The New York Giants‘ defense endured a plethora of injuries in 2020. In particular, many of the injuries occurred at the edge rusher position. Both starting edge rushers, Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, suffered season-ending injuries.
Lorenzo Carter will return to the starting lineup this season. He has participated in OTA’s this week and looks sharp. Many were surprised to see him on the practice field. Carter has returned and he is joined by a new arrival on the practice field. Rookie edge rusher Azeez Ojulari was an exciting draft pick for the Giants in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. The Georgia edge rusher will be a huge addition to the Giants’ defense.
Lorenzo Carter and Azeez Ojulari stats and highlights
The New York Giants’ edge rusher position seems to be improving steadily. They have added mid-round draft picks, like Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines, over the years, but the investment in a first-round talent like Azeez Ojulari is telling. The Giants recognize a weakness on the edge and have now fully addressed it.
Azeez Ojulari had been mocked to the Giants with the 11th overall pick pre-draft. He ended up in New York, but not until pick 50. That is incredible value for the Giants. Ojulari recorded an impressive 9.5 sacks in his breakout 2020 season. He also totaled 12.5 tackles for loss and an incredible 4 forced fumbles. Ojulari was credited with 35 pressures by PFF in 2020. He’s a bendy speed-rusher with a sick pass-rush move that beats down left tackles
Lorenzo Carter and Azeez Ojulari have more in common than playing for the Giants. Both of these players are speedy pass-rushers that played for the Georgia Bulldogs. The Giants’ new Georgia edge-rushing duo could be an imposing force for offenses to gameplan around.
Lorenzo Carter played in only five games in 2020. However, Carter’s play during those five games was impressive. The Giants finally felt confident in their edge-rushing with Carter. He racked up a sack and 7 pressures in those five games and looked faster and stronger than he had in the past.
Unfortunately, the duo of Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines was not keeping opposing offensive linemen up at night. The Giants recognized this and made it a priority to upgrade the position. They feel they have done that by adding Azeez Ojulari to the mix. Lorenzo Carter and Azeez Ojulari could be a dangerous tandem in 2021 as the Giants hope to improve their pass-rush.