Donovan Ezeiruaku Is The Anti-Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
April 22nd, 2025
Boston College DE Donovan Ezeiruaku.
Let’s be real: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka is a bust.
At least he was with the Bucs.
JTS didn’t produce much in his two college seasons. Got one sack as a freshman. Got eight sacks as a sophomore.
Then, JTS’s junior season was a total wash due to The Sickness. The Bucs took a flier on him in the first round as much for what the team projected him to be as for what he did on the field for Washington.
With the Bucs, JTS did a whole lot of running around with little results. Good guy. Worked hard. Hustled. Just no results.
The Bucs did him no favors trying to turn a pass rusher into a coverage linebacker. The Bucs have had zero luck drafting edge rushers since Bucs coach Todd Bowles came on board as a defensive coordinator in 2019.
Joe blames the Bucs trying to force edge rushers into responsibilities they rarely (never?) had in college.
A prospect linked to the Bucs, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku, is the anti-JTS, types Albert Breer of SI.com.
Breer, who is as plugged in as any NFL reporter, spoke with the personnel directors of each team and wanted them to break down the needs of every other team, and how they would attack the draft for said team.
Per Breer, the consensus among personnel suits in the NFL is that the Bucs need an edge rusher and they will/should draft Ezeiruaku at No. 19 on Thursday night.
…This could be a fourth edge rusher in five picks, and Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku is one to watch right here—the Bucs struck on a “traits” edge rusher four years ago, in taking Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in the first round, and Ezeiruaku is the anthesis of that. He was hyper productive, and a big-time program guy at BC, and is considered relatively safe, even if he’s a bit small for the position. Corner would also be in play here, with Kentucky speedster Maxwell Hairston a potential fit for the Bucs.
Once again, Joe can argue that any position on the Bucs’ defense can use a first-round pick. Edge rusher is no different.
“This Joe” thinks it’s a 40 percent chance Haason Reddick returns in 2026. He will be 32 by the start of that season and that’s usually where the road ends for most edge rushers.
Do we really believe Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will pay Reddick market value if Reddick balls out this year? That could be $35 million a year. And since it will likely be Reddick’s final contract, you know he’s going to the highest bidder.
So yeah, it makes sense to draft an edge rusher now, knowing full well history demonstrates a rookie edge rusher won’t produce much, but that also means Ezeiruaku would be ready to rock and roll as a second-year man in 2026.
The #Panthers need juice off the edge – plain and simple imo.
I don't view Donovan Ezeiruaku as a liability in run defense by any means, but he's undeniably a bendy, long, smart and technically refined pass rusher. Deep bag and knows how to formulate and execute a plan. pic.twitter.com/nSYPWpOZUp
— Ricky Raines (@rickyboboddy) March 19, 2025
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:31 am
This is who I want. But I don’t see him making it to 19.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:39 am
Hopefully the front office has learned the difference between football players and physical freaks. Potential literally means nothing in the NFL especially if the player doesn’t love the game. In order to play either line a player has to have a mean streak or a little dog in them. JTS doesn’t seem to have any of these traits.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:40 am
Certainly has a swim move. Looks like a polished vet.
Not worried about the draft. Licht’s got a cheat code.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:47 am
No question…a bust…..
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:55 am
So, I see him clearly making it to the Bucs.
He is a complete player (at least was in college) so I like the Bucs considering him because that was a lot of production in college.
Yet, it is really mostly speed that makes him a 1st rounder from an NFL standpoint and I tend to like combo guys. For him, my quick assessment is speed (grade A), power (grade C), overall mass of the player (C-), and wing span (B).
I really think that he does not right now have the strength to play against the run on early downs in the NFL.
But considering it is a weak draft — he just might be the best choice along the line.
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:57 am
Really hoping Ezeiruaku is on the board at #19.
Pretty sure Donovan will be the pick if he is available.
If not – then I hope we can trade down at least a few or more spots – pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd rd pick – and then take one of the higher rated CBs with 1st selection (Hairston, Revel Jr or Amos)
April 22nd, 2025 at 10:58 am
This should be the pick if he is still on the board.
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:08 am
joe do you have him above mike green?
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:35 am
Plan 6 From Outer Space
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:37 am
Given the production, JTS should have been a 6th round pick, or 7th. Should have played special teams and occasional defense. While Licht has been very good at drafting, he has definitely not been great. This year is a good time to be great. For all the hits you get in the mid and late rounds, one first round bust outweighs them and all the mid-round hits you got last season too.
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:38 am
JTS is taking strays today lol
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:48 am
I screwed around with the PFF (I always feel like calling them BFF) draft simulator (for about 10 minutes). LOL
For what it’s worth, and that’s not much, it always had EZ going a few picks before 19. We’ll see what real life is like in a couple days.
April 22nd, 2025 at 11:50 am
pewter941… those aren’t strays, those are sniper shots from very powerful rifles with long range scopes.
Intended head/kill shots.
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:09 pm
Joggin’ Joe Tryon
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:18 pm
Edge rusher. Better this year than next for sure. But the same can be said for ILB, corner and safety. D tackle is becoming a must as well. Soo
JTS and Diva hurt this team more than I realized. I hate to say that last but those two set us back.
