There is always extra zest from a fanbase when a player from the state’s most beloved college football team joins the state’s professional football team. There is much more to Azeez Ojulari’s background that makes him the most exciting defensive free-agent signing in Atlanta. An edge rusher who has proven to get after quarterbacks will be welcomed to any unit. While Ojulari has battled injuries over the course of his career, there is plenty of reason to take a one-year chance on him.
Ojulari set the
Giants’ record for most sacks by a rookie in 2021. His quick first step and relentless motor made him a handful for opposing tackles to contain. Unfortunately, his early success has been derailed by injuries, which have limited him to playing no more than 424 snaps since his rookie season. Utilizing the former second-team All-SEC edge rusher in a rotational role could put him in a position to be the disruptor that made the Eagles sign him last year.
Christian Harris and Da’Shawn Hand got their share of acknowledgement as players who can make a major impact. They haven’t quite had the peaks of high performance that Ojulari had with the Giants. After losing Leonard Floyd and Arnold Ebiketie, the defense desperately needed reinforcements off the edge. Ojulari and Samson Ebukam will have opportunities to cause havoc on a defense that knows how to disrupt opposing offenses, led by a cerebral defensive coordinator.
