Defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia detailed what he's most excited for as a member of Christian Parker's defense in 2026.
The Dallas Cowboys' defense will once again be headlined by the interior duo of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, but the rest of the 2026 personnel has seen changes from the year prior.
Christian Parker leads a unit that hopes to turn things around from a league-worst scoring defense in 2025. With rookie Caleb Downs, free-agent grab Jalen Thompson and trade acquisition Dee Winters as serviceable newcomers, there is optimism that Dallas can return to playoff form.
Among those pursuing those goals will be defensive tackle Otito Ogbonnia, who agreed to a one-year contract with the Cowboys in early March after spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ogbonnia sat down with SB Nation's Blogging The Boys to discuss various aspects of his new home and the team's aspirations under Parker's scheme.
Ogbonnia On Getting Acclimated with Defensive Staff
Under Parker, the Cowboys' staff features defensive line coach Marcus Dixon and consultant BT Jordan. Ogbonnia noted similarities in the staff's general mindset and preferences to his time with the Chargers.
"Being in LA under Brandon Staley, who is obviously coming from the [Vic] Fangio tree, obviously, you can expect to see similar things in the scheme, it’s actually a defense I know pretty well. Obviously, the terminology is different, but I think with CP and coach MD, they see me just playing all around, all along the front.
Ogbonnia detailed how this particular philosophy best suits a player of his style, making his match in Dallas seamless on paper.
"I think that’s the thing about these types of defenses, at least in my experience, I’ve always been in this kind of scheme," he said. "It definitely requires a certain body type for certain players. In my opinion, the way we look to play in this defense, the defensive line can be significantly different from other teams or other schemes. There’s a lot more pressure on you to hold your own in this scheme. Whether it be doubles, or there’s a lot of plays that need to be made with just two guys on the defensive line, or even by yourself."
Where Ogbonnia Sees Himself Fitting Best Along Defensive Line
Ogbonnia referenced his versatility as a factor in how he'll earn snaps this season.
"That’s always been one of my biggest pros in the NFL. I’ve played every position, the Houston native said. "You go back on my tape, I’ve had success at every spot, whether it be the 0, the 3, the 4i, 5, I’ve even played the 6, over the tight end. So they just see me playing all around and rotate wherever I’m needed."
He also noted how Clark has been "one of best true nose tackles for a long time." Ogbonnia called Williams an "game-wrecker" in the 3-technique.
When it comes to scheme vs. player, Ogbonnia sees them working hand in hand, which gives us insight into how the Cowboys built around Parker's vision for the team.
"It’s a two-way street. It’s not one or the other," Ogbonnia said about finding players that fit or molding them into a scheme.
"Obviously, if you can get the complete player, you get the complete player, but I think one thing you notice is some guys have a certain type of production in one scheme, but he may have much better production in another, and that’s how you can tell who’s made for what. A lot of it is like, how can somebody play into this? How does the scheme play into someone’s strengths? Some schemes are built for certain body types and vice versa."
On How Cowboys Will Improve From Last Season
Of course, Ogbonnia wasn't a member of the 7-9-1 Cowboys from last season, but he knows where the team's weak points were. He believes Parker will spark a new level of play in the front seven.
"My opinion is always going to surround a bunch of space and vertical seams," he said. "If you look at the Cowboys tape from last year, they got a ton of penetration, but it’s tough when you create a bunch of seams because the running back has a lot of options. Versus condensing space and being able to rally guys to the football. It’s tough when you have a lot of space, because you might have won your gap, one-gap, one-man type of stuff, you might have done your job, but those type of defenses really, really drag on that particular player who want to make that play."
He also pointed to how second-year coach Brian Schottenheimer has been intentional with the team this offseason in the limited time they've had together thus far.
"You can tell with Schotty, with how he operates is very team first, team oriented. Very player led type of space for him, and the players react very well to that," Ogbonnia said.
"We react very well to those types of coaches and you can feel it with everyone. You feel it from the special teams, you feel it from [Nick] Sorenson, you feel it from CP, you feel it from Schotty. It’s one of those things that makes you feel like you want to be a part of it. It makes you feel happy to be here."
