been.
Make no mistake about it. We're delighted the Packers drafted Matthew Golden in the first round and, admittedly, the Cowboys took Ezeiruaku 10 picks before Green Bay hit the clock on Day 2. But if ever there were a time to trade up, a move for the Ted Hendricks Award winner was it.
Ezeiruaku is already turning heads, and the Packers may have to watch him make a Travis Hunter-level impact in Dallas this season.
