Dallas Cowboys scored major NFL Draft win thanks to Saints, insider says

The New Orleans Saints reached at pick No. 40, helping the Dallas Cowboys land a steal in Round 2.

Boston College defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

One of the first big steals for the Dallas Cowboys during the 2025 NFL draft occurred in the second round.

Dallas atoned for a perceived reach in Round 1, where they took Alabama guard Tyler Booker at No. 12 overall, by landing ACC-sack leader Donovan Ezeiruaku at No. 44 overall. As thrilled as they were to take the Boston College product, Dallas wouldn’t have had the chance if not for the New Orleans Saints.

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That’s the stance PFF’s Trevor Sikkema takes as he says New Orleans reached for Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough at No. 40, when Ezeiruaku would have been the better selection.

Boston College Eagles defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku in action during the game between the SMU Mustangs and the Boston College Eagles. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

”This pick swap can be summed up as: I was not big on Tyler Shough, who ranked 133rd on my big board, and the Saints took him at pick No. 40. Even with the quarterback position tax, that is a reach.” — Sikemma, PFF

New Orleans felt pressured into a quarterback due to a shoulder injury suffered by Derek Carr, but Sikemma says they still need pass rushers and should have taken Ezeiruaku, who was the best EDGE on the board — and a top 20 player overall according to the PFF Big Board.

The Saints, who hired former Dallas offensive coordinator Kellen Moore as their head coach this offseason, allowed need to dictate their move in Round 2. The Cowboys have been guilty of this in the past, but benefited from such a move this year.

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