FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys continued a busy week of roster maneuvering, trading defensive tackles Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers and Solomon Thomas to the Tennessee Titans. The moves come on the heels of recent acquisitions aimed at bolstering the defensive line, signaling a shift in strategy for the team as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season.
Dallas acquired Odighizuwa from San Francisco in exchange for a third-round pick (92nd overall) in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to reports. Thomas heads to Tennessee for a seventh-round pick, swapping picks 218 for 225. These transactions follow the Cowboys’ earlier additions of Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and All-Pro Quinnen Williams, dramatically reshaping the interior of their defensive line. The team also recently signed Otito Ogbonnia and retained second-year player Jay Toia, while waiving Perrion Winfrey.
Odighizuwa, initially a third-round pick by the Cowboys in 2021 out of UCLA, steadily improved his performance over his first few seasons. He was a First-Team All-Pac 12 selection in college and translated that potential into consistent disruption at the NFL level. Despite adjusting to a new scheme under defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in 2025, he achieved career highs in sacks (4.5), tackles (47), and quarterback hits (23), as reported by multiple sources.
That strong 2025 performance led to a four-year, $80 million contract extension for Odighizuwa in March 2025. However, his production dipped somewhat in the subsequent season as he attempted to find a role within Matt Eberflus’ system, particularly with the arrival of Clark and Williams. He now joins a 49ers team contending for a Super Bowl.
Thomas Returns to Familiar Coaching Staff
Solomon Thomas joined the Cowboys on a two-year deal last year and proved to be a reliable rotational player despite battling injuries during the 2025 season. He now reunites with Robert Saleh in Nashville, and notably, with former Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who now serves as the Titans’ defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach – marking the third time Thomas will play under Whitecotton’s guidance.
The Cowboys will gain a third-round draft pick, a selection they did not previously possess, as a result of the Odighizuwa trade. The team also realizes $4.75 million in cap savings from trading Odighizuwa and an additional $2.5 million from moving Thomas, according to reports. San Francisco will be responsible for $16 million of Odighizuwa’s salary.
These moves demonstrate the Cowboys’ commitment to upgrading their defensive front, even if it means parting ways with players who have contributed to the team. The additions of Clark and Williams clearly signaled a desire for more immediate impact at the defensive tackle position, leading to the decisions to trade Odighizuwa and Thomas.
The Cowboys’ defensive line now features a formidable core, and the team will look to build on this foundation as they prepare for the upcoming season. The draft pick acquired from the 49ers will provide additional flexibility as they continue to refine their roster.
What remains to be seen is how the Cowboys utilize their newly acquired draft capital and whether they will continue to explore further additions to their roster. The team’s performance in the upcoming season will ultimately determine the success of these recent transactions.
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