Osa Odighizuwa could end up being the San Francisco 49ers’ best offseason acquisition. The 49ers traded a third-round pick to select a third-rounder from the 2021 NFL Draft who has lived near the top of the NFL in interior pressures.
Odighizuwa joined former 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman on his podcast to discuss why he joined the 49ers and much more. Odighizuwa believes Raheem Morris’s scheme will play to his strengths:
“I just kind of like the way we’ve installed the things that we’re doing, the identity
that these kind of established, and we’re establishing as we’re going about this, and you know, I’m excited. I feel like getting some handcuffs taken off of me a little bit, to be able to be able to kind of have one of the better years that I’ve had against the run, if not the best year that I’ve had. I’m looking forward to just being able to make plays within this scheme.”
According to Next Gen Stats, Odighizuwa recorded the highest run-stuff rate of his career last year at 4.6 percent. Through Week 15, his nine run stuffs were tied for the 10th-most among all defensive tackles. He had five more to end the season while maintaining a strong pressure rate.
What has to be encouraging for the 49ers is that Odighizuwa’s production, like tackles for loss and quarterback knockdowns, didn’t take a step back in 2025 despite rushing the passer around 70 fewer times.
Now, Odighizuwa will bring that talent to a team he believes he can help continue making playoff runs:
“Definitely want to make the deep playoff run, bro, and get to the dance. I want to get that ring for sure. Being on a team that’s been in two of the last [seven Super Bowls] is very hopeful going into the playoffs. I think they made it to the second round of the playoffs with a bunch of guys hurt, you know what I mean?”
Odighizuwa went four straight seasons without missing a game. His availability is exactly what the 49ers need at the position. Now, without having to worry about losing playing time to newly acquired players, Odighizuwa will have an opportunity to have a career year in a situation he’s never been in: Playing for a contender with high expectations.
Odighizuwa believes he can still get better as a pro: “For the past five years, I haven’t scratched the surface of the player that I am, you know what I mean? It hasn’t been put on full display, so I just plan on putting that on display.”
There will be plenty of playing time for Odighizuwa to display his talents and potential on the 49ers this season.
