ESPN: A gifted breakthrough star is about to leave the Cowboys in free agency.

ESPN: A gifted breakthrough star is about to leave the Cowboys in free agency.

Dallas Cowboys' Osa Odighizuwa's good play could price him out of Dallas -  Blogging The Boys

After being selected in the third round out of UCLA, Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has spent his four seasons in Dallas doing essentially all the franchise had hoped he would. He has participated in almost every game imaginable, and despite his poor start, he has progressively grown to become one of the league’s top pass rushers at his position.

As a rookie, Odighizuwa had a grade of 46.9, placing him 89th out of 108 linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. He scored 68.2 in his second year, ranking 41st out of 127. He placed 19th last year with a 77.0 grade, breaking into the Top 20. Despite being 24th overall this season, he has the eighth-best pass-rush grade in the NFL (79.0).

Since Odighizuwa is scheduled to become a free agent after this season unless Dallas signs him to an extension, he is a logical candidate for a long-term contract for a Cowboys club that has refused to pay its defensive lineman and has paid a price for it.

Osa Odighizuwa Ranked As a Top Interior Defensive Lineman by PFF for 2024  NFL Season

Osa Odighizuwa Has Been Playing His Best Lately
At the Cowboys analysis site Blogging the Boys, though, they’re scared that Dallas won’t improve its ways on how it handles with defensive lineman, and it might mean that Odighizuwa is playing his last season with the Cowboys.

As the season draws to a close, Odighizuwa is playing his finest game and producing some quality video for other teams in need of assistance at the position. And there are plenty.

According to BtB, “Odighizuwa may be able to command a deal around $5 to $7 million annually given what he’s done this season and the steady progression in his play. If he finishes strong in the final three games, he could be looking at double-digit numbers per year. As good as it is for him, it may be the opposite for Dallas.” Cowboys Salary Cap Will Be an Issue, Again

Year 2 outlooks for Dallas Cowboys 2021 draft class: DT Osa Odighizuwa -  Blogging The Boys

With Dak Prescott signed for four years at $240 million, CeeDee Lamb for four years at $136 million, and edge rusher Micah Parsons expected to sign for $35 million annually, the Cowboys already have an expensive top half of their squad. Those three could receive half of the Cowboys’ salary cap.

That will make it tough to work out sensible deals for the other 50 players, especially if Odighizuwa does not agree to an extension and can put his services out to the highest bidder. At barely 26 years old, he undoubtedly will draw offers.

In addition to setting a new career best in sacks (he now has 4.0), Odighizuwa has already established a career record with 22 quarterback hits this season (he had 35 in the three seasons prior). Even if he’s improving, the Cowboys will probably still let him play.

“Teams will come when Odighizuwa hits the market.” Notes from BtB. “Teams that consider themselves contenders will be willing to pay him well for his services because he is reliable against the run and keeps linebackers clean.”

 

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