On a day that has already seen the Detroit Lions trade for Za’Darius Smith and the Washington Commanders land Marshon Lattimore, it’s the Green Bay Packers’ turn to make a move.
The Packers don’t typically take big swings at the trade deadline, and Lattimore never seemed realistic, but New York Giants edge-rusher Azeez Ojulari is a player to watch. Former Pro Bowler T.J. Lang revealed the Packers are “going to make a hard push” for Ojulari before the trade deadline.
Why is that significant? Lang was at Lambeau Field as an announcer for the Lions Radio Network on Sunday, so there’s every chance he heard some secrets.
Given their pass-rush depth, the Giants could trade Ojulari, who is a free agent this offseason. And their asking price makes it an easy decision for the Packers.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Giants are asking for a late fourth-round pick or early fifth-rounder.
That’s it?
It should be an absolute no-brainer for the Packers if they can get Ojulari for that price. They would also need to agree to a long-term extension to avoid losing him in free agency, but he’s worth it. Of all the potential last-minute Packers trade targets, Ojulari makes the most sense.
He is only 24 years old and could fix Green Bay’s pass-rush woes long-term.
The Giants have star pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux ahead of him on the depth chart, which could make it difficult to pay him in free agency. New York’s loss would be Green Bay’s gain. With Thibodeaux out of the lineup over the past four weeks, Ojulari has made five sacks, seven quarterback hits, and six tackles for loss.
According to PFF, Ojulari has 21 pressures this season, more than any Packers defender. He also has six sacks, double that of Green Bay’s leader Devonte Wyatt, who has three. And Ojulari achieved that despite only starting four games.
The Packers need to address their pass-rush inconsistency to have any realistic shot at making a deep playoff run in a competitive NFC. Ojulari wouldn’t be a short-term, high-risk move like the Commanders trading for Lattimore. He could start for several years in this defense.
If the Giants make him available for a Day 3 pick, Brian Gutekunst should pick up the phone and refuse to hang up until Ojulari is on a flight to Green Bay.
