San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch during an NFL game.
The Maxx Crosby 49ers conversation got fresh life on Wednesday, March 11, after Baltimore’s blockbuster trade for the Raiders star fell apart following Crosby’s physical. But if San Francisco is looking for a more realistic move right now, the cleaner play may be Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. The timing matters because the NFL’s new league year opens Wednesday afternoon, and the 49ers’ need for interior pass rush help remains obvious.
David Lombardi has pointed 49ers fans toward that angle, and the logic is straightforward: Crosby is the bigger name, but Odighizuwa may be the more attainable target. San Francisco has already reportedly called Dallas about a potential Odighizuwa trade, according to reporting relayed Wednesday, while the Cowboys are said to be taking inquiries on him as their defensive line gets more crowded.
Key Points
Maxx Crosby’s Ravens trade was voided after a failed physical, putting him back at the center of NFL trade chatter.
The 49ers have reportedly contacted Dallas about Osa Odighizuwa.
Odighizuwa would address San Francisco’s bigger roster need: interior pass rush.
David Lombardi
A lot of focus on Maxx Crosby given the shocking news, but 49ers fans should be keeping an eye on Osa Odighizuwa:
-We know SF is willing to spend for a much-needed pass-rushing DT (JFM) -49ers have reportedly contacted Dallas on Osa re: a potential trade -Osa ranked #5 in
David Lombardi Suggests the 49ers Could Look at Osa Odighizuwa
This is where the fit starts to look more than theoretical. Odighizuwa is 27, under contract through 2028, and carries a 2026 cash payout of $16.75 million with a cap hit of $20.75 million. That is significant money, but it is still far easier to absorb than swinging big draft capital and premium salary for Crosby while medical questions linger.
There is also a coaching link worth watching. San Francisco added Matt Eberflus to its defensive staff this month after his 2025 run as Dallas’ defensive coordinator, giving the 49ers firsthand insight into Odighizuwa’s role, usage and fit. In a story like this, that kind of staff connection matters because it can shorten the evaluation process and make a trade target feel less speculative.
From a production standpoint, Odighizuwa checks the box San Francisco should prioritize. He posted 52 pressures in 2025, which ranked sixth among interior defenders on PFF, and ESPN’s 2025 win-rate rankings placed him among the better defensive tackles in run-stop efficiency as well. He is not just a space-eater; he is an interior disruptor, which is the exact type of player who can make life easier for Nick Bosa on the edge.
Maxx Crosby 49ers
The Crosby angle is still understandable. He is the star, and Wednesday’s shocking twist instantly reopened the “who should call Las Vegas now?” conversation. But the same news that revived trade chatter also underlined the risk: Baltimore backed out because Crosby failed his physical after knee surgery, and the Ravens immediately pivoted to Trey Hendrickson instead. That is a flashing warning sign for any team thinking about an all-in move.
For the 49ers specifically, Odighizuwa may line up better with both need and price. San Francisco can justify spending for a pass-rushing defensive tackle if the player changes the front, and Odighizuwa has the profile to do that without requiring a Crosby-sized splash. He would strengthen the interior on obvious passing downs, create more one-on-one opportunities for Bosa, and give the 49ers a younger multi-year piece instead of a riskier headline chase.
Why Osa Makes More Sense for San Francisco Right Now
This is the practical football case. The 49ers do not just need another name; they need interior juice. Odighizuwa gives them a proven pass-rush presence inside, a familiar evaluation path because of Eberflus, and a contract that at least looks tradable. That is why this feels like more than random rumor churn on a busy league-day morning.
What happens next? San Francisco’s next move likely depends on whether Dallas views Odighizuwa as expendable or merely expensive. If the Cowboys keep listening, the 49ers have a path to solve a real roster issue without diving headfirst into the uncertainty of the Maxx Crosby market.