BJ Ojulari NFL Draft Overview
Position: EDGE
Height: 6′-3″
Weight: 248 pounds
School: LSU
2023 NFL Draft: BJ Ojulari Scouting Report
BJ Ojulari comes from a strong LSU program and boasts an NFL pedigree with his brother, Azeez, playing linebacker for the New York Giants. The younger Ojulari excelled at the EDGE position in his three seasons in Baton Rouge. How he wins is often with a relentless motor and elite speed and first step. These factors are vital for pass rushers in the NFL and should help Ojulari immensely in transitioning to the next level. The potential for Ojulari is massive, putting it all together is the big question in league circles.
Strengths
- Elite first step off the ball;
- Plus overall speed;
- Well-balanced feet;
- Keeps feet moving through initial contact;
- Wide array of pass rush moves;
- Can dip his shoulders to get around offensive linemen;
- Strong, effective secondary moves;
- Can also win against tight ends.
Weaknesses
- Needs to play stouter against the run;
- Below average strength to disrupt gaps;
- Puts himself in blockable positions too often;
- Watches the ball when it’s not coming his way;
- Has to play with lower pad level;
- Lazy hands that limit his effectiveness in pass sets.
NFL Comparison: Harold Landry
Teams With Need At Position: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams
Projection: Late Round 1 / Early Round 2
Bottom Line on BJ Ojulari
Ojulari will be well-versed in the competition he’ll be facing in the NFL with some inside information from his brother. This is an important aspect of his profile that could put him ahead of other prospects at the EDGE position. Even though he’s inconsistent against the run, his excellent bend and pure speed to get to opposing quarterbacks will also push him up, draft boards. The one area of improvement hanging over Ojulari is the lack of size and power for a traditional EDGE rusher. This can be remedied in multiple ways, including, his maturation, development, and using additional resources provided by an NFL strength staff.
The team that drafts Ojulari will be getting an NFL-ready player to begin the season. As the 2023 campaign progresses, he should see his snap count increase along with his production. His best fit is likely going to a contending team where he can learn behind a veteran early on. If Ojulari is a quick learner, he could be a force to be reckoned with not only this season but beyond.
*Stats and research courtesy of NFL.com and Pro Football Network (PFN).
Main Photo: Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports
