Going into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers' need for another pass rusher has been well-known for a while now. It is nothing new.
Finding that perfect fit, however, is the real task at hand.
With a handful of top names likely off the board by the time Green Bay picks at no. 23 overall, fans may already be preparing for this team to target the position on Day 2. We know Abdul Carter is going in the top three. Jalon Walker has no shot of dropping either.
So, do the Packers truly wait until the second round? Not so fast.
One specific prospect has been gaining first round buzz as of late, and he has a connection to Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku is a lock to go in the second round, it seems. But, he just might find himself in the late first, and Green Bay looks like a fit.
Donovan Ezeiruaku's connection to Jeff Hafley could lead Packers to take a healthy gamble
Before coming on as Green Bay's defensive coordinator, of course, Hafley was at Boston College. So, there's a relationship between the two of them in place already.
It isn't just Hafley with a connection to Ezeiruaku, though. If you dig deeper, take a look at Green Bay's defensive line coach Vince Oghobaase who also came from coaching at Boston College with Hafley. Oghobaase was Ezeiruaku's defensive line coach there, so the connections keep growing.
Something also worth noting is the fact that the Packers' official website even name drops Ezeiruaku beneath Oghobaase's coaching bio. That could be coincidence, but it could also mean the team has done longer research on the Eagle than one might think.
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Last season at Boston College, Ezeiruaku finished with 16.5 sacks and an impressive 21 tackles for loss. Both were career highs, no surprise.
Within Hafley's scheme, Ezeiruaku is a perfect fit. That should also not come as a revelation. But, it's worth talking about. Ezeiruaku's blend of strength and athleticism as an outside linebacker who can rush the passer would be the perfect blend to add to this defense.
The Packers certainly have other positions of need, and this might even be seen as more of a luxury pick by some. However, Ezeiruaku is as good of an option at 23 overall as quite a few others. The draft is loaded with talent in that area, so this might not be a total reach as some would see it on the surface.