2025 Free Agency: Cowboys defender projected as $100 million signing for 1st-year AFC coach
The Dallas Cowboys have a lengthy list of free-agent players who could be just as attractive to other organizations as they are to Dallas. The biggest name on the list might just be defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The 2021 third-round pick doesn’t have a huge number of career sacks, but he’s been a effective disruptor and teams always thirsty for a player with his skillset.
Odighizuwa set his career high in sacks in 2024 with 4.5. His strength has always been in disruption, consistently ranking among the best defensive tackles in advanced analytics. And that will likely make him a top target for at least a handful of teams. Pro Football Focus thinks one of those should be the New England Patriots under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Mike Vrabel inherits a roster that needs a boost at nearly every position group, and New England holds the cap space to do so this offseason. New England’s interior was especially ineffective in 2024, totaling the lowest pressure rate from defensive tackles (7.6%) in 2024. Odighizuwa would be an instant upgrade, having recorded two consecutive seasons with a 78.0-plus PFF pass-rush grade and a 14%-plus win rate.
After a year away from the game, Vrabel landed back in New England where he spent much of his playing career. The former Tennessee Titan head coach took over after Bob Kraft dismissed Jerod Mayo after just one season.
Earlier in this offseason, Odighizuwa ranked No. 30 on Pro Football Focus’ list of top pending free agents. As part of their exercise, PFF finds a previous free agent to compare to. Odighizuwa’s comp is Nnamdi Madubuike, who signed with Baltimore last offseason on a four year, $98 million contract.
Per PFF, Madubuike signed for 9.6% of the 2024 cap. With NFL teams preparing for a 2025 salary cap between $265 million and $275 million, that percentage would put a four-year deal for Odighizuwa’s north of $100 million.
It would also put Dallas in line for a third-round compensatory pick in 2026 if they came out on the plus side of the ledger in free agents lost vs signed.
