Who will be NY Giants’ biggest rookie contributor in 2021?

Can NY Giants second-round pick Azeez Ojulari step up and become a leader of the defense as a rookie in 2021? 

The NY Giants’ rookies played more downs than any team in the NFL last season in 2020, and could see key contributions from this year’s incoming draft class in 2021.

Struggling with up and downs they all came on as the year progressed and look to be become regular contributors this year.  While last year’s Giants rookies will not most likely reach the number of plays they had last year, but the NY Giants do have a few rookies that can come in and contribute quickly.

The first three draft picks the NY Giants made in this year’s draft all could easily compete for a lot of reps.  There is one, however, that I believe can make a huge difference on this team.

NY Giants general manager Dave Gettleman Dave Gettleman, as it was well known was not a trade up or down artist when it came to the Draft.  Gettleman shocked everyone by trading down in round one, then did the impossible by trading down again in the second round.  At pick number 50 sat Azeez Ojulari, a 6’2″ 249lbs outside linebacker.

Ojulari was touted as a possible top 20 pick, but had some medical “red flags” for a degenerative knee condition. An ACL injury his senior year in high school, but never missed a game in two seasons at Georgia. The NY Giants felt very comfortable with their own assessment and scooped him up.   An NFL ready pass rusher with tremendous speed, Ojulari can come in and help a pass rush that was not very effective last year (save Leonard Williams 11.5 sacks).

Ojulari is strong, explosive, and once he picks up the subtle nuances of pass rushing by adding some moves to his repertoire, he could on the path to stardom.

While a good run defender straight on he will need to learn to be a better edge setter, but has the raw speed to chase the play down.  4.6 speed, 26 bench presses, and a 30-inch vertical show what an athlete he is; and the reason the Giants felt compelled to not pass him by.

I believe Ojulari comes in to week one as the starter opposite of Lorenzo Carter.  With some coaching and real NFL play the Giants could have the steal of the draft in Ojulari.