Osa Odighizuwa

Career StatsA-

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		84	17.0	216	40
2025		17	3.5	44	7
2024		17	4.5	47	9.5
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Osa Odighizuwa delivered the kind of production that earns a C+ Contract Value Index relative to the DT pay band. At $20 million AAV on a four-year deal, he's squarely in the mid-tier defensive tackle market—above replacement-level starters but below the elite interior anchors commanding $25M+ annually. His 2025 season of 44 tackles and 3.5 sacks across 17 games qualifies as solid starter-level contribution: meaningful production without the gaudy numbers that justify top-dollar contracts. At 27 years old and five seasons into his career, Odighizuwa is in his prime window, and the 49ers are clearly betting he'll elevate into that upper echelon on a new team with a defensive system tailored to his strengths—a gamble that Kyle Shanahan's public enthusiasm suggests the organization believes is worth the investment. The tension between the CVI grade and his glowing media narrative is real: the coverage is running ahead of the tape, framing him as a transformational addition when his actual on-field output has been that of a capable starter, not a franchise cornerstone. That said, the four-year structure gives San Francisco reasonable flexibility to see if the new environment unlocks another level of play before the deal becomes immovable cap weight.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Osa's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Osa Odighizuwa has developed into one of the more disruptive interior defenders in the NFC, earning a strong A- grade entering his fifth season. After 84 career games, he carries the credibility of a proven rotational force who can impact games in multiple phases. Among 4-3 defensive tackles, he profiles closer to a high-end starter than a complementary piece. His calling card this season is pure quarterback disruption — his 1.35 QB hits per game nearly triples the NFL average of 0.29 and comfortably surpasses the elite threshold of 0.91. His tackles per game (2.59) and TFL rate (0.41) both sit meaningfully above league averages of 1.82 and 0.27, respectively. Sack production at 0.21 per game remains modest relative to elite pass rushers, suggesting his pressure doesn't always convert to finishes. His trajectory tells an encouraging story — grades of B- in 2023, B+ in 2024, and a B this season reflect a player who peaked last year and is working to recapture that level consistently. Think a younger version of what Grady Jarrett provided Atlanta — a technician who wins with leverage and first-step quickness rather than raw athleticism. If Odighizuwa can sharpen his sack conversion rate, an A-range ceiling is well within reach and sustainable long-term. --- **Word count check:** Let me recount... That's slightly over structure. Let me compress the third paragraph. His trajectory grades of B- in 2023, rising to B+ in 2024, signal genuine development. If sack conversion improves to match his elite pressure rate, a sustained A-level grade is realistic.

How Osa Compares at the Position

Osa Odighizuwa ranks 12th of 216 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Osa between Chris Jones (A-) just ahead and Daron Payne (A-) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

San Francisco adds a quality defensive lineman to bolster its pass rush arsenal immediately. Multiple outlets praised the acquisition, highlighting it as a savvy offseason move for the defense. Odighizuwa's proven production and youth signal the 49ers upgraded their interior line significantly. Fans view the trade as a rivalry statement, gaining Dallas depth while strengthening themselves. The move should yield immediate starter-level contributions in San Francisco's defensive scheme.