The New York Giants have been busy this offseason, looking to improve their roster after a franchise-worst 3-14 campaign in 2024—especially on the defensive side of the ball. From signing defensive ends Chauncey Golston and Roy Robertson-Harris to adding cornerback Paulson Adebo, linebacker Chris Board, and Pro Bowl safety Jevon Holland, the Giants' defense looks significantly better heading into 2025.
After enduring a season where New York’s secondary struggled mightily, the additions of Adebo and Holland, in particular, are major upgrades to a unit that frequently showed its youth and inexperience. Even though Big Blue also bolstered its pass rush alongside Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Dexter Lawrence by bringing in Golston and Robertson-Harris, one of their top pass rushers from the last few seasons remains a free agent and is viewed as a top target across the league.
Bleacher Report names Azeez Ojulari as a top remaining free agent
In an article for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox named pass rusher Azeez Ojulari as the No. 2 remaining free agent on the open market. Knox also listed the Las Vegas Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles as two of the best landing spots for the former Giants edge rusher.
“Azeez Ojulari hasn’t been a full-time starter since his rookie season, and he isn’t as accomplished as some other edge rushers who are set to be available. However, he’s a solid rotational pass rusher who has flashed top-tier potential and won’t turn 25 until June,” Knox wrote.
After the publication of the article, the No. 1 remaining free agent was signed by the Giants. That player was Holland, meaning Ojulari is now dubbed the top free agent remaining, according to Knox.
The Giants drafted Ojulari in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and he made quite an impression in his rookie season. He finished the 2021 campaign with eight sacks, setting the all-time Giants record for sacks by a rookie. However, his production took a significant hit over the next two seasons, as multiple stints on injured reserve in 2022 and 2023 limited him to just eight sacks combined over those years.
The 24-year-old did bounce back in 2024, recording six sacks—the most he has posted since his standout rookie season. There were also reports last season that the Giants explored trading Ojulari, though no move ever materialized.
Ojulari may have had an up-and-down four years in the NFL, but he remains a highly coveted free agent. While it’s still unclear where he’ll land, one thing is certain: the former Giants pass rusher will make any defense better.