Big Blue View
Could the Giants be on the verge of dealing Ojulari?
The New York Giants are reportedly “shopping” edge defender Azeez Ojulari, according to the latest intel from Diana Russini of The Athletic.
Russini writes that, according to her sources, the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals are expressing some level of interest in Ojulari.
It’s a poorly kept secret that the New York Giants, sitting in last place in the NFC East, are shopping young edge rusher Azeez Ojulari. Teams that are keeping an eye on the 24-year-old include the Falcons, Cardinals and Bengals. The Giants are already paying Brian Burns and spent a top-five pick on Kayvon Thibodeaux, so with Ojulari set to hit free agency after the season, GM Joe Schoen is trying to get something in return for him now.
It would be an interesting move for the Giants to deal Ojulari to the Falcons, considering the two teams will play on Dec. 22nd. However, considering the Falcons have just six sacks on the season and Ojulari has had 5.0 in the last three weeks could drive negotiations.
Russini adds later in her report that the Bengals are very interested in adding help at cornerback or an edge defender to play opposite Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson currently accounts for seven of the Bengals 12 sacks. Ojulari had a monster game against the Bengals, with 4 tackles, 2 for a loss, 2 QB hits and 2.0 sacks, which would be enough to catch anyone’s eye.
She also notes that the Giants have taken calls from the Cardinals with respect to Ojulari, and that Arizona is also expressing interest in Tennessee Titans pass rusher Arden Key. The Cardinals have 15 sacks on the season, but sit atop the NFC West.
Ojulari is one of two Giants commonly discussed as potential trade pieces at the deadline, along with receiver Darius Slayton. Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network has previously reported that the Giants would have to be “blown away” to move Ojulari or Slayton. That the Giants are both making and fielding calls regarding Ojulari, who can be a free agent at the end of the season, could suggest that there’s an appreciable market for a 24-year-old pass rusher.
The fact that Russini makes no mention of Slayton anywhere in her report could indicate that there is either little interest in the receiver, or that the Giants have rebuffed inquiries.