Go Bucs!
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:24 pm
Jeffrey Becker Says:
joe do you have him above mike green?
^^^^^
I read an article directly comparing just the two. Almost identical size. Green is taller by 2 inches but statistcally EZ has Green beat. .5 tack less but WAY HIGHER QB pressures. EZ also went against better competition. EZ was also considered a solid locker room guy.
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:43 pm
‘The Bucs did him no favors trying to turn a pass rusher into a coverage linebacker.’
And I thought we would never agree on anything. EZ would be a great pick at 19…I’m not sold at all on Riddicks 3 and a half sacks over the last 1 and a half seasons. You could pick just about any position on defense and make a great argument that help is needed.
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:45 pm
ezzy is the guy.
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:55 pm
Someone’s gonna fall. At least one QB is always taken early that almost no one saw coming. Vegas probably knows something we don’t about Jaxson Dart—odds have him with nearly an 89% chance to go in the first round, and at this point it’s looking like it’ll be in the first half of it.
And let’s be real, there’s always one total curveball pick. Remember when the Raiders took Darrius Heyward-Bey at No. 7 just because he was fast? That was the ultimate “Al Davis Special.” There’s going to be a team this year that makes a move like that—takes someone off athletic traits, speed, or just gut feeling alone. Could be another WR. Could even be someone we’re not even talking about right now.
There’s always at least one. Get ready. Trust Licht to trust his board…
April 22nd, 2025 at 12:59 pm
Noah Spence,JTS, Logan Hall.
Bucs are great at drafting. Except Edge/defensive End.
And I’m still worried about Kancey being chronically injured, due to his small size.
I think the Bucs load up on Linebackers and Secondary guys thru the draft.
Then find a veteran Edge and WR to add in free agency.
We suck at drafting Defensive linemen. We are a lot better at signing them.
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:06 pm
How do you get them all on the field, Braswell, Nelson, Diaby, Reddick and add Ezeiruaku. Not too mention moving Kancy around from time to time.
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:22 pm
No way he falls to us but one can hope
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:22 pm
Don’t forget Adrian clayborn… or Gaines adams… or daquan bowers… I’m sure I’m missing a few. As a franchise we haven’t really hit on any we drafted. That I can think of at least.
April 22nd, 2025 at 1:43 pm
This is our guy! Will be watching every pick from 8 on with great interest, hoping he gets there.
If not, I am with the rest of you hoping for a trade down, then taking BPA between CBs and DTs or Starks who I am sure they love.
April 22nd, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Go get him
April 22nd, 2025 at 2:08 pm
Like Ezeiruaku better than Jihaad Campbell and his bad shoulder but don’t think Ezeeiruaku is big enough or strong enough to get around 325lb OT’s. Maybe playing him on pure passing downs will work out. Just have a feeling that if Bucs sign him, he will be another project. Bucs need someone who can contribute immediately.
April 22nd, 2025 at 2:46 pm
I say pick highest rated defensive player available regardless of position
April 22nd, 2025 at 3:28 pm
What will be said if JTS goes off in CLE? My sources (trust me bro) tell me that’s why they’re going Hunter over Carter
Haha jk
April 22nd, 2025 at 3:51 pm
Yall don’t get it…
Ever hear of Leroy Selmon? Has a major toll road named after him, had a steakhouse and I think his name is somewhere in Ohio, on a bust… place called Canton.
I was alive when he played, granted I was in high school when he played his last season.
That is the loan superstar the Bucs have drafted at DE but we’ve had some solid defensive ends that held their own and started a lot of games. Chidi and Greg Spires come to mind. White wasn’t bad. Jones had a couple good seasons (13 sacks one season). The move to the left side didn’t go well. He hurt his knee in 2002.
The first rounder DEs of Adrian Clayborn, Gaines Adams, Regan Upshaw, Eric Curry and Keith McCants are part of the rough history. But some of those GMs and coaching staffs were not very good… and remember who the owner of the Bucs was for a lot of these.
Noah Spence was an injury risk that we whiffed on and JTS had very little production during the covid year. They should have gone with somebody else in retrospect, too risky. I think it’s okay to take risks on the mid-round picks (ie. McMillan) but not on a first… and GMs have said you only hit 50% of the time anyhow. I think Licht and company have learned their lesson and look at work ethic, love for the game, production on film, leadership/locker room persona and such at higher value than just pure athleticism. EZ hits all of those but might not be there at 19.
2 more days …….
April 22nd, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Gipper
Reddick is an inch shorter and 10-15 lb lighter than EZ.
He makes it work somehow. For a season at least, EZ would have the perfect vet to teach him.
Trick is, it’s hard to say who the Bucs rate as the best DE on their board. He may not even BE on their board but they might have somebody else ranked higher nobody here is thinking of. Kancey was a surprise to everybody, being taken that high. It was the right move… assuming he can play a 17 game season.
Will be interesting for sure.
April 22nd, 2025 at 5:11 pm
He would be a great pick. There’s only a few players I would rather get that could realistically drop to #19.