FRISCO, Texas — One of the biggest and more befuddling issues facing the Dallas Cowboys this offseason was the position of defensive tackle, particularly heading into a free agency that threatened the loss of Osa Odighizuwa. And while re-signing Odighizuwa was a massive feather in their cap, combining nicely with the signing of Solomon Thomas, things were still far from resolved heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
Odighizuwa and Thomas make for a potent rotation at 3-tech (right of center), that much is true, but what of 1-tech (left of center) — where former first-round pick Mazi Smith is looking to take a Year 3 leap with not much artillery behind him?
Enter Jay Toia and Tommy Akingbesote, two big-bodied interior linemen selected in the seventh round, but who both have the potential to become known for far more than being a simple flier pick.
"I think I'm going to be a great fit over [in Dallas]," said Toia. "My play style, high volume I play, and looking forward to learning from the vets, guys like Osa."
And, given his UCLA film that shows his ability to not simply be an anchored gorilla versus 100 men, but also the athleticism to mow through those men, the former Bruin understands his primary assignment on a Cowboys' defense that has routinely struggled to stop the run.
"Stop the run," Toia said, standing all of 6-foot-2 and weighing in at a sidewalk-cracking 342 pounds. "I feel like that's one of the biggest reasons I was drafted and that's exactly what I'm going to do is stop the run. That's my biggest strength."
It is indeed one of the largest (insert pun here) reasons he's in a Cowboys' uniform, and the same is true of Akingbesote, a former basketball player who knows how to put his 6-foot-4, 306-pound frame in motion, and with a ton of violence and aggression, at that.
"I bring physicality every time, man," said the former Maryland Terrapin. "I'm a workhorse. I bring physicality. I've got a great IQ, and I'm a winner, at the end of the day. My preparation breeds winning."
"... I take pride in stopping the run, but I'm trying to develop my pass rush, so I'm here to get developed and stop that run."
The onus is now on one of the more heralded defensive line coaches in the NFL, Aaron Whitecotton, to refine, improve and unlock what's inside of Toia and Akingbesote to make them impact contributors for an interior rotation that will also see former seventh-round pick Justin Rogers scratching and clawing for reps against Toia, Akingbesote and others, namely Earnest Brown IV and Denzel Daxon (International Pathway Program).
By the sound of it though, the incoming rookies are ready to start moving others out of their way — be that offensive lineman during reps and/or some of their own compatriots on the depth chart.
"I'm here to win," Akingbesote said. "I want to win a Super Bowl. I'm here to win and get the team better. I want to win a Super Bowl. That's what is on my mind."
That is definitely one Turtle who isn't interested in taking things slow.
