San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton, a fourth-round draft pick, was already familiar with his new teammate, Osa Odighizuwa, before arriving in Santa Clara. As he prepares for the 2026 season, Halton hopes to learn from the veteran defensive lineman and incorporate traits that have made him successful.

"Yeah, just one of the guys that adds equity, so, been watching him for quite a while," Halton said of Odighizuwa in April. "He's explosive and can get off the ball to make plays."


On Wednesday, Odighizuwa had the opportunity to share his own assessment of the rookie defensive tackle.

"Grayson's quick," Odighizuwa told reporters. "That boy's get-off is actually really good. He moves really well for someone his size, so it's just cool to see."

While Odighizuwa is expected to start along the interior of the 49ers' defensive front, Halton is working to prove he can become a valuable rotational contributor. The rookie joins a defensive tackle group that includes second-year players Alfred Collins and CJ West, both of whom made significant contributions during their rookie campaigns in 2025.

Odighizuwa also praised West's development heading into his second NFL season.

"I feel like he's improved a lot," Odighizuwa said. "Coach was actually showing some tape this morning from last year to this year. So, just seeing the improvement, the way he's moving, the flexibility, the bend that's just been added to his game, and the power that he brings, just adding that little piece is going to [help him] take a huge step this year, I feel like."


The 49ers' decision to sign Odighizuwa could pay dividends beyond his on-field production. In addition to bringing an established playmaker to the defensive line, the veteran is embracing a leadership role and helping mentor the team's younger players.

"I would say it definitely puts me in a position to be able to teach some people, show guys how I do things, and more of a leadership position, just because there's a lot of guys that are young and they're willing to learn," Odighizuwa said.

"I've always been someone that tries to lead by example. So, just being able to speak on that, show them how I got to where I'm at, and just different ways that they could help their game in any way, just based off what I know and my experience."

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