Despite ranking second in the entire National Football League for quarterback pressures (60) in 2024 at only 26 years old, Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has not received the recognition many believe he deserves. During the NFL offseason, ESPN surveyed coaches, scouts, and executives to rank the top 10 players at all positions, yet Odighizuwa was not included among the top defensive tackles or even the honorable mentions. Instead, he appeared in a category designated for players “also receiving votes.” This discrepancy between his measurable production and his standing among peers highlights a significant disconnect in how Odighizuwa is perceived across the league.
Coaches, scouts, and executives ranked Dexter Lawrence II of the New York Giants first among defensive tackles, followed by established players such as Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) and Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles). Odighizuwa’s absence from this elite top 10 group—despite outperforming many in pressure statistics—raises questions regarding the criteria used to evaluate interior defensive linemen in the NFL. While some players, including Kenny Clark (Green Bay Packers) and Ed Oliver (Buffalo Bills), also only received votes, Odighizuwa’s level of performance puts him in a discussion that many believe should be far more prominent.
Performance Comparison Highlights Disparities in Industry Perception
The difference in reputation becomes particularly evident when Odighizuwa is directly compared to Jalen Carter, a fellow defensive tackle from Odighizuwa’s NFC East division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. Carter, who has played fewer seasons and posted lower individual statistics in 2024, was ranked third in the list and received votes placing him as high as first and never lower than fourth. Odighizuwa, on the other hand, despite recording 60 quarterback pressures compared to Carter’s 53, was overlooked.
Both players recorded the same number of sacks in the 2024 season, with 4.5 each, but Carter’s association with the reigning Super Bowl LIX champion Eagles appears to have bolstered his reputation significantly. Odighizuwa’s 12.3 percent quarterback pressure rate exceeds Carter’s 10.4 percent, demonstrating superior efficiency at disrupting opposing quarterbacks.
One factor possibly influencing this perception gap is their physical profile and playing style. Carter stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs around 300 pounds, presenting a dominant physical presence. In contrast, Odighizuwa is slightly shorter at 6-foot-2 and lighter, weighing approximately 280 pounds. His approach leans more on athleticism and finesse rather than sheer power, which may lead some evaluators to undervalue his contributions despite their statistical merit.
How Dallas’ New Defensive Scheme Aligns with Odighizuwa’s Strengths
Looking ahead to the 2025 NFL season, Odighizuwa is well-positioned to achieve even greater statistical success under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Eberflus, who previously served as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, plans to implement a defensive scheme emphasizing vertical movement along the line of scrimmage. This contrasts sharply with the more reactionary style utilized last season under Mike Zimmer, which focused heavily on the defensive linemen holding their ground against blockers.
Dallas’ defense in 2024 relied significantly on linebackers for generating plays, but Eberflus intends to shift the workload back towards the defensive line, creating more opportunities for linemen like Odighizuwa to make impactful plays. This system suits Odighizuwa’s playing style, which capitalizes on his quickness and agility rather than just his strength.
Odighizuwa expressed confidence in the new scheme during the last day of the mandatory minicamp on June 12, stating,
“I’m very comfortable with it. I love it. I’m just very excited to play in it. It’s going to be a good year. I like what [Eberflus] got going on. I like the vibe that him and Schotty have. I feel I learned pretty fast, like adjusting to different things. I feel like it hasn’t been too much of an adjustment because a lot of the things that I’m being asked to do just align with my skillset really well. So it’s more so just learning the X’s and O’s, which I feel like I pick up on pretty quickly.”
—Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle
Anticipated Growth in Odighizuwa’s Impact and League Standing
During the previous season, Odighizuwa set career personal bests with 4.5 sacks and 60 quarterback pressures operating in Zimmer’s scheme. However, his development over the last few seasons suggests he is now able to leverage a more dynamic defensive approach to increase his on-field influence significantly. The 2025 scheme will likely incorporate more pre-snap and post-snap movement, including twists and stunts along the defensive front, bringing the Cowboys defense closer to the style Dan Quinn employed in previous years, which favored athleticism among defensive linemen.
Odighizuwa also noted the advantages of this scheme style:
“I feel like, it’s not just me, I feel like it’s a scheme that requires the D-line to eat. It’s just not one where it’s set up for us to eat. If the D-line doesn’t eat, the scheme isn’t going to work. You know what I mean? … Definitely a lot more similarities with DQ’s defense. Just more, not to say we move a bunch, just like more stunts, more twists, stuff like that. It just favors more athletic DTs and more athletic defensive linemen in general. It’s a defense that requires you to have very athletic defensive linemen.”
—Osa Odighizuwa, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle
This shift back toward a defense that emphasizes agility and player movement should elevate Odighizuwa’s influence on the field and, potentially, his standing among the league’s top defensive tackles. If his projected statistical improvements materialize, Odighizuwa could be rated considerably higher by NFL evaluators after the conclusion of the 2025 season.
The Broader Significance of Odighizuwa’s 2024 Performance
Osa Odighizuwa’s 2024 season underscores a broader challenge in the NFL: the balancing of measurable production with subjective perception when assessing player value. His case illustrates how on-field statistics such as quarterback pressures and sacks may not always directly translate into ranking recognition, especially when factors such as team success, player size, or playing style influence evaluations.
As analysts, scouts, and executives increasingly appreciate diverse defensive roles and the importance of versatility, players like Odighizuwa, who combine athleticism with technical skill, may receive growing acknowledgment. The forthcoming season under Matt Eberflus presents a prime opportunity for Odighizuwa to demonstrate why he deserves to be recognized as one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Osa Odighizuwa good?
A. Odighizuwa rarely misses tackles and performs his duties well, but he’s not exceptional at stopping the run. His abilities are more aligned with rushing the passer. If he improves his skills in this area, he could become a top defensive tackle in the NFL.
Q. Does Osa Odighizuwa have a brother?
A. Odighizuwa has shared that he faces challenges with depression. His younger brother, Osa, thinks these mental health problems led to his early retirement.