49ers Rookie Deal Paves Way for Cowboys to Lock in Donovan Ezaraku — But Time Is Ticking Before Camp Opens
The Dallas Cowboys just received an unexpected favor — from the San Francisco 49ers of all teams.
On the surface, the 49ers’ signing of second-round pick Alfred Collins doesn’t scream “game-changer” for Dallas. But in the world of rookie contracts, it might just be the domino the Cowboys needed to fall. Collins, selected 43rd overall — just one pick ahead of Cowboys rookie pass rusher Donovan Ezaraku — signed a 4-year, $10.3 million deal with over $9 million guaranteed. That deal now sets a market precedent for what Ezaraku’s camp can reasonably expect.
For weeks, second-round contracts had been stalled across the league. Only a handful of picks had inked their deals, with Ezaraku among the many still unsigned. Now, thanks to Collins’ contract, the Cowboys and Ezaraku’s representatives have a benchmark to work from.
The sticking point? It’s all about the guaranteed money. The Texans threw the market into chaos earlier by fully guaranteeing their pick Jaden Higgins — a rare move for that draft slot. That pushed other agents to ask for more, while front offices bristled at the sudden shift in expectations.
Still, sources suggest the Cowboys are prepared to go further than usual. While they’ve typically only guaranteed the first two years of second-round rookie deals (as they did with tight end Luke Schoonmaker in 2023), Collins’ deal — with three full years guaranteed — may now force Dallas to step up.
But don’t panic yet, Cowboys Nation. All signs point to this deal getting done soon, possibly before training camp opens. Ezaraku has already stated he doesn’t intend to hold out, and there’s belief within the front office that his signing is imminent.
“This is not a make-or-break contract moment. We’re talking about a couple hundred thousand dollars of guaranteed money,” one source familiar with the situation said. “It’s chump change in NFL terms.”
In other news, the Washington Commanders just made a move that’s catching the attention of Cowboys fans everywhere. Former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller has reportedly signed a one-year deal with Washington, taking the “mercenary” route late in his career.
While Miller isn’t the force he once was — just six sacks in the past two seasons — his presence on passing downs could still be disruptive. The Commanders are desperate for depth alongside Dorance Armstrong, and Miller’s veteran savvy could be a problem if he finds any late-career juice.
BOTTOM LINE: The Cowboys are on the brink of locking in one of their most promising rookies, and the contract stalemate finally looks breakable. But as Von Miller joins an NFC East rival, the road to playoff domination just got bumpier.