49ers' plan for defensive line after landing Osa Odighizuwa couldn't be clearer

The San Francisco 49ers pulled off a massive coup of a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, landing standout defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa at the cost of a mere third-round pick.

At 27 years old, and with a nearly injury-free history, the pocket-wrecking force is going to be a vital impact player for coordinator Raheem Morris' defensive line, and one can't help but think Morris had a bit of a say in the Niners executing the transaction.

Either way, San Francisco's plan for building its D-line this offseason is evident now. Odighizuwa is a clear upgrade over the now-departed Jordan Elliott, who's off to the Tennessee Titans, and the former's addition still doesn't get in the way of the 49ers' most recent high-profile D-line draft investments from a year ago, Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins.

So, exactly how will the Niners use Odighizuwa, and how does he fit into their D-line depth chart?

Osa Odighizuwa's use in 49ers' base defensive formations

Morris likes to use a 5-1 "penny" defensive front, typically walking a linebacker down toward the line of scrimmage. But, for the sake of simplicity, let's assume the standard 4-3 base.

• Weakside DE: Mykel Williams
• DT: Alfred Collins
• DT: Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. West
• Strongside DE: Nick Bosa

Williams' recovery from last year's ACL tear is a bit of a wild card, but the intent is for him to be on the outside as a run stopper on base downs where he's already atop his game. Bosa, too, is recovering from an ACL tear but is expected to be back by Week 1, and he's already free to swap sides of the formation depending on matchups.

Collins, a good run stopper in his own right, was also a beneficiary of Elliott's departure and figures to take on a more prominent role in year two.

Odighizuwa, a decent run defender, might be in rotation with West, who's more of a traditional 1-technique nose tackle who hasn't quite cracked the two-down role just yet.

How 49ers use Osa Odighizuwa on passing downs

Odighizuwa is far more impactful as a pass-rusher, even though his 17 sacks over five seasons won't convince the boxscore folks. Think more of a pocket-wrecking presence instead of a sack specialist.

Considering the Niners likely spend more time in passing sets than in their base defense, Odighizuwa will have plenty of chances to earn his money trying to collapse the pocket.

• Weakside DE: TBD
• DT: Mykel Williams
• DT Osa Odighizuwa
• Strongside DE: Nick Bosa

Collins was the winner on first and second downs, but Odighizuwa's arrival could've meant Huff would be a winner for strict pass-rushing sets.

Except Huff's sudden decision to retire a day after the trade now opens a gaping void opposite Bosa, one that'll likely get filled via a bargain free-agent pickup or through April's draft. Either way, that'll help move Williams inside on passing downs.

Had Odighizuwa not arrived, leaving all other options the same, the 49ers would have either been forced to rely on Collins' raw pass-rushing efforts while frequently having to leave Williams on the outside where he's not quite refined as a pass-rusher.

It's an ideal addition that doesn't come at the expense of cutting into the Niners' top two draft picks from a year ago, nor does it increase the liability against the run in favor of better defending the pass.

Ideal indeed.