Baron Browning traded, Za’Darius Smith expected to move
With the clock ticking toward Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline, the market for New York Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari appears to be narrowing.
The Arizona Cardinals are reportedly trading for Denver Broncos edge defender Baron Browning, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft was has 9.5 sacks in 43 career games. He spent four games on injured reserve this season with a left foot injury.
The Cardinals are reportedly sending a sixth-round pick to Denver.
The Detroit Lions, looking to replace injured star edge defender Aidan Hutchinson as they try to make a Super Bowl run, are expected to acquire edge defender Za’Darius Smith from the Cleveland Browns.
Ojulari, the Giants’ second-round pick in 2021, has 6.0 sacks in nine games this season. He had 8.0 sacks as a rookie, but had injury-plagued seasons in 2022 and 2023. Overall, Ojulari has 22.0 sacks in 44 regular-season games.
After Sunday’s game against the Commanders, Ojulari knew his future was uncertain.
“I haven’t been told anything. I’m just taking it one day at a time…I’m getting ready for next week,” Ojulari said. “This is where I got drafted. Blessed to be here…trying to make the most of every opportunity I get.”
As an illustration of why the Giants are marketing Ojulari, the Broncos signed edge defender Jonathon Cooper to a four-year, $60 million contract guaranteeing him $33 million over the weekend. A seventh-round pick in 2021, Cooper has 18.5 sacks in 56 games.
