Dallas Cowboys: Is Owamagbe Odighizuwa a pass rush solution?

By Stephen Forsha | Apr 23, 2015

With the recent suspension handed down to the newest Dallas Cowboys pass rusher, does that mean “America’s Team” will have add yet another pass rusher with their upcoming first round pick of the 2015 NFL Draft?

Free agent signing Greg Hardy was suspended the first 10 games of the 2015 season by the NFL on Wednesday due to off the field issues. The Cowboys knew this was a possibility when they signed the Pro Bowl caliber defensive end this offseason, and the suspension might have been even greater than they imagined.

With Hardy on the sidelines for over half the upcoming season (pending his appeal), and with Demarcus Lawrence as the other top defensive end pass rush option, the Cowboys should forgo their cornerback and running back need in the opening round, and try to repair their pass rush to their best of their ability.

One player who might still be on the board when the Cowboys draft in the first round is UCLA defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa.

Before we get into what he can or can accomplish, here is what he did at the NFL Combine in February:

• 40-yard dash: 4.62
• 20-yard dash: 2.69
• Bench Press: 25 times (225 pounds)
• Vertical Jump: 39 inches

Now for the projected late first- to early second round selection, just where does the 6-3, 267 pound defensive end fit in if drafted by the Cowboys?

Nov 9, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jeremy Mincey (92) and safety Barry Church (42) sack Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) in the second quarter of the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Their current defensive end depth chart consists of eight players: Kenneth Boatright, Jack Crawford, Tyrone Crawford, Lavar Edwards, Ben Gardner, Hardy, Lawrence and Jeremy Mincey.

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Besides Lawrence and Hardy none of the others listed really do much for the need of the pass rush for the Cowboys, though Mincey did have six sacks last season.

Losing Hardy for all but six games really hurts the Cowboys, but having Lawrence possibly on the roster for all 16 games this season (he missed nine games with an ankle injury in ’14) will be huge for this team.

Lawrence in the regular season had nine tackles (six solo) and no sacks. Lawrence did come around in the playoffs with two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble, so there is great potential there since he obtained those playoff stats against the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

That aforementioned depth chart and stats brings us to the reasoning the Cowboys need a pass rusher in the first round, and that’s coming from someone who believes the Cowboys have great problems at cornerback as well.

In drafting a player like Odighizuwa they would not only be obtaining someone who is 6-3, 270-plus pounds, but be adding a player who in the past four seasons totaled 12.5 sacks in his collegiate career, and 136 tackles (24.5 for loss) with eight passes defensed.

Odighizuwa’s final collegiate season consisted of 61 total tackles, including 41 solo and 11.5 for loss, plus a career-high six sacks in 13 games.

Jan 21, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa of UCLA (54) runs through defense drills during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBS Sports wrote this of Odighizuwa in December:

"“On some passing downs, Odighizuwa does stand up as an edge rusher and has a chance to show off his skill-set as a pass rush threat, using his natural bend and athleticism to beat blockers in space.”"

That shows though he can stop the run, he has the ability to be a pass rusher as well, and that versatility can only make him that much better of a pro. Yes, he played in a 3-4 defense at UCLA, but being that he’s able to be versatile, there shouldn’t be a problem for him playing in a 4-3 defense either. In fact, he might become an even better player in a 4-3 scheme.

According to Bob Strum of DallasNews.com, in a draft profile this week on Odighizuwa, he said he could help the Cowboys if Hardy was suspended, which we all know he was.

"“Sturm wrote: (Odighizuwa) fits their profile quite well. The 23-year-old raised in Nigeria is a prototype 4-3 strong-side defensive end who is stout against the run and can turn the corner and get to the quarterback.”"

Though the Cowboys need help at cornerback desperately, the Hardy suspension really puts a dent in their “improved” pass rush, so not having the former pro bowler on the field until their 11th game of the season will hurt the Cowboys’ defense.

Drafting a player like Odighizuwa might be the smartest decision, plus it would give the Cowboys two young defensive ends who could progress in the game at the same time in Odighizuwa and Lawrence.

This first-round selection for the Cowboys is a complete mystery because depending on how the board shapes up once their 27th overall selection arrives, speculation will be high because they can go a variety of ways on the board, though defensive end pass rusher might have just taken over as their biggest need.

Next: Cowboys: Smart to avoid Peterson trade

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