The Underrated Stud That Could Be The Bills’ Best Case Scenario In Round One
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The 2025 NFL Draft is rich with defensive linemen. While many are all out of reach for a Bills defensive line that ranked smack dab in the middle of the NFL in terms of sack production, one player who graded well at the NFL Combine this year is within reach and could be a giant steal for Buffalo.
Couldn’t have been more impressed with ED Donovan Ezeiruaku during his podium session. Great clip here of him breaking down the “why” of a ghost pass rush move
Said his mentality is what separates him in a great edge rush class — I believe it pic.twitter.com/UExo4dIYDB
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) February 26, 2025
That’s the heavily underrated Donovan Ezeiruaku. He isn’t a player who jumps off the charts in terms of size or speed, as he’s “only” 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds. However, his devastating pass rush moves, elite technique, high motor, game tape, and elite 2024 season are what allowed him to jump into first round consideration. His lack of being a physical specimen will make more than a few teams pass on him, but if he falls to Buffalo at the 29th pick, he would be their best case scenario.
He had a remarkable 2024, as he was second in the nation in sacks with 16.5. That total tied Harold Landry for the most in a season in Boston College history. Among players with at least 700 total snaps, he was one of three players with at least a 90.0 overall PFF grade (Green and Carter are the others). He ranked third in the country in total pass rush snaps, with 428, led the nation with 20 QB hits, and only had five missed tackles all year.
His strong year filled his trophy case. He won the Ted Hendricks Award, which honors the nation’s top defensive end, which is a tall honor in a year in which Abdul Carter existed. He was also named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-ACC member (which, given the DPOY award, was kind of assumed), and a consensus All-American.
Much of his technique was refined by going up against offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo in practice. Trapilo, who is a projected Day Two pick and the 10th rated offensive tackle in the draft per PFF, says Ezeiruaku was a player who made him better. Despite Trapilo’s towering 6-foot-8, 310 pound frame, the two consistently had great battles that led to a mutual respect for one another.
“He’s always been an explosive guy,” Trapilo said. “He’s a very intelligent player. He has a gameplan at all times, especially when you’re in practice. You have one-on-ones against him, you’re getting a couple of reps a day. You’re going against him every snap throughout all the team drills. It becomes more mental warfare than anything physical. He succeeded at that very well.”
His specialty as a pass rusher would be a great asset for a Bills team that only had one player, Greg Rousseau, have more than six sacks (he had eight). Consistently winning in the trenches and putting pressure on the quarterback is what allows the entire defense to function more effectively. For a team that has struggled to take down the Grim Reaper in a Patrick Mahomes jersey in the playoffs every year, any player with pass rushing acumen, especially one as strong as Ezeiruaku’s, would be a great benefit.
He had four games with multiple sacks in 2024, including his final career game against Pitt where he registered a career high of 3.5 sacks. His play against Western Kentucky got commendation from Boston College’s familiar name of a head coach.
“Donovan is a hell of a player,” Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien said after their win versus Western Kentucky, in which Ezeiruaku totaled three sacks. “One of the best players in the ACC. He’s a playmaker. He’s smart. He knows when the time is right to make a play. He’s got good timing, he knew that we needed a play right there and he made a play. We’re very happy that Donovan is on our team that’s for sure. He did a great job today.”
Ezeiruaku has been mocked to the Bills by both NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks and NFL Trade Rumors’ Logan Ulrich. For a defense that could very much use help on all ends, capitalizing on a first round that includes an embarrassment of riches in the front seven would make life easier for the rest of the defense. Other needs in the secondary and at wide receiver could be addressed in round one as well, as there are strong players at both positions in round one. The Bills could even address the interior defensive line as well, especially since Sean McDermott has a well-known knack for inside jobs. However, if Ezeiruaku falls into the Bills’ lap, Brandon Beane shouldn’t waste any time making him their selection.
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