Don't forget, the 49ers traded for a big defensive lineman, too
SANTA CLARA – So about that trade for a defensive lineman to help dethrone division-rival Seattle …
No, the other trade. Not the one that gifted Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.
Osa Odighizuwa won't ever be confused for Garrett, but the 49ers are convinced their feeble pass rush will improve thanks to Odighizuwa's interior work.
"There's obviously a reason we brought Osa in here, a guy on the inside that's won at a very high level throughout his career," defensive line coach Kris Kocurek said.
"Every defense is looking for an interior pass rusher. They're very difficult to find. When you have an opportunity to add one to the mix like an Osa-caliber, you're going to do it."
The 49ers did it in March, surrendering a third-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys, who had a surplus of starting defensive tackles after last season's trades for Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark.
Odighizuwa, after five seasons in Dallas, understandably wasn't too jazzed about moving clubs, only a year after the Cowboys gave him a big extension (four years, $80 million).
"I don't think anyone enjoys getting that phone call, especially on a random afternoon," Odighizuwa said of his trade.
"It took me a while but initially I knew everyone was excited to have me," Odighizuwa added. "That made me feel better. I'm very much wanted, very much needed."
The 49ers accrued a league-low 20 sacks last season, greatly hindered after ACL injuries took out starting defensive ends Nick Bosa in Week 3 and Mykel Williams in Week 9.
Don't expect an All-Pro interior presence last seen by a 49ers' defensive tackle since DeForest Buckner and Justin Smith.
Kocurek's praise wasn't couched, however.
"If you leave him one-on-one, he's going to make you pay. He's going to be in the quarterback’s lap, sacking, hitting," Kocurek said. "Osa's proven throughout his career he's around the quarterback a lot. He can win, he can beat guards. Put him one-on-one and he can win at a high level."
Odighizuwa (6-foot-2, 294 pounds) has 17 career sacks, none more than 4 ½ in a season (2024). He's started 76 of 84 games played since 2021 as a third-round pick out of UCLA.
"Adding a guy that can win inside should drastically help the entirety of the pass rush," Kocurek said.
"I was in an attack front last year," Odighizuwa said. "Being in an attack front marries up, and adding a little bit of a different scheme to it, it'll be really good. Raheem's got some things that are just going to bring it to life."
Odighizuwa impressed new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris through the offseason program with his work ethic, energy and leadership ability. More will be gleaned once pads and full-contact drills are permitted in training camp come late July.
"He hasn’t gotten a chance to really prove anything, none of us have," Morris said. "He’s embracing his environment that he’s in and really loving it and being around his coaches."
The 49ers have changed their starting defensive tackles each of the past few years. Jordan Elliott (Titans) and Kalia Davis (Browns) left in March, a year after Javon Hargrave (Vikings) and Maliek Collins (Browns) left.
Starting alongside Odighizuwa figures to be Alfred Collins or fellow 2025 draft pick C.J. West, who has made strides in terms of power and flexibility this offseason. Collins hasn't practiced while recovering from shoulder surgery.
A strong rookie crop is also in play, with fourth-rounder Gracen Halton and the undrafted tandem of Bryson Eason and James Thompson Jr., not to mention last summer's undrafted gem in Sebastian Valdez.
One defensive tackle more than any other is looking forward to the 49ers' Nov. 15 game – at Dallas.
"I love playing at AT&T (Stadium) and it's against a good team. It's going to be a fun one," Odighizuwa said.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.