3 Cowboys Defenders on Thin Ice With Mike Zimmer's New Personnel Plans

1. Osa Odighizuwa, DT

No player seems to be in more danger due to this new philosophy than Osa Odighizuwa. A third-round pick from UCLA in 2021, Odighizuwa is another 3-tech who can get after the quarterback with his speed but isn't known as an excellent run defender.

Odighizuwa has had more success when it comes to getting to the signal-caller than the aforementioned Chauncey Golston, but he too has the problem where he gets pressure but doesn't complete the play. In three years, he has just nine sacks with three coming in 2023.

He did record 14 pressures and had nine tackles for a loss but at some point, he needs to break out. If not, he could find himself on the chopping block, especially considering his size. The fourth-year pro is listed at just 6-foot-2 and 280 pounds which is thin for a defensive tackle.

There's some hope that Mike Zimmer will put Mazi Smith back at the 1-tech but if not, he could take some of the snaps from Odighizuwa — and offers much more size, coming in at over 300 pounds even after the ridiculous weight loss request from Quinn.

If Dallas were to land T'Vondre Sweat, they might pair him and Smith. Or they could look to add a larger 3-tech in the draft with Byron Murphy (297 pounds), Ruke Orhorhoro (294 pounds), Kris Jenkins (299 pounds), and Maason Smith (306 pounds) all being in play.

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