Ezeiruaku saved his best performance for the season finale against Pittsburgh. He generated 14 total pressures, according to PFF, often working through double teams to get to quarterback Nate Yarnell. He got four sacks -- a season-high -- with six run stops.
Ezeiruaku finished with 60 total pressures and 42 run stops, both of which were second among edge defenders.
"He's quick off the snap, using bend and agility to win at the top of the rush or make stops in the backfield," [\*\*wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein.\*\*](https://www.nfl.com/prospects/donovan-ezeiruaku/3200455a-4524-5894-e7c9-c127cd7787ca) "His hands exploit small advantages to turn them into big ones and he has a variety of ways to challenge protection, though he's still learning to craft his plans."
The Commanders could use a player who knows how to step up against the run and pass on their roster in 2025. They were fine in sack production last year with 43 in 2024 -- in fairness, that's tied for the most they've recorded in a season since 2020 -- but there were moments when it was clear they still needed more from their defensive ends. The defense's performance against the run was troublesome all season, although it was most glaring when the Philadelphia Eagles rushed for 229 yards in the NFC Championship.
And Ezeiruaku would not provide a complete solution to Washington's defensive issues. He likes to cut under offensive tackles, which can result in him losing contain and providing an escape route for quarterbacks. Although he's found ways around his size, it's clear that it does hinder him at times in the run game.
The good news is that Ezeiruaku doesn't have to carry the burden of being Washington's only solution on the edge, especially as a rookie. The staff has shown a knack for finding what players do well and putting them in the best scenario to succeed. For Ezeiruaku, that's beating players around the edge and getting quarterbacks on the ground.
"Ezeiruaku's play demeanor, skill and athletic talent are the underpinnings of a productive starter with three-down value," Zierlein wrote.