FRISCO, Texas — Everyone witnessed opposing offenses impose their will on the ground game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Whether it was an inside zone, outside zone, it did not matter. Teams continuously had career-high days against Dallas, evidenced by the Cowboys’ 31st ranked run defense a year ago. The club addressed the need in the NFL draft, acquiring UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa (75) and Kentucky’s Quinton Bohanna (192). Dan Quinn got his lengthy guys to bolster the interior.
Osa Odighizuwa, a three-year starter at UCLA, primarily lined up at nose tackle in the Bruins’ 3-4 base scheme. The 6’2, 280-pound athlete has the length Quinn covets, with arms measured in at 34 1/8 inches long. He has the position versatility to play anywhere along the line from over the center to the outside shoulder of the tackle. Odighizuwa compiled more tackles for loss (27.5) than game starts (27). He comes with a key draw: former wrestler. Odighizuwa was a three-time state champion wrestler in high school that impacts his pressure, body weight, and leverage in one-on-one matchups at the line of scrimmage. He always works towards the football and possesses stellar first step quickness to get off blocks.
Quinn confirmed following his selection that Odighizuwa will be utilized as a nickel defensive tackle. The team will operate out of a 3-4 base defense (one-gap), with a four-man front (two-gap) in nickel situations. With the league becoming more and more pass-heavy, the nickel will be used 60-70 percent of the time, according to Quinn.
“So, with Osa, we really see him impacting the team as a nickel defensive tackle,” Dan Quinn discussed with media in his post-draft press conference. “And we want to really push him as a rusher. He’s got the traits and the speed to do that. And, so, that’s what his primary spot will be.”
Quinton Bohanna, a four-year starter at Kentucky, Bohanna played as a nose tackle in the Wildcats’ 4-2-5 hybrid scheme. The 6’4, 327-pound athlete also has the desired length, with 11-inch hands and 34-inch arms. He often took on double teams and occupied multiple gaps, creating opportunities for teammates so his stats are not overly impressive (59 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks). Bohanna is a monster inside and thrives in a penetrating, attack styled front. He is a solid anchor in the run game, and he rarely gets moved to the side by blockers.
Quinn described his role with the Cowboys. Bohanna will line up over the center as a zero or one-technique.
“And then with Quinton [Bohanna], we’re going to put him out on the edge as much as we — I’m just kidding. He’s going to be right over the center. Sometimes here, other times right there. But he’s a big guy, he’s got great length, he can really bend. And, so, he’s a nose tackle. So, different spots for those two players [Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna]. And like all the guys: I’m clear on their roles and what they can do, and now it’s up to us to get them to do that spot over and over and over again. That’s how you get good at it.”
Both run stuffers will join a defensive line group consisting of Trysten Hill, Neville Gallimore, Brent Urban, Carlos Watkins, and Justin Hamilton. The Cowboys waived Antwaun Woods on Wednesday.
