Week 2 Rookie Matchup: Osa Odighizuwa vs. Rashawn Slater
Osa Odighizuwa, DT
School: UCLA
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 280 lbs
The Cowboys’ run defense was at the bottom of the league last season. No matter which opposing running back touched the ball, they seemed to gain at least 100 yards on the Cowboys. With longtime Cowboy Tyrone Crawford retiring before the season, the front office realized a need to focus on was defensive tackle.
In the third round of the draft, the Cowboys selected Osa Odighizwua from UCLA. Looking at his tape from college, it’s easy to see the rare traits that made him a top 100 pick in the draft.
UCLA DL Osa Odighizuwa plays 0 through 5T, using his low COG and explosiveness off the ball to get under his man's pads. His determination to get to the ball is easy to see, fighting through doubles and finding the ball. #SnapScout21 pic.twitter.com/kRL9lp22BJ
— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) November 30, 2020
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn found a player in Odighizuwa similar to his former Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Atlanta, Grady Jarrett. The UCLA product is a strong run defender and has the upside to be a good pass rusher. When starting defensive tackle Neville Gallimore suffered a dislocated elbow in the preseason, which opened the door for the rookie to get playing time right away.
Rookie DT Osa Odighizuwa knocking down the pass in team drills pic.twitter.com/HGM3TAnROD
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) July 31, 2021
In Week 1 against the Buccaneers, Odighizuwa and the Dallas defensive line held the Buc’s running backs to just 52 yards rushing. That’s a positive sign for this team, especially against the former Super Bowl Champions with runners like Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones II.
No. 97 finished the game with just one tackle, but other important statistics don’t show up on the stat sheet like listed below.
Top 5 pass rush win percentages per @PFF from rookies with at least 10 pass rush snaps:
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 14, 2021
1. Christian Barmore (19/21.1%)
2. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (12/16.7%)
3. Azeez Ojulari (19/15.8%)
4. Micah Parsons (13/15.4%)
5. Osa Odighizuwa (26/11.5%)
With defensive end Demarcus Lawrence missing about two months after breaking his foot in practice, players like Odighizuwa will have to step up and prove they can dominate. After Week 1, he seems up to the challenge.