Monitoring Azeez Ojulari
March 4th, 2025
Free agent OLB Azeez Ojulari.
Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht sure preferred to shop for an edge rusher at the Dollar Store bargain bin in past years rather than at Urban Outfitters.
And when you’re trying to find a lost gem at such an important position, you often get what you pay for.
Licht did once find Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett at Dollar Store. Can Licht repeat that?
One guy Joe had his eye on since last year is Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari. No, he’s not Jason Pierre-Paul, but maybe, just maybe, he could be another Shaq.
Ojulari, 24, last year had his second-highest sack total (six sacks) since his rookie season when he had eight. What’s important to factor is that Ojulari only played 11 games last year.
So Ojulari averaged just over a sack every two games. Extend that out to 17 games and he’d have eight sacks. Not double-digits, but it’s not Joe Tryon-Shoyinka numbers, either.
The problem with this Ojulari is that he’s brittle, so he may come at a nice discount. Ojulari hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year in 2021.
Is Ojulari the answer for an edge rusher? Unlikely, just based on availability alone.
Would he be a great guy coming off the bench or being a spot starter? Probably.
Even if the Bucs signed Ojulari in free agency next wee, they still need a reliable, proven and productive edge rusher.
March 4th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Only as a depth piece. Cant depend on a dude who has missed so much time.
March 4th, 2025 at 10:48 am
Will Joe sleep if Licht goes with YaYa, Braswell and Ojulari as an OLB rotation? Maybe they think Braswell is on the cusp. Not sure I agree but we’ll soon see. Edge has to be addressed in free agency as you can’t rely on getting production out of the 19th pick in the draft. In just a few days, we’ll see what the Bucs strategy is for edge. Can’t wait!
March 4th, 2025 at 10:52 am
We have a lot of free agents and a lot of draft needs.
Our draft will totally depend on who we re-sign.
Thanks to @defense rules for making the list.
It’s a looooong list.
March 4th, 2025 at 10:53 am
Pass
No more Deans.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:03 am
Joe … ‘The problem with this Ojulari is that he’s brittle’.
All you needed to say Joe. Pass.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:03 am
This guy is the real deal when healthy.. he is really really good
March 4th, 2025 at 11:05 am
teacherman … I’m REALLY hoping that we re-sign our key UFAs quickly. Don’t want them hitting the market.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:05 am
He didn’t stand out when we whipped the Giants that’s for sure.
March 4th, 2025 at 11:05 am
The Bucs need more than just starters on D they need depth. I’m sure Licht knows this though!
March 4th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Go get Kayvon Thibodeaux. Buy low. Great upside. Broken wrist last year. 11.5 sacks the year before. Giants have no clue what they are doing. We can take advantage of that
March 4th, 2025 at 11:58 am
Best ABILITY is AVAIL-ABILITY — don’t need injury-prone projects!
March 4th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Pass.
March 4th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Cheap enough for depth ok, we have six picks and a lot of third round talent flying around in the NFL now days and we have a few. Corner in the first if not a D-line guy ready to play. I guess if they really want one WR second. I’m thinking we need those first two picks to be defense though. There’s a lot ways it says, so JL we love you! Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
March 4th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
brittle+florida heat= buyer beware!
March 4th, 2025 at 12:52 pm
We do not need any more brittle players. That’s the reason why we traded off Carlton Davis and the reason why we’re shopping Jamel Dean.
March 4th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
I wouldn’t be mad if we drafted somebody similar on the inside of the D line again Aeneas pebble violent hands and good technique not an edge but could put him out there and he would work the heck out of tackles and guards
March 4th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Sports Illustrated is reporting Joey Bosa could be cut…..he would be a great addition for us.
March 4th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
Brittleness is far away from goodliness.
March 4th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
Only if there is such thing as a “no-play, no-pay” contract.
March 4th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Bradberry released too!
March 4th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Bradbury = Slay = stale bread.
March 4th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
Ojulari at the right price is worth a shot. He is unbelievably quick and when healthy every OC has to pay attention to him. Still very young. Change of scenery might be just what he needs.
March 4th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Now that Davante Adams has been released, the Bucs should sign him – then have him sit and learn from a real HOF’er in Mike Evans.
March 4th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
So much on the Christmas list. So little wiggle room.
March 4th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Looks like the Bears are not going to tender LB Jack Sanborn. Coud this be one of Licht’s Dollar Store signings? Thoughts on this guy? Turns 25 in July.
48 games with 19 starts for the Bears over the last three seasons. 164 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, five passes defensed, and a fumble recovery.
March 4th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
pass I think
man it’s harder to get a good edge rusher than a darn quarterback these days
March 4th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
Sounds like another talented guy who’s wearing street clothes on game day. I believe the Buc’s have too many of those type players already.