In his very first preseason game, New York Giants rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari beat the brakes off of New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton.
If his performance was a sign of things to come, the Giants got an absolutely steal on Ojulari, who was selected in the second round of April’s draft (No. 50 overall). He could be a legitimate difference-maker for Patrick Graham.
For that reason, it should come as little surprise that in a recent breakdown of pivotal rookies, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pegged Ojulari for the Giants.
Kadarius Toney might have been the Giants’ first-round pick, but he’s dealt with issue after issue over the last few months. Meanwhile, Ojulari is beginning to make his mark. Edge rusher Oshane Ximines just recently was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list and has just five career starts to his name, so the opportunity is there for the taking. Ojulari can compete for starting reps and bolster the overall depth of a quality front.
Regardless of the snaps given to Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, Ojulari is going to factor in. And as he becomes more adept in stopping the run, his role will only increase.
The Giants have lacked a game-changing edge rusher since Jason Pierre-Paul was last in town and while the team hopes to see development from both Carter and Ximines, Ojulari already seems destined to take over that role.
