NFL Draft 2021: Azeez Ojulari Scouting report of NY Giants’ 2nd-round pick
The NY Giants chose Georgia pass rusher Azeez Ojulari with the No. 50 overall pick in the second-round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night, one day after adding a weapon to Daniel Jones’ arsenal by adding wide receiver Kadarius Toney No. 20 overall.
Ojulari might be an ideal fit for Patrick Graham’s defense, and is one of the premier pass rushers available in this year’s NFL Draft class.
The NY Giants and Dave Gettleman traded back in a deal with the Miami Dolphins, and landed one of the premier players available on Day 2, a player that fills an immediate need, and a player they could have chosen at No. 42, while collecting a 2022 first-round draft pick to do it.
Last season, Ojulari produced nine sacks and generated 28 total pressures for the Georgia Bulldogs, as Pro Football Focus gave him a 90 overall grade.
What makes Ojulari such a great fit for Graham’s defense, is that he can thrive standing up as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 front, or put his hand in the dirt as a 4-3 defensive end in obvious passing downs.
Across three seasons, Ojulari produced 14 total sacks, 42 hurries, and 74 pressures, the kind of disruption that the NY Giants’ defense has ranked in recent years.
One of the steals of the entire NFL Draft, Ojulari was listed as Sports Info Solutions’ second-ranked edge-rusher, and produced true pressure on 25 percent of his defensive snaps, the outlet says.
Here’s a look at scouting reports of Azeez Ojulari, the NY Giants’ selection in the second-round of the 2021 NFL Draft:
"Fully grown 3-4 outside linebacker with NFL-ready strength and impressive explosiveness. Ojulari is better in pursuit than he is as an edge setter, but he is quick to slide off a block and either make a tackle or accelerate to pursue in space. His ability to attack pulling blocks and shut down potential running lanes was fun to watch against Alabama. He has quality rush burst with loose limbs, but has a limited number of rush moves. Ojulari hasn’t learned to set up blockers yet. The strength, football character, explosiveness and athleticism all get check marks, but he won’t reach his potential until he cultivates his pass-rush talent and learns to stay separated from the punch."
"PROSFirst step that puts fear in OTs. Always a threat to get to the edge.Surprising pop in his hands. Swats down punches with ease.Arguably the best cornering ability in the class. No problem getting low.Timing and rush plan are tremendous. Keeps offensive tackles off-balance.CONSSo slight for the edge. No power aspect to his game.Not the guy you want playing head up or inside a tight end.Too easily taken off the ball when linemen get clean engage.One-year wonder that was almost always fresh. Didn’t play more than 52 snaps in any game."
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL