SANTA CLARA, Calif. — At the recent NFL combine, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch emphasized that improving the defensive line was a crucial goal for the offseason.
This week, Lynch acted on that plan by trading for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, sending a 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall) to Dallas. This move aims to strengthen a pass rush that struggled last season.
In 2025, the 49ers ranked last in the NFL for sacks with only 20. They also placed 31st in pressures and 29th in pass rush success rate. The interior defensive line was particularly weak, contributing just 4.5 sacks total. Starters Kalia Davis and Jordan Elliott combined for a mere 0.5 sacks over 516 snaps before Elliott signed with the Tennessee Titans, and Davis’s future remains uncertain.
Despite only getting 3.5 sacks in 2025, Odighizuwa excelled in other areas. He led all defensive tackles with 23 quarterback hits and had a commendable pass rush win rate of 10%. Over the past five seasons, he ranks fourth among defensive tackles with 81 quarterback hits. His contract with the Cowboys was substantial—four years and $80 million, including $39 million guaranteed at signing. The Cowboys had to absorb $16 million in dead money from this trade while freeing up around $4.75 million in salary cap space.
Now, Odighizuwa will join returning tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West on the 49ers’ defensive line, where he is expected to play a significant role. His contract runs through 2028, including fully guaranteed base salaries of $16.25 million in 2026 and $20 million in the following two years.
Last season, Odighizuwa earned the respect of his teammates, being named one of the defensive captains. He started 76 of his 84 career games, recording 212 tackles and 17 sacks. Despite a minor elbow surgery this offseason, he is anticipated to be ready for the upcoming training sessions.
The Cowboys explored trade options for Odighizuwa, even considering a potential deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. However, the 49ers showed the most interest, which ultimately led to this recent acquisition.
The Cowboys are likely looking to rebuild, having recently traded Solomon Thomas to the Titans. They now hold three top-100 picks in the upcoming draft, which gives them flexibility to strengthen their roster further.
As teams reorganize and prepare for the next season, this move could reshape the 49ers’ defensive dynamics and enhance their performance on the field.
