I'm way, way happy about getting an EDGE guy like Ojulari at #50 PLUS extra draft capital, but if truth be told, I preferred Notre Dame's "Streak of Lightening."
Although JOK and Ossai were also on my short list. I probably would not have traded down from 42 and just drafted Eichenberg. I liked what JOK has shown, but with Peppers on the roster and McKinney as depth I did not see a fit. Ojulari was only in that tier because of injury concerns. Before that, I would have been fine taking him at 20
But I'm not unhappy with taking AO with the trade down. That was a great way to hedge the bet on his health. A future 3rd? Could yield a better player than we got in the 2nd.
Unless he becomes another Troy Polamalu - I definitely didn't want Ojulari at 11 - at 50? sure. But I think JOK has a way higher ceiling and a lower floor - so I guess Ojulari is the safer pick but JOK was a more exciting one.
After adding Miami’s 2022 third-round pick, I would have been happy with any of the players selected between 50 and 53: those two, plus Cosmi and Radunz.
TBH, there really wasn’t anyone taken between 42 and 49 that I preferred to Ojulari. Obviously, there’s some extra risk with the knee. That’s priced in.
JOK is a scheme specific type fit. You can’t build a defense around him we have that player in peppers who’s a much better version. Same exact discussion as Simmons last year but to a lesser extent.
I was thinking he would be a good target if the Giants traded down, and when they did, I figured he would be on the short list of options. They went with Toney, and I thought Azeez was going to be picked up by someone else well before our 2nd round selection. I wasn’t aware at the time of the concerns about his knee.
I was surprised Ojulari was still available when the 2nd round started. And, he kept lingering. I was hopeful he’d still be available at 42, but I was doubtful. Then, they traded down again, which I loved, and I was sure that was it, he couldn’t possibly be available at 50. Beyond thrilled that the Giants were able to ultimately select Ojulari when they did. Incredible value where we got him.
where he had Azeez as his #1, even ahead of Phillips. Watched the tape, saw the fluidity, the explosiveness and different moves, hell yes.
robbie in his thread this AM makes a good point on whether Giants have enough d (DL + OLBs) to stop other teams' running game at the edges. I didn't see a lot of tape of AO against the run, so for starters, he may be more situational than a 3-down guy.
I would have been ok with Paye at 20 as well. The more I looked into Ojulari the more I wanted him and if he does compare to OSI, which some of the Giants former players thought, then all the better. We needed that Edge defender desperately and he seemed to be the best of the bunch.
is his potential impact on Andrew Thomas. They could both support and push each other to kick ass.
My broader opinion is the Giants entered the draft with the need to improve their edge, and while Ojulari may ultimately not be that guy, I don't think any of us can complain with rolling the dice on him as that guy.
At least this seems like the opposite approach to addressing the edge position compared to drafting a Clint Sintim.
I know this has been reference already, but his weight… It baffles me! How can someone hold up at the point of attack as a linebacker weighing only 215 pounds? Apparently he weighed as little as 210 during the season! For a linebacker!
I know some make the argument that he’s more of a joker or wildcard on defense, as the bulk of his snaps came lined up over a TE, or even at CB at Notre Dame, but we saw how that experiment worked last year with Isaiah Simmons.
Not that he won’t be good, but I just think he needs a lot of development and refinement, and he doesn’t have a true position.
at #11. I also probably would have passed at #42. My thinking was that he was a first round talent so his knee injury must be bad if was still available at that pick. COVID - 19 also prevented the Giants from personally examining him. But he was cleared by Dr. Andrews, and the rumor was that the Steelers would have taken him six picks later. So it's certainly understandable that the Giants took him.
I wasn't high on his knee condition or how well he'd stack up against offensive tackles given he's on the small side (in some mock draft guides he's listed as a linebacker instead of an edge rusher). I wanted Carlos Basham instead as a crash end who reminded me of Michael Strahan but the Giants passed on him.
Graham had 5 DBs in on 75% of snaps last season. Georgia also plays a 3-3-5 with AO being the outside linebacker. We essentially have 6 DBs that have starter potential on the roster prior to this draft (when we traded up for another in the 3rd). McKinney, Peppers, and Ryan (who we just re-signed) could all start together with Bradberry and Jackson. Perhaps Holmes instead of peppers on obvious passing situations. This doesn’t even include Love. JOK is a safety in a 3-3-5.
