2. OLB Azeez Ojulari
One player who is disappointed with the Giants is outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. The 2021 second-round pick was a highly-touted prospect out of Georgia and had a great rookie campaign with the Giants, but he has suffered several injuries over the last two seasons. Unfortunately, Ojulari's struggles to stay healthy have lowered his value, making him a trade candidate before the season starts. While Ojulari is still young, it seems unlikely the Giants will trade him because he does provide depth, but his inability to stay healthy lowers his value significantly.
Ojulari showed much promise as a rookie, recording eight sacks, which set an all-time Giants record for a rookie, surpassing B.J. Hill, who recorded 5.5 sacks in 2018. Many believed he would continue to trend upward. While he had a strong rookie campaign, injuries sidelined him the last two seasons, as he has only played 18 games.
Now, with a crowded pass-rushing department, there may not be room for Ojulari if he doesn't stay healthy or impress throughout training camp. There is still time for Ojulari to turn his career around, which would make the Giants' defense even more elite, but the window is closing. Like Simmons, Ojulari will have to compete to earn a role or may find himself in the Giants' practice or even in a different locker room in 2024.