The Green Bay Packers saw monumental success signing a former New York Giants draft pick, and may look to see if history can repeat itself in the coming months.
Safety Xavier McKinney, a former second-round pick of the Giants, became an All-Pro for the first time in his career during a stellar 2024 campaign, his first in a Packers uniform.
But, as free agency looms, and Green Bay sets out to bolster one of the league’s most inconsistent pass rushes, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the Packers could look to another former Giants pick to turn things around up front.
Is Azeez Ojulari a Packers Fit?
As free agency approaches, SBNation suggests Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari could be an ideal fit and undervalued free agent target for the Packers.
“Ojulari was a second-round pick out of Georgia (hello, Packers) back in 2021,” they write. “And ended up setting a Giants franchise record for sacks by a rookie with 8. His usage has dipped since his rookie season, due in part to a couple of stints on IR, along with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns becoming the main duo for the Giants. Make no mistake, though, Ojulari can play (when he’s healthy). He recorded 6 sacks in 11 games this season, as well as a fumble recovery. Due to the injury history, I don’t know that he’ll command a crazy amount of money. It might be worth it to the Packers to see if they can try and bring him to Green Bay.”
Ojulari, 24, was chosen by the GIants in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and despite seeing his role decrease in recent years, still has posted 22 sacks to this point in his career.
When healthy, Ojulari is a disruptive playmaker, and this past season Pro Football Focus points out that he produced 22 quarterback pressures despite largely playing behind Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, while battling various injuries.
Unlikely to break the bank, Ojulari could be the type of player who thrives in a new system, especially with emerging talent such as linebacker Edgerrin Cooper also joining him in rushing the passer and an emerging secondary making life more difficult for opposing quarterbacks.
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