Dallas Cowboys' "best-kept secret" will make-or-break 2026 season

The Dallas Cowboys failed to reach the playoffs in two straight seasons, making the 2026 season one of the most pivotal in the franchise's recent history.

If the Cowboys want to return to the postseason this year, they will need the offense to once again be one of the most dynamic units in the sport.

However, the defense, led by new defensive coordinator Christian Patker, will decide the fate of Dallas' season. The Cowboys' defense was awful in 2025, allowing the most points per game in the league and failing to aid the offense in any way.

One of the main reasons for the Cowboys' defensive struggles last year was their failure to generate pressure on the quarterback. Dallas ranked in the bottom ten in sacks, and the sudden departure of Micah Parsons via trade to the Green Bay Packers obviously played a major factor in the lack of pass rush.

The addition of Rashan Gary from the Packers this offseason should help the Cowboys' pass-rushing production, but the veteran can't do it all by himself. That's why the "best-kept secret" on the team's roster is going to make-or-break the 2026 season for Dallas.

Donovan Ezeiruaku named Cowboys' best-kept secret

Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wrote an article naming the best-kept secrets on each NFL team's roster, and for the Cowboys, he listed second-year edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku.

"The Dallas Cowboys made a massive blunder by trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last year, but they have done a good job improving the defense and placing an emphasis on rebuilding the pass rush. Donovan Ezeiruaku, whom the Cowboys chose in last year's second round, is at the forefront of that transition. Ezeiruaku may have registered only two sacks, but he posted positive signs throughout his rookie campaign," Sobleski wrote.

Dallas took Ezeiruaku with the No. 44 in the 2025 NFL Draft, and though he had just two sacks in 17 games, the Boston College product showcased why he could be a future building block on the Cowboys' defense. In a limited role, Ezeiruaku tallied 36 quarterback pressures and 24 defensive stops and was quietly one of the better rookie pass rushers.

Though Dallas spent a first-round pick in April's draft on an edge rusher in Malachi Lawrence, Ezeiruaku is still in a solid position to be the other edge starter opposite Gary in 2026, and his play will be incredibly crucial to the Cowboys' success.

However, Ezeiruaku is already dealing with some adversity. The 22-year-old will miss most of the Cowboys' offseason activities to recover from hip surgery, but should be ready to go by training camp.

Overall, Ezeiruaku could be the player who makes or breaks the 2026 season for Dallas. If he is able to establish himself as an eclectic complement to Gary and post adequate production as the No. 2 edge, the Cowboys' defense should be much improved and catapult Brian Schottenheimer's squad back to the postseason.

But if Ezeiruaku can't take a step forward and disappoints, Dallas will once again have a lackluster pass rush and a defense that raises more questions than answers throughout the year.