Raiders: UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa on Day 2 would be intriguing
Drafting UCLA’s Osa Odighizuwa on Day 2 could help the Las Vegas Raiders’ efforts in retooling their defensive line.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been busy trying to revamp their defensive line this offseason via a series of transactions. In theory, the unit’s already better on paper with Yannick Ngakoue’s arrival, however, more’s needed. Adding a defensive line prospect should be on the team’s to-do list later this weekend.
The former UCLA product, Osa Odighizuwa could be a steal if available on Day 2 for the Raiders.
Odighizuwa is a bit undersized at six-foot-two and 279 pounds for a traditional defensive tackle. Nonetheless, he has noteworthy explosiveness and speed that served him well as a Bruin. In 37 games, Odighizuwa put those strengths to use, accumulating 11.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for a loss.
What he lacks in traditional size, he makes up for in length, particularly his arms, and imposing lower body strength. Pro Football Focus also took note of Odighizuwa’s pass-rushing potential, grading him 77.4 in that area.
What would the Raiders be getting in Odighizuwa?
The former Bruin’s biggest strength going into the NFL will be his ability to stop the run. Picking up a strong run-defender in the second round would be a huge win for the Raiders. The team needs to get better in this department after getting gashed in 2020, though bringing back Johnathan Hankins will help.
Odighizuwa’s spin move is a thing of beauty while possessing his explosiveness should translate into the NFL if placed in the right alignment. He showed in college he will aid the Raiders in stopping the run. Per PFF, he totaled 51 run stops over the last three seasons.
While stopping the run will be beneficial, working on Odighizuwa’s pass-rushing will make him a more complete defensive lineman as NFL teams will try to see where along the line he’ll work best. He did have 52 hurries in his collegiate career along with the 27.5 tackles for a loss so he can definitely cause havoc.
That impressive leg strength and the spin move helped him get to opposing quarterbacks in the Pac-12.
An explosive and powerful run defender with pass-rushing potential and noteworthy upside, this would best describe Odighizuwa. He might struggle at first with the Raiders as he finds the best-suited position but would be under proven coaching in Rod Marinelli and Gus Bradley.
