Cowboys Lineman Osa Odighizuwa Wins Dallas Most Improved Award
In this story:
We love it when a plan comes together.
A year ago, Dallas Cowboys coaches whispered to us that defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa would follow up his good 2021 rookie season with something next-level in 2022.
That first year he earned valuable playing time, combining for 21 tackles, logging two sacks and six stuffs. His performance helped pact Dallas' pass rush throughout the season, starting 12 games and logging 616 defensive snaps.
And now, just two years later, the plan has come to fruition as Odighizuwa has been named as the Cowboys' most improved player for 2022 by Pro Football Focus.
Heading into his second season with the team, Odighizuwa was expected to challenge for a notable role at the 3-tech position. Building off his strong rookie season, the UCLA product consistently demonstrated greater consistency and comfort in Dallas' defense.
Odighizuwa collected 43 total tackles (eight, for loss), finishing the season with a missed-tackle percentage of only 2.3. He also doubled his sack total from two sacks (in 2021) to four sacks in 2022.
The 24-year-old tackle was especially impressive in applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks, especially down the stretch. In addition to his four sacks, Odighizuwa concluded the regular season having logged 11 pressures and and five quarterback knockdowns. He also earned a sack on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the divisional round of the playoffs.
While his individual statistics were not particularly eye-catching, Odighizuwa played a notable role in helping a dominant Dallas defense in 2022 — which collectively notched 54 sacks, while finishing tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for the highest pass rush win rate in the NFL at 52 percent.
With such fearsome defenders such as linebacker Micah Parsons and edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence under contract, Odighizuwa has earned the right to be considered a reliable and potent weapon for coordinator Dan Quinn’s defense in the coming year.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?
America's Team ALERT! Get your Dallas Cowboys game TICKETS from SI Tickets ... here!
Follow FishSports on Twitter
Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook
Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live-stream podcasts and reports!
