Azeez Ojulari was the biggest steal of the 2021 NFL Draft

Azeez Ojulari was not supposed to fall to the second round of the NFL Draft.

When the New York Giants drafted him with the No. 50 overall pick this April, it was hard for the powerful linebacker to not feel a little disappointed. Once a surefire first-round pick, Ojulari thought he had quieted concerns over a high school ACL tear by playing nearly every snap during his final two years at Georgia. He was wrong.

“I didn’t go on Day 1 liked I wanted to, but it’s all good,” Ojulari said after the draft. “I’m blessed to be a Giant, so I just can’t wait to get to work. At the end of the day, you get there and prove yourself and show them you can play in the league.”

The ACL tear did not prevent Ojulari from posting an SEC-leading 9.5 sacks last year, and it did not prevent Giants general manager Dave Gettleman from landing may what may be remembered as the biggest draft steal of 2021.

Ojulari was ranked as Pro Football Focus’s fourth-best edge defender before the draft, and some analysts even had him ranked first. He ended up as the seventh one selected. Even better, Gettleman netted a 2022 third-round pick by trading back eight spots to draft him.

“We got a third round pick in ’22 and picked up Azeez Ojulari, who we are really thrilled to get,” Gettleman said at the time. “He’s an edge pass rusher. He’s instinctive. He’s very bright. He plays hard, and he’s got pass rush ability and he’s also a solid run player. We’re really thankful to get him.”

A medical examination in Indianapolis days before the draft reportedly revealed signs of arthritis in his right knee, weakening Ojulari’s stock at the last minute. However, those concerns may have been overblown. Ojulari did not miss so much as a practice while at Georgia, and renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews confirmed in a separate examination that Ojulari’s knee was perfectly healthy.

“I don’t know where the knee thing comes from. I really don’t,” Gettleman said after the draft. “You guys know [Giants athletic trainer] Ronnie Barnes does as good a job as any trainer in the league and he’s been doing it for years. We had no concerns with that.”

Ojulari is also a locker room leader with a genuine passion for football. He is known for going all-out on every snap and rushes the passer with a physicality that should be beyond his 240-pound frame. That is likely what made him attractive to the Giants and Head Coach Joe Judge, who emphasizes playing high-octane and mistake-free football.

His dedication was on display earlier this year during the Peach Bowl. Many of Georgia’s starters sat out with their draft stock already set in stone, but Ojulari started and played the best game of his career. His two fourth-quarter sacks led Georgia to an 11-point comeback against Cincinnati. He finished the day with three sacks and four tackles for loss.

Assuming he can stay healthy, all sings point towards Ojulari becoming a perennial Pro Bowler in New York.

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