Former second-round pick will see increased role
Azeez Ojulari has been a forgotten man for the New York Giants with Brian Burns having joined Kayvon Thibodeaux to form the team’s edge defender duo this season. That changed on Wednesday with the news that Thibodeaux had wrist surgery and will miss some time.
When the locker room opened after practice and Ojulari was spotted standing at his locker, reporters made a beeline for the Giants’ 2021 second-round pick.
That, of course, is because it is Ojulari who stands to benefit the most from Thibodeaux’s absence. As a sub-package player used mostly in pass rush situations this season, Ojulari has played just 114 defensive snaps (37%). That number should go up substantially until Thibodeaux returns.
“I’m always excited to take the field no matter what opportunity I get,” Ojulari said. “Whether starting or not, I’m always excited to be out there and help this defense win or whatever it is, contribute anyway, always.”
Ojulari said he is approaching Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals the way he approaches every game.
“I feel like I prepare every week the same, no matter what it is,” he said. “Just come out here, try to work, get better. Execute the game plan every day. Compete at practice daily and just take it one day at a time.”
Ojulari is in the final year of his rookie contract. Whether he wants to admit it or not — and, he doesn’t — Thibodeaux’s injury provides Ojulari a window to make some money on a contract for 2025 and beyond. Whether that is with the Giants or elsewhere.
“I just feel like I’m here every day preparing every single day,” Ojulari said. “No matter what it is, I’ll be ready to go out there and just perform to the highest level, execute the game plan and do my job.”
Head coach Brian Daboll expressed confidence in Ojulari.
“Azeez has been good for us,” Daboll said. “He’ll be important if Kayvon’s not there.”
Star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence texted Ojulari to tell him “it’s his time.”
“I don’t think Azeez is a dropoff,” Lawrence said. “He’s very capable on his own. He’s done it for a while. Now he’ll get more reps to go prove himself.”
Ojulari was a star at Georgia, with 14.0 sacks over his two full seasons with the Bulldogs. He had 8.0 sacks in his rookie season with the Giants. Injuries limited him to just 18 of a potential 34 regular-season games over the past two seasons, and the Giants made the offseason mega-trade for Burns.
Part-time player has been a different for Ojulari, who is still only 24 years old. He isn’t complaining.
“I come in every day and try to execute one day at a time,” Ojulari said. “Whatever it is I’ve got to do when I step out there on the field. I try to give it my all, try to make a play, make an impact.”
The biggest benefit for Ojulari is that after two years of soft-tissue injuries he has been healthy going all the way back to OTAs.
“It’s a blessing when you can go week to week and be out there every time,” Ojulari said. “You’re not missing no games, thank God, every day. It’s a blessing to be out there every week competing with the guys, my brothers, my teammates out here, trying to get a win.
“It’s just good when you build that callous all summer, OTAs, you just build up and build up the reps. You need that for sure.”
The Giants need Ojulari now.
