Giants' best-kept secret on pace to breakout in 2023
The New York Giants' defense is still a work in progress. But while there are obvious upgrades needed in the secondary, the same can't be said for the defensive front. And one of the players along that front is getting a ton of attention. But something tells me that after this year, everyone will know […]
The New York Giants' defense is still a work in progress.
But while there are obvious upgrades needed in the secondary, the same can't be said for the defensive front.
And one of the players along that front is getting a ton of attention. But something tells me that after this year, everyone will know his name:
EDGE, Azeez Ojulari
Ojulari burst onto the scene his rookie year in New York, recording eight sacks and 49 tackles in his inaugural NFL season. The bendy rusher looked to be a steal, falling to the Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
But then the sophomore slump hit Ojualri, by way of injury. He only started in five games, yet he produced 5.5 sacks across those games, proving invaluable to the Giants' pass rush.
So the production is proven, and the potential is through the roof. All Ojulari has to do to become regarded as one of the better edge defenders in the league is stay on the field.
That's easier said than done, but it doesn't mean Ojulari isn't doing his best to prove durable this fall:
“Azeez is moving around really well,’’ Giants outside linebacker coach Drew Wilkins told reporters at last month's mandatory minicamp. “He worked really hard in the offseason. We have a really great strength program, really great trainers. He put together a great plan — there are areas he can attack things differently."
And that is often a big learning curve that young players have to make. High school and college ball were like a dog chasing a squirrel. No stretch, no warmup, just get up and go. But it doesn't work like that in the league. Azeez is learning that and taking the steps needed to be in better health.
If he proves successful, the league better watch out.
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Featured image via: © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