I believe that AO is a better fit and feels a glaring need as both players that started at that position at the beginning of last season missed the majority of the season with injuries (and never were that great to begin with). If the Giants tried to run a 3-3-5 with JOK at a LB position, the defense would be terribly undersized. At a safety position he replaces Peppers who was one of our best performers last season.
10th player on my whole entire big board... Toney was 23rd. When Azeez starts looking like Osi in Blue everyone will say how much they loved the pick then...
Loved JOK. I didn't think either were worthy of the 11th pick.
I don't have a problem with him in the 2nd. Reminds me of another EDGE we drafted in the second round (4 spots higher) in 2003.
I too love JOK'sJOK's game, but as has been mentioned, how do you keep a 215 lb LBer when you already have almost the same player in Peppers?
I love Ojulari. I didnt like the talk of him at 11. I would've been OKAY with him at 20...even though I liked Paye more. At 50 I was going nuts at my parents house.
made a good point about Ojulari. As the Giants defense was currently constructed, they didn’t have hardly any pure edge rushers who can beat a guy 1 on 1 on the outside and get to the QB by himself. A lot of it had to be manufactured. Well - now we have a guy that can there there on his own, and then you also have to deal with Leonard Williams.
Graham had 5 DBs in on 75% of snaps last season. Georgia also plays a 3-3-5 with AO being the outside linebacker. We essentially have 6 DBs that have starter potential on the roster prior to this draft (when we traded up for another in the 3rd). McKinney, Peppers, and Ryan (who we just re-signed) could all start together with Bradberry and Jackson. Perhaps Holmes instead of peppers on obvious passing situations. This doesn’t even include Love. JOK is a safety in a 3-3-5.
I believe that AO is a better fit and feels a glaring need as both players that started at that position at the beginning of last season missed the majority of the season with injuries (and never were that great to begin with). If the Giants tried to run a 3-3-5 with JOK at a LB position, the defense would be terribly undersized. At a safety position he replaces Peppers who was one of our best performers last season.
I got it wrong on the projected top Edge at #11, they were being overvalued ahead of the draft. I was actually right about Ojulari being overrated tho, and that Rousseau and Tryon would go in the 1st round.
I liked his production in the SEC. I liked that his best at the end of the year. Young man showing growth. I preferred him over Paye if we were taking an edge at 11. I like his first step. It has to be honored and we can teach him moves to work off that. That first step isn't something you can teach. You have it or not. He also has legit bend. Knees could be a problem. I love the pick at 50. Crazy good.
RE: I was sold after watching DDiehl's podcast on ERs
where he had Azeez as his #1, even ahead of Phillips. Watched the tape, saw the fluidity, the explosiveness and different moves, hell yes.
robbie in his thread this AM makes a good point on whether Giants have enough d (DL + OLBs) to stop other teams' running game at the edges. I didn't see a lot of tape of AO against the run, so for starters, he may be more situational than a 3-down guy.
He's well-rounded. Not just a rush guy. He has some coverage in him too. Watch Skinner's take on him.
didn't want him at #11/20. I would've picked Tryon or Rousseau at #20, both were reasonable swings for the fences. Ojulari's gonna have his work cut out for him adapting to playing the run in the NFL, especially when they start out running right at him. But I'll grant they targeted him early and reeled him in which speaks well of his pro prospects. Get in the weight room and start getting stronger, young dude.
but not at #11, even before I knew about the medical. I just didn't think he showed enough - like Paye.
So getting him when we did seemed like excellent value for a position of need. And I've always subscribed to the view that Graham doesn't need a high end investment to get pressure and sacks.
I'm bullish this will be a good fit. Fingers crossed the knee holds up and AO's game gets more refined.
JOK is not Devan Bush.
Unless he becomes another Troy Polamalu - I definitely didn't want Ojulari at 11 - at 50? sure. But I think JOK has a way higher ceiling and a lower floor - so I guess Ojulari is the safer pick but JOK was a more exciting one.
Same. If Ojulari wasn't cleared medically, I would've opted for JOK. But medicals aside, Ojulari was the BPA.
