After a league-wide standoff that saw all but two second-round picks not sign their rookie contracts throughout the summer in hopes of securing more guaranteed money, the dominoes have begun to fall. The Dallas Cowboys are one of those in line, as defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku signed his four-year rookie contract on Thursday worth $10.155 million. He was able to secure over $8.5 million in guaranteed money on the deal.
Ezeiruaku, a pass rush specialist from Boston College that the Cowboys selected with the No. 44 overall pick, signed a participation waiver that allowed him to participate in the team’s offseason program including the organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp. Now that a deal is signed, he will be able to fully participate in training camp as well without any off-the-field concerns.
In a league-wide trend that also took place in 2024 when second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland was also the last one to sign in the Cowboys’ rookie class, agents of second-round selections have begun seeking more guaranteed money for their clients. Before July 16, only two second-round picks had signed: Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger (No. 33 overall pick) and Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (No. 34 overall pick). As the top two selections in the second round, they were able to secure their guaranteed money early in the process.
On Wednesday night, 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins was the first to budge, signing a deal that guaranteed close to 87-percent of his contract. Nearly a dozen more followed suit in the ensuing 24 hours.
There hasn’t been any frustration with Ezeiruaku in the Cowboys’ building, according to one team source. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite since his arrival. Multiple team sources have told the Star-Telegram that the team feels they got a first-round value in their No. 44 overall selection after evaluating his early returns. When he was asked by the media about his contract situation during team minicamp, he said his focus has been on getting up to speed with his new team and letting his agent handle the rest.
“I’m here doing what I have to do every single day,” Ezeiruaku said. “That’s between the organization and my agent. I have full faith that they’re going to get that done. When it’s ready, it’ll be ready and I’ll sign that piece of paper. Until then, I’m doing what I have to do here.”
Now that his contract is signed and sealed, the Cowboys have locked in their entire rookie class with deals. They will take the field on July 21 for the beginning of training came in Oxnard, Calif. for the first season in the Brian Schottenheimer era.