The Buffalo Bills, sitting at an impressive 4-0 and the only undefeated team in the AFC, are riding high as one of the NFL’s elite squads through the first four weeks of the 2025 season. Alongside the Philadelphia Eagles, they stand as the league’s last unbeaten teams. However, despite their early success, a glaring issue threatens to derail their Super Bowl aspirations: their run defense. Allowing a league-worst six yards per carry and ranking 31st in rushing yards allowed (657 yards, just one yard shy of the Chicago Bears), the Bills must address this vulnerability as the physicality of the season intensifies in October. While Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently suggested the Bills could target Dallas Cowboys’ defensive tackle Mazi Smith as a trade deadline acquisition, this move might not be the answer. Instead, Buffalo could stun the NFL with a bolder, riskier gamble on another Cowboys talent—one whose potential remains untapped and whose acquisition could redefine their defensive front.
The Bills’ Run Defense Dilemma
Buffalo’s defensive struggles against the run have been evident since Week 1, when Derrick Henry exploited their front seven, even with star defensive tackle Ed Oliver in the lineup. The absence of Oliver in subsequent games has only exacerbated the issue, and the impending return of Larry Ogunjobi from his six-game suspension (with two games remaining) may not be an immediate fix. Ogunjobi, who has yet to play a snap this season, could need time to shake off rust, leaving the Bills in a precarious position as they face a grueling stretch of games against physical, run-heavy opponents.
While young defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker have shown promise, they alone cannot plug the gaps in Buffalo’s porous run defense. The Bills need an infusion of talent to stabilize their front, but trading for Mazi Smith, as Knox suggested, might not be the wisest move. Smith, a former first-round pick, has underwhelmed in Dallas, amassing just 54 tackles in 34 games and 848 defensive snaps. His lack of impact on one of the league’s worst defensive units raises red flags about his ability to transform Buffalo’s run defense. The Bills don’t need another project; they need a game-changer.
The Sleeper Move: Targeting Micah Parsons’ Former Teammate
Instead of pursuing Smith, the Bills could make a jaw-dropping move for another Cowboys defensive talent: Osa Odighizuwa. The fourth-year defensive tackle, often overshadowed by the Cowboys’ high-profile stars like Micah Parsons (before his trade) and now Kenny Clark, has quietly developed into a versatile and disruptive force. Odighizuwa, a 2021 third-round pick out of UCLA, has shown flashes of brilliance with his ability to penetrate backfields, stop the run, and pressure quarterbacks. In 2025, he’s recorded 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss through four games, proving he’s a rising star on a struggling Dallas defense.
Why Odighizuwa? Unlike Smith, who remains a developmental prospect, Odighizuwa is a proven commodity with the physical tools and football IQ to make an immediate impact. At 27 years old, he’s entering his prime and brings the kind of veteran presence Buffalo needs to complement Sanders and Walker. His ability to play multiple techniques along the defensive line makes him an ideal fit for Sean McDermott’s scheme, which thrives on versatility and aggression. Moreover, with the Cowboys’ defense in disarray and their season spiraling, Dallas might be open to trading Odighizuwa for the right price, especially as they prioritize rebuilding around younger talent and their new addition, Kenny Clark.
Why This Gamble Could Stun the NFL
Acquiring Odighizuwa would be a bold statement from the Bills’ front office, signaling their all-in mentality for a Super Bowl run in 2025. While the cost of such a trade could be steep—potentially involving a second-round pick or a combination of mid-round picks and a rotational player—the payoff could be monumental. Odighizuwa’s ability to collapse pockets and disrupt running lanes would address Buffalo’s most pressing defensive weakness, allowing their high-powered offense, led by Josh Allen, to play with a lead and force opponents into predictable passing situations.
The move would also send shockwaves through the league, as few teams expect the Bills to target a player of Odighizuwa’s caliber over more publicized names like Smith. His relatively low profile makes him a true “sleeper” acquisition, but his production suggests he’s on the verge of breaking out as one of the NFL’s premier interior defenders. Pairing him with Oliver (once healthy) and Ogunjobi could create a formidable defensive front capable of neutralizing even the most potent rushing attacks.
The Risk and Reward
Of course, this gamble isn’t without risks. Trading for Odighizuwa would require the Bills to part with valuable draft capital, and there’s no guarantee he’ll immediately solve their run defense woes. Integrating a new player midseason always carries challenges, particularly in terms of scheme fit and chemistry. Additionally, the Cowboys might be reluctant to part with Odighizuwa, given his recent production, unless the Bills present an offer too good to refuse.
However, the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. Odighizuwa’s skill set aligns perfectly with Buffalo’s needs, and his acquisition would signal that the Bills are serious about contending for a championship now, not later. With Josh Allen playing at an MVP level and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Bills can’t afford to let their defense hold them back. A bold move for Odighizuwa could be the missing piece that propels Buffalo to the Super Bowl.
As the trade deadline looms, the Buffalo Bills have a golden opportunity to address their run defense and cement their status as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. While Mazi Smith might be a tempting target for some, his lackluster performance in Dallas makes him a risky bet for a team with championship aspirations. Instead, the Bills should set their sights on Osa Odighizuwa, a versatile and disruptive defensive tackle whose addition could transform their front seven. By making this sleeper move, Buffalo could stun the NFL and position themselves as the team to beat in the AFC. The clock is ticking, and the Bills’ bold gamble could be the key to unlocking their full potential in 2025.