The Detroit Lions lost Marcus Davenport for the season, which means they could test the trade market and land someone like edge defender Azeez Ojulari. A second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Georgia product made an immediate impact for the New York Giants, recording eight sacks, 49 tackles, and 13 quarterback hits as a rookie under then-head coach Joe Judge. However, he never matched those numbers, in large part because he’s not as much of a schematic fit for current head coach Brian Daboll.
Azeez Ojulari has been a reliable pass rusher over the past three seasons, but a trade to a different scheme could bring out the best in the impending free agent. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the Giants could trade the veteran, and while the Lions have a clear need with Davenport sidelined, they could have to fend off the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers for his services.
Chiefs, Panthers Could Fight Lions In Azeez Ojulari Trade Talks
The Kansas City Chiefs are perhaps the NFL’s luckiest 3-0 team. This team is a few bad bounces away from being 0-3 right now, as Kansas City’s passing offense not looking like its usual unstoppable self, and it might not improve this year. Travis Kelce is getting older, Marquise Brown is probably done for the season, and first-round pick Xavier Worthy isn’t ready to run a full route tree quite yet. While Patrick Mahomes and budding star Rashee Rice can keep the offense functional, this team might need to trade for a defensive playmaker like Azeez Ojulari if they want to win their third Super Bowl in as many seasons.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones remains unblockable, but he’s the only consistent threat on the defensive line. Former first-round pick George Karlaftis has not played up to his usual standard through three games, Mike Danna is nothing more than a depth piece, and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah has done nothing to remove the ‘bust’ label from his rookie season. This team must find another player who can get after the quarterback, and Azeez Ojulari is one of the best options on the trade block. With most of the elite quarterbacks in the AFC, the Chiefs could use someone to slow down opposing pass rushers.
Are the Panthers Legit?
Based on Week 3’s action, Bryce Young was the clear problem with the Carolina Panthers. Despite the perceived lack of talent on offense, all the pieces started to click with a competent quarterback in Andy Dalton leading the charge. At 1-2, Carolina is only one game out of the NFC South lead with 14 games left to play. While most believed the Panthers would sell at the trade deadline, Dalton could have this team looking to acquire someone like Azeez Ojulari.
Dalton’s presence will not fix Carolina’s defense, which could use another pass rusher or two. Free agent signee Jadeveon Clowney recorded his first sack in Week 3, but the veteran cannot power an adequate pass rush all by himself. Azeez Ojulari won’t turn this unit into the 1985 Chicago Bears, but the trade candidate could add some much-needed depth to the unit. With Clowney, Ojulari, and a healthy D.J. Wonnum, Carolina could make a push for a weak NFC South.
Main Photo: Jeff Lange – USA Today Sports
