Cowboys Trade DT Osa Odighizuwa to 49ers for 2026 Third-Round Pick

The Dallas Cowboys have traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall), a deal confirmed by multiple outlets and team insiders.

ESPN reported that "the Niners acquired Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa in exchange for a 2026 third-round pick (No. 92 overall)."

ESPN

Sporting News relayed the initial breaking report: "'BREAKING: The Cowboys are trading DT Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers, multiple sources tell me,' Schultz wrote."

TheScore also reported the transaction, stating, "The Dallas Cowboys are trading defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2026 third-round pick," noting league coverage of the move.

San Francisco pursued Odighizuwa to address a glaring deficiency on the defensive line after the 49ers finished last in the NFL in sacks and ranked near the bottom in pressures and pass rush win rate in 2025.

ESPN noted that "At last month's NFL combine, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch left no doubt that bolstering the pass rush, particularly on the defensive line, was his team's top offseason priority," and detailed the team's poor pass-rush metrics: "San Francisco finished last in the NFL in sacks (20), 31st in pressures and 29th in pass rush win rate (29.2%)."

Sporting News

Sporting News emphasized the fit, writing "San Francisco has a glaring need at defensive tackle, and Odighizuwa will patch that hole,"

theScore said the 49ers were among teams "rumored to be calling the Cowboys about their starting defensive tackle," underlining why San Francisco moved.

Odighizuwa brings interior pass-rush production and availability that appealed to San Francisco: ESPN reported he had "just 3.5 sacks but, among defensive tackles, he ranked first in quarterback hits (23), fifth in pass rush win rate (10%) and 20th in pressure rate (5.7%)" in 2025 and that "Over the past five seasons, Odighizuwa ranks fourth in quarterback hits (81) and 10th in pass rush win rate (11.5%) among defensive tackles."

“The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers pulled off a trade on Wednesday involving defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa”

Sporting News

Sporting News highlighted his durability and role, noting "The UCLA product has played all 17 games for four straight seasons and is a terrific pass rusher from the interior,"

theScore described how he was sought after by callers before the trade: "The 49ers were among the teams that were rumored to be calling the Cowboys about their starting defensive tackle."

Contract and cap details shaped the trade: ESPN outlined Odighizuwa's recent deal and the financial impact, writing that "Last March, the Cowboys signed Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal that included $39 million fully guaranteed at the time of signing and $52 million guaranteed overall," and that "Dallas will absorb $16 million in dead money while opening $4.75 million in salary cap space."

ESPN also noted contract timing with San Francisco: "For the Niners, Odighizuwa is under contract through 2028 with base salaries of $16.25 million (fully guaranteed) in 2026 and $20 million in each of the following two seasons."

ESPN

Sporting News' coverage of the trade and the Cowboys' depth helped explain why Dallas could move a recently extended player, noting that "The Cowboys' defensive tackle room is stacked, as Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams are the starters, leaving Odighizuwa as the odd man out,"

theScore's note that he "became expendable with Dallas boasting a surplus of talent at the position in Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and the newly signed Otito Ogbonnia."

The trade changes the front-seven outlook for both clubs: Dallas sheds a high-profile interior rusher to a crowded defensive tackle group while San Francisco adds a player expected to "step into a significant role" alongside their young interior pieces.

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ESPN anticipated his role in San Francisco, writing that "He is expected to step into a significant role on San Francisco's defensive line, where he joins second-year tackles Alfred Collins and C.J."

Sporting News

Sporting News underlined the fit and availability, calling him "a terrific pass rusher from the interior,"

theScore noted Dallas' depth at the position that made the move possible, pointing to "Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and the newly signed Otito Ogbonnia."