TBH, there really wasn’t anyone taken between 42 and 49 that I preferred to Ojulari. Obviously, there’s some extra risk with the knee. That’s priced in.
Looking forward to seeing Ojulari getting around our tackles in spring and summer practices. Are we having spring practices?
I was surprised Ojulari was still available when the 2nd round started. And, he kept lingering. I was hopeful he’d still be available at 42, but I was doubtful. Then, they traded down again, which I loved, and I was sure that was it, he couldn’t possibly be available at 50. Beyond thrilled that the Giants were able to ultimately select Ojulari when they did. Incredible value where we got him.
robbie in his thread this AM makes a good point on whether Giants have enough d (DL + OLBs) to stop other teams' running game at the edges. I didn't see a lot of tape of AO against the run, so for starters, he may be more situational than a 3-down guy.
Same goes for 170lb WR's who will never play a full season.
They just extended the season to boot.
My broader opinion is the Giants entered the draft with the need to improve their edge, and while Ojulari may ultimately not be that guy, I don't think any of us can complain with rolling the dice on him as that guy.
At least this seems like the opposite approach to addressing the edge position compared to drafting a Clint Sintim.
I know some make the argument that he’s more of a joker or wildcard on defense, as the bulk of his snaps came lined up over a TE, or even at CB at Notre Dame, but we saw how that experiment worked last year with Isaiah Simmons.
Not that he won’t be good, but I just think he needs a lot of development and refinement, and he doesn’t have a true position.
for passing downs, they will use 3 CB and 3 S and the only LB on the field will be martinez. they isn't a role on the team for someone like KOH
I believe that AO is a better fit and feels a glaring need as both players that started at that position at the beginning of last season missed the majority of the season with injuries (and never were that great to begin with). If the Giants tried to run a 3-3-5 with JOK at a LB position, the defense would be terribly undersized. At a safety position he replaces Peppers who was one of our best performers last season.
Azeez,the fact the Giants are doing Osi comparisons,I don't think that's a good sign.
JPP kept me happy for a while. Maybe Ojulari can also.
Tryon was not as good as people here made him out to be. When people played Washington they didn’t fear Tryon
Quote:
Longer, more multiple and instinctive.
Tryon was not as good as people here made him out to be. When people played Washington they didn’t fear Tryon
It's about upside, the Bucs saw it too. If Ojulari struggles versus the run like I think he will, it will limit his value.
I don't have a problem with him in the 2nd. Reminds me of another EDGE we drafted in the second round (4 spots higher) in 2003.
Where does he play when you have Peppers Ryan and X? At linebacker? What year did the last successful 6-1 215lb linebacker play?
Look at how far he slid. He's got talent but that size really makes it hard to utilize him.
I don't have a problem with him in the 2nd. Reminds me of another EDGE we drafted in the second round (4 spots higher) in 2003.
I too love JOK'sJOK's game, but as has been mentioned, how do you keep a 215 lb LBer when you already have almost the same player in Peppers?
I love Ojulari. I didnt like the talk of him at 11. I would've been OKAY with him at 20...even though I liked Paye more. At 50 I was going nuts at my parents house.
Where does he play when you have Peppers Ryan and X? At linebacker? What year did the last successful 6-1 215lb linebacker play?
Look at how far he slid. He's got talent but that size really makes it hard to utilize him.
a guy with that frame in an NFL strength program would not add size?
I believe that AO is a better fit and feels a glaring need as both players that started at that position at the beginning of last season missed the majority of the season with injuries (and never were that great to begin with). If the Giants tried to run a 3-3-5 with JOK at a LB position, the defense would be terribly undersized. At a safety position he replaces Peppers who was one of our best performers last season.
Quality post.
robbie in his thread this AM makes a good point on whether Giants have enough d (DL + OLBs) to stop other teams' running game at the edges. I didn't see a lot of tape of AO against the run, so for starters, he may be more situational than a 3-down guy.
He's well-rounded. Not just a rush guy. He has some coverage in him too. Watch Skinner's take on him.
So getting him when we did seemed like excellent value for a position of need. And I've always subscribed to the view that Graham doesn't need a high end investment to get pressure and sacks.
I'm bullish this will be a good fit. Fingers crossed the knee holds up and AO's game gets more refined.