The acquisition of premier edge-rusher Brian Burns by the New York Giants doesn’t indicate they are looking to trade Azeez Ojulari. Instead, the outside linebacker, who was picked 50th overall in the 2021 NFL draft, still has a role to play with the team, although his playing time will be significantly reduced with Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux in the starting lineup.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic discussed Ojulari’s future following Burns’ arrival from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for draft picks. According to a league source, the Giants have no plans to trade the 23-year-old Ojulari, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. Having a third edge rusher with 16 sacks over the past three seasons provides the Giants with much-needed depth in that position.
Despite the potential for Ojulari to remain part of the pass-rush rotation in new coordinator Shane Bowen’s defense, there are concerns about his playing time during a contract year. This is mainly due to the durability of Burns and Thibodeaux, who have been workhorses on the field, playing a significant percentage of defensive snaps in previous seasons.
Ojulari’s size and role as a pass-rush specialist might limit his opportunities on the field, especially with Burns and Thibodeaux being preferred options on passing downs. However, there are suggestions that Ojulari could add weight to his frame to handle larger offensive linemen, potentially allowing him to contribute more effectively.
Alternatively, Bowen could utilize Ojulari as a standup rusher on third downs, attacking different gaps along the defensive front. This would require Ojulari to avoid further injuries, as his injury history has been a concern in the past.
The addition of Burns underscores the Giants’ desire for a blue-chip pass-rusher who can create quick pressures and disrupt opposing offenses. With Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence II also in the mix, the Giants have a formidable defensive front that can wreak havoc.
While Burns’ arrival may limit Ojulari’s playing time, he still holds value as a backup option, especially with potential moves involving veteran edge-rusher Jihad Ward.
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