Azeez Ojulari

New York Giants selected Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari with 50th overall pick in 2021 NFL Draft

by

In the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the New York Giants have selected Georgia edge rusher Azeez Ojulari at pick 50 overall. This selection was made after the Giants traded down from the 42nd overall pick with the Miami Dolphins. The Giants moved down eight spots and added Miami’s 2022 second-round pick.

After moving down in the second round, New York filled a major need at edge rusher with Azeez Ojulari. The Giants snagged a player that was frequently projected as a late first-round pick. However, some concerns over a previous knee injury pushed him down draft boards.

The Giants gained tremendous value in round two, drafting a player considered to be a first-round talent while also adding an additional future third-round pick. Azeez Ojulari is a speedy edge rusher with the juice and bend off the edge to get after quarterbacks.

In 2020, Azeez Ojulari was a menace off the edge for Georgia. Ojulari had 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss along with 4 forced fumbles. New York needed a new pass-rusher off the edge and they met their need with exceptional value in Azeez Ojulari.

The New York Giants could be in love with Jaelan Phillips, but he comes with major concerns

by
new york giants, jaelan phillips

By all indications, the New York Giants feel strongly about this year’s pass rush class. While most believe that the 2021 NFL draft has a weak presence at edge rusher, the Giants have spent plenty of resources sending front office personnel to evaluate the options available with the 11th overall pick. In fact, they might be trying to eye a trade down, gaining value while also adding one of the best pass rushers on the board to their defense.

During a press conference on Thursday afternoon, general manager Dave Gettleman stated that he has considered trading down in the past, despite history telling us otherwise. He simply said that the value presented was not worth making a move, which forced him to stay put and make his original selection.

However, if the Giants really are enamored by one specific pass rusher in this class, there are two options that make the most sense. The first is Georgia stand-out Azeez Ojulari, who is a bit undersized but fits the Giants’ scheme to perfection as an outside linebacker. Alternatively, Miami’s Jaelan Phillips is also a stud who can play in the five tech and as a stand-up outside linebacker in the 3-4r base scheme.

Phillips is quite an incredible prospect but comes with serious baggage that could influence where he is drafted in just under a week. At 6’5″ and 258 pounds, Phillips is a former five-star recruit who has suffered a significant number of concussions, including ankle and wrist injuries. At one point, he accrued as many as four concussions in one season, which forced him to retire from football, but once he returned to health, he joined Miami and completely dominated in 2020. He posted 45 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, and eight sacks.

What would the New York Giants be getting in Phillips?

Phillips was not only one of the best edge rushers in college football, but minus his concussion issues, he might be a top 10 selection this year. With his versatility and ability to adapt to any scheme, he makes the most sense for the Giants, who love to get creative and utilize base packages and nickel formations. In the nickel, the Giants would use four down linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs. While a player like Ojulari might thrive as a stand-up pass rusher, Phillips can do both, making him more advantageous as an every-down pass rusher.

While I do believe he would be the ideal fit for the Giants’ scheme, especially with a reliance on man coverage next season after the acquisition of Adoree Jackson, the concussions represent a major concern. There is a belief that a few more concussions could result in him developing serious headaches, which could make his future in the NFL problematic. We’ve seen what concussions can do to players in the past, especially with sterling Shepherd, who was forced to miss months of football.

If the Giants evaluate Phillips and find that his medical checks out clean, he wouldn’t be as much of a risk at the NFL level, especially after learning better fundamentals and ways to avoid taking shots to the head. I do think he has the most upside of any pass rusher in this draft class, but ideally, he would be acquired in a trade-back scenario, not at 11, especially with elite prospects on the board with a minimal injury history.

New York Giants could be targeting EDGE Azeez Ojulari in first round

by
new york giants, azeez ojulari

The closer we get to the 2021 NFL draft, the more I feel the New York Giants will draft an edge rusher in the first round. While the Giants sent upper management to evaluate the top pass rushers in this year’s class, I estimated that they are targeting one with the 42nd overall pack or trading up into the first round to grab one of their preferred options.

However, there are a few players that could be in a conversation at 11, and one of them is Georgia edge rusher Azeez Ojulari.

What do the New York Giants see in Azeez?

Ojulari is arguably the top pass-rushing prospect in the 2021 draft class, but he lacks the ideal size at 6’2” and 249 pounds. Nonetheless, he has stellar pass rush moves and great speed off the line of scrimmage. In fact, he reminds me slightly of Osi Umenyiora, who was only slightly bigger than Ojulari during his playing days. The elite speed he has from the snap of the football to getting after the quarterback is what makes Azeez such an exciting young player.

Last season, the Georgia stand-out tallied 9.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss, including three sacks in the Peach Bowl — the biggest stage of his young career. While he might lack the ideal length for a 3-4 outside linebacker, I don’t believe that will be a primary issue, as his arms extend beyond 34 inches, which only Gregory Rousseau, Jason Oweh, and Joe Tryon can match from the top options this year.

Ultimately, the Giants ranked 40th in sacks last year, an exceptional number based on who they had available on game day. With Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines going down early in the season, the Giants were forced to utilize Carter Coughlin and Jabaal Sheard predominately. Getting back Carter and Ximines will be fantastic, but adding another option like Ojulari would upgrade the unit enough to feel confident about having a top-five defense.

However, selecting him with the 11th overall pick might be a bit overzealous, especially with sure-fire talent likely to be on the board. Taking a guarantee over a player with upside seems like a more efficient move. Nonetheless, the Giants don’t really seem bothered by traditional BPA strategies and prefer to take their own approach toward building a roster.

Todd McShay’s mock draft has New York Jets taking a QB/LB

by
New York Jets

Todd McShay’s third mock draft has the New York Jets addressing both sides of the ball through their first-round pair.

The latest projections from ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has the New York Jets addressing their issues on both sides of the ball. In his third mock draft, the Jets would pick BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick while using the latter pick on Georgia linebacker Azeez Ojulari with the 23rd choice obtained from Seattle.

With the selection of Wilson, McShay noted in his analysis that he not fully decided on whether the Jets should let Sam Darnold go. He simply believes that no matter who owns the No. 2 pick, which could be shifted in a trade, the holders will choose Wilson.

“The logic here stands from my last mock draft: I expect Wilson to be the No. 2 overall pick, whether or not it is the Jets making it,” McShay says in his analysis available to ESPN+ subscribers. “Projecting this pick isn’t necessarily suggesting they should or will move on from Sam Darnold, but if they do, Wilson is the obvious next move. If they don’t, watch for a QB-needy team to trade up to take him here. Wilson is creative and can extend plays, he can hit the deep ball and his toughness in the pocket stands out.”

With the pick owned through the Jamal Adams trade, McShay has the Jets addressing their edge rushing situation. Ojulari led the SEC with 9.5 sacks last season and earned the defensive MVP award in January’s Peach Bowl with three quarterback takedowns in Georgia’s 24-21 victory over Cincinnati on New Year’s Day.

“They need someone who can get home on the QB besides Quinnen Williams,” McShay says. “Ojulari is a pass-rush specialist of sorts, showing good speed, bend, and first-step quickness.”

McShay notes that conventional wisdom dictates that the Jets should probably try to land an offensive weapon for their new quarterback, but he says that there are other avenues to replenish those areas.

“As for the lack of playmakers on offense to support Wilson, keep an eye on free agency this month and then Day 2 at the draft,” he said. “Numerous high-end receivers and running backs will be available.”

In McShay’s previous mock, he had the Jets indeed stocking up on offensive talent, using the 23rd choice on Clemson rusher Travis Etienne.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags