With the 75th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Osa Odighizuwa, defensive tackle from UCLA.
The Cowboys had 11 picks in the 2021 draft, and much to the delight of new Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn, seven of those picks were on defense.
An absolute gem of a pick at 12th overall, Micah Parsons tends to overshadow the rest of the draft class.
Osa cannot be lost in the shuffle, as he has arrived on the scene after his first two seasons were up to par with what you expect from a third round pick.
Over his first two seasons, Odighizuwa started 29 out of a possible 33 games, and was/is a huge part in turning around an historically bad 2020 defense.
He received a good amount of playing time early on with his only competition being veteran journeymen Carlos Watkins and Brent Urban.
In 33 game appearances, Osa racked up 79 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and 6.0 sacks.
More than respectable numbers for a third round pick, but Osa has taken his game to another level in 2023.
Let’s take a look specifically at his impact so far this season, and what it means both for he and the Cowboys moving forward.
Run Defense
Most of what we discuss in this article will be in comparison to just how far the defense has come since the firing of Mike Nolan after the 2020 season.
Enter Dan Quinn, a defensive coordinator with head coach experience, and the coordinator of one of the best defenses in NFL history: the Legion of Boom.
We all know how those Seattle defenses wrecked offensive game plans and gave quarterbacks nightmares for years.
Despite the improvements, the run defense has still been one of the only weak areas the past two seasons.
This year, Osa is a large part of the improvement in that area.
Dallas currently ranks 17th in the NFL in rush defense, giving up 111.7 yards per game.
It might not seem like that’s a good ranking, but compared to 129.3 yards per game last season, it’s a huge improvement.
Osa is already more than halfway to matching his past two seasons on each of the major milestones on rush defense: tackles and tackles for loss.
In 2021, he reached 36 tackles and six tackles for loss. In 2022, those numbers grew to 43 tackles and eight tackles for loss.
So far this season in just six games, those numbers stand at 21 tackles and six tackles for loss.
Extrapolated over the next 11 games into a full season, Osa is projected to finish with 59 tackles and 17 tackles for loss.
Both would mark career highs for him.
Pass Rush
If you think Osa has grown as a run defender, his pass rush is what has stuck out more so far in 2023.
The Cowboys sport a fierce pass rush that is widely considered the deepest in the league.
Led by Micah Parsons, the Dallas pass rush also features players like DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, and Dante Fowler Jr.
The success of one of these players getting a sack is celebrated like a win for the entire defensive line, and Osa has had plenty to celebrate so far.
Osa has 3.0 sacks and six quarterback hits in six games so far in 2023.
Those numbers in 2021 were 2.0 sacks and 11 quarterback hits, and grew to 4.0 sacks and 11 quarterback hits in 2022.
Thus far in 2023, Osa’s numbers stand at 3.0 sacks and six quarterback hits.
Once again extrapolated over the remaining 11 regular season games, those numbers grow to 8.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits, both career highs.
Stats aren’t even the first indication at how far Odighizuwa has come as a player.
Simply watching him play, it’s apparent he is a different player in 2023.
What’s Next For Odighizuwa?
Honestly, if he keeps up this pace, a huge payday is what’s in store for the defensive tackle from UCLA.
Osa’s trajectory in his player development is pointing upwards, with no sign of slowing.
Defensive Line Coach Aden Durde raves about Osa’s development at every opportunity, and has been a huge part in that.
Odighizuwa put himself on a training regimen this past offseason that mirrors the workout plan of 3x Defensive Player of the Year and 9x All-Pro Aaron Donald.
Osa is the better player for it, and it has been showing on the field.
There is so much chatter about this Dallas Cowboys defense being one of the best to ever line up on the field, and Osa Odighizuwa is a large part in that